Shiruba Group
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Japanese vehicle imports for Sri Lanka

We bring your car from Japan wherever you are in the world.

Tell us which car you want. We find it at a Japanese auction, pay for it through our letter of credit, ship it to Hambantota and register it in your name. You'll know the full price before you pay anything.

  • LC-backed imports
  • Duty included in quote
  • Registered in your name

What we take care of for you.

Importing a car means dealing with an auction house, a bank, a shipping line, customs and the DMT. We deal with all of them, so you only need to talk to us.

One price
Vehicle, freight, duty and registration in a single quote
LC-backed
Every purchase runs through a registered letter of credit
Auction-graded
Vehicles sourced with Japanese auction inspection sheets
Your name
Registered with the Department of Motor Traffic for you
Makes we source from Japan
  • Toyota
  • Honda
  • Nissan
  • Suzuki
  • Mazda
  • Mitsubishi
  • Subaru
  • Lexus
  • Daihatsu
  • Isuzu

From Japanese ports to any port.

Cars are driven onto a Ro-Ro ship in Japan and driven off again at any international port. There's no transhipment on the way. Trucks and bigger vehicles can go in a container instead.

JapanNagoya · Kobe · YokohamaHambantotaSri LankaSoutheast AsiaMiddle EastEast AfricaSouthern AfricaEuropeAustraliaNew ZealandSouth AmericaCaribbean
  • Europe
  • Middle East
  • East Africa
  • Southern Africa
  • Southeast Asia
  • Australia
  • New Zealand
  • South America
  • Caribbean
Shipping from Japan to destinations worldwide
Route
Direct
Door to door
45–55 days
Quote
All-inclusive

Two ways we can help.

Most of our customers live in Sri Lanka and want a car from Japan. Others are already in Japan and just need the LC and shipping sorted out.

Buyers in Sri Lanka

Personal import

You pay the CIF value (the car, shipping and insurance) plus Sri Lankan taxes. We take care of everything else.

  • We find and inspect the vehicle in Japan auctions and japanese dealers
  • We will arrange the proforma invoice then You have to open the LC
  • If you want we can arrange the customs clearance
Agreed deposit to startSee the steps

Buyers in Japan

LC & shipping service

You have a vehicle in Japan that's going to Sri Lanka, but no LC or shipping agent. We'll provide both.

  • Letter of credit opened through any bank of Sri Lanka
  • Export paperwork and shipping from Japan
  • Arrival and clearance at Hambantota
No deposit requiredSee the steps

Five steps from request to registration.

  1. 1

    Request

    Share the model, year and budget you have in mind.

  2. 2

    Quote

    Receive one all-inclusive landed price in writing.

  3. 3

    Confirm

    Accept the quote. Sri Lankan buyers pay a deposit; no deposit for buyers in Japan.

  4. 4

    Ship

    Your vehicle is bought, inspected and shipped.

  5. 5

    Drive

    Cleared and handed over.

Cars we've brought in through Hambantota.

These are our own photos, taken in Japanese yards and at the Hambantota port gate.

Suzuki Wagon RAt Hambantota
Toyota RoomyAt Hambantota
Isuzu Forward truckShipping

Ask us what it would cost.

Tell us the car you're interested in and we'll send back a full price breakdown. It's free, and you're not committing to anything.

About Shiruba Group.

We're a Japan Based company that exports vehicles and machineries from Japan for our customers. We deal with the auctions, No Brokers , No hidden charges , Your Dream Vehicle , direct from japan to your doorstep.

One company handles your whole import.

Buying a car from Japan normally means working with an exporter, a bank, a shipping agent and a clearing agent. With us, it's one company.

Once we've agreed a price, we're responsible for the rest: finding the car, paying for it through our LC, shipping it to Hambantota.

We also work with buyers already in Japan who have a vehicle for Sri Lanka but no letter of credit or shipping company. We provide the LC and shipping for them.

Company details

Registered name
Shiruba Group
Sourcing
Japanese auctions and Japanese Dealers
Port of entry
Hambantota and Colombo

How we do business.

Transparent pricing

You see the full cost before you pay anything, and that's the price you pay.

Documented transactions

Payments go through a bank letter of credit, so there is always a record.

Honest vehicle condition

We send you the auction grade and inspection sheet, so you know what you're getting.

Regular updates

We'll message you when the car is bought, when it ships and when it clears customs.

Minimum customs duty

We prepared the documents in the way that results in the minimum possible customs duties

How your import works, step by step.

From your first message to picking up your keys, here's exactly what happens and roughly when.

Which service do you need?

Personal import: you're in Sri Lanka and want a vehicle from Japan. You pay the CIF value (car price, shipping and insurance) plus taxes, and we source, finance under our LC and import it for you.

LC & shipping service: you're in Japan with a vehicle to send to Sri Lanka, but no letter of credit or shipping company. We provide both and handle the export to Hambantota.

  1. Day 1

    Tell us what you want

    Send us the make, model, year range and budget. If you're unsure, we'll suggest options that fit.

  2. Within 1–2 days

    Receive your landed quote

    We send a written breakdown of the full cost to you in Sri Lanka.

    • CIF value: the car price in Japan, plus shipping and insurance to Hambantota
    • Customs duty, excise, luxury tax and VAT
    • Clearance, registration and our service fee
  3. When you're ready

    Confirm and pay the deposit

    As a personal import, you pay an agreed deposit once you accept the quote. We then open the letter of credit with our bank and secure the vehicle.

  4. Days 1–14

    Sourcing, purchase and inspection

    We secure a vehicle matching your spec and share its auction sheet. It then passes pre-shipment inspection in Japan.

  5. Days 15–40

    Shipping to Hambantota

    The vehicle is inspected by an international inspection company, loaded at a Japanese port and shipped to Hambantota. We keep you updated on the vessel and arrival date.

  6. Days 40–55

    Documents and vehicle handover

    Before the vehicle arrives, the vehicle documents are delivered to your bank, bank to bank. Once you pay the customs duty, the vehicle is released.

  1. Day 1

    Tell us about your vehicle

    You've bought or chosen a vehicle in Japan and want it in Sri Lanka. Send us the vehicle details and who will receive it in Sri Lanka.

  2. Within 1–2 days

    Receive your service quote

    We send a written quote for the services you need.

    • Letter of credit opened through our bank
    • Export paperwork and shipping to Hambantota (Ro-Ro or container)
    • Customs clearance at Hambantota, if you'd like us to handle it
  3. When you're ready
    No deposit required

    Confirm your order

    Buyers in Japan don't pay a deposit. Confirm the quote and we get started. Payment terms are set out in your written quote.

  4. Days 1–7

    We open the letter of credit

    We open the LC through our bank, so the transaction runs through a documented, bank-backed channel even though you don't hold an LC yourself.

  5. Days 7–14

    Shipping, insurance and export documents

    We arrange everything needed before your vehicle ships:

    • Shipping dates
    • Insurance booking
    • Inspection booking
    • Export certificate and document processing
  6. Days 14–40

    Sea shipping

    We book space on a Ro-Ro carrier or in a container and ship the vehicle to Hambantota. You get updates on the vessel and arrival date.

  7. Days 40–55

    Arrival at Hambantota

    The vehicle arrives at Hambantota International Port. We handle customs clearance if agreed, and release the vehicle to the receiver in Sri Lanka.

Cars, SUVs and trucks, sourced in Japan.

We source to order, from kei cars to refrigerated trucks. Every photo on this page is a vehicle we've actually handled.

What we usually import.

Kei cars and compacts

Small, economical and easy to park. The most popular choice for daily driving.

Wagon RTantoMira e:SRoomy

SUVs and crossovers

More space and ground clearance, with many hybrid options.

Yaris CrossVezelRaizeCX-5

Family cars and MPVs

Sliding doors, flexible seating and room for the whole family.

RoomySientaFreedAxio

Trucks and commercial

Light to heavy-duty trucks, including refrigerated units for cold-chain work.

Isuzu ElfForwardGigaReefers

Vehicles we've sourced and shipped.

Real photos from our yards in Japan and from Hambantota International Port. Tap any photo to view it full size.

What the auction grades mean.

Every Japanese auction car is graded by an independent inspector. We share the sheet with you and explain it before you commit.

6–SNew or nearly new, with delivery mileage only
5Excellent condition, very low mileage
4.5Very good, minimal wear. A popular sweet spot
4Good, with small marks consistent with age
3.5Average, with visible scratches or dents
R / RARepaired accident history. We flag these clearly

Interior condition

AInterior like new
BClean, light wear
CNoticeable wear or stains
DHeavy wear

You'll see the car's condition before you pay.

  • Auction grade and inspection sheet, translated
  • Verified mileage and year of manufacture
  • Photos of the actual vehicle, not stock images
  • Pre-shipment export inspection
  • Chassis and engine numbers matched on arrival

What can be imported into Sri Lanka.

Right-hand drive only

Sri Lanka only registers right-hand drive vehicles, which suits Japanese-market cars perfectly.

Within the age limit

Imported vehicles must be within the current age limit set by the government. We check every car against the latest rules before buying.

Current regulations

Import rules and tax rates are set by gazette and can change. We confirm eligibility for your exact vehicle in your quote.

Can't see your model?

If it's sold in Japan, we can most likely source it, whether it's a kei car or a 10-tonne truck.

Why buyers import through us.

Importing on your own is possible, but it means managing every party and every document yourself. Here's what changes when we do it for you.

With ShirubaImporting yourself
Letter of creditWe open and manage itYou arrange it with your bank
Finding the vehicleWe search auctions and exportersYou find and vet a Japanese seller
Condition checksAuction sheet and vehicle conditionYou rely on the seller's description
Total costOne landed price in writingYou calculate duty and fees yourself
Customs clearanceHandled for youYou appoint and manage a clearing agent
Point of contactOne team throughoutSeveral separate parties

Want us to handle it for you?

Tell us the car you want and we'll send you a free quote.

Frequently asked questions.

Answers to what buyers usually ask before starting an import.

Pricing and payment

Is duty and tax included in the quote?

Yes. Your written quote covers the vehicle, freight, insurance, customs duty, excise, luxury tax, VAT, clearance and registration. The figure you accept is the figure you pay.

What does the CIF value include?

CIF stands for Cost, Insurance and Freight. For a personal import it's the price of the car in Japan, plus insurance and shipping to Hambantota. Sri Lankan taxes are then calculated on this value, and both are included in your written quote.

How much do I pay upfront?

It depends on the service. For a personal import from Sri Lanka, you pay an agreed deposit so we can open the letter of credit and secure the vehicle, with the balance due before release from customs. For our LC and shipping service for buyers in Japan, no deposit is required. Exact terms are always set out in your written quote.

What happens if tax rates change during my import?

Vehicle taxes in Sri Lanka are set by government gazette and can change. If a change affects your vehicle before clearance, we'll explain the impact straight away. Duty and taxes are charged at the rates in force when the vehicle is cleared, so any change is added to or taken off your balance.

The import process

I'm in Japan and already have a vehicle. Can you ship it?

Yes. If you don't have a letter of credit or a shipping company, we provide both: we open the LC through our bank, handle the export paperwork, and ship the vehicle to Hambantota. No deposit is required for this service.

How long does an import take?

Every import is completed within 45 to 55 days from confirmed order to handover. Vehicles sail directly from Japan to Hambantota, with no transhipment stops along the way.

Can I choose the exact vehicle?

Yes. We share the options we find, with auction grade, mileage, photos and inspection details, and only buy once you approve.

Are there age limits on imported vehicles?

Yes. Sri Lanka limits how old imported vehicles can be, and only right-hand drive vehicles are allowed. We only source vehicles that meet current rules.

Documents and registration

What documents do I need?

A certified copy of your NIC, your Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), proof of address and bank details. We help you prepare the affidavit needed for registration.

Whose name is the vehicle registered in?

Yours. Under current rules, the vehicle is registered with the Department of Motor Traffic in the buyer's name within 90 days of customs clearance.

Get a free quote.

Fill in as much as you know about the car you want. We usually reply within one or two working days.

Prefer to speak directly?

Hours
Mon–Sat, 9:00 am – 6:00 pm

Request a quote

Fields marked * are required.

Vehicle you want
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We'll reply within 1–2 working days.

Documents and payment terms.

Documents to prepare

  • Certified copy of your NIC
  • Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN)
  • Proof of address (recent utility bill)
  • Bank account details for the payment record
  • Affidavit for DMT registration (we help prepare it)

Payment terms

  • Full landed cost confirmed in writing first
  • Personal import (Sri Lanka): agreed deposit to open the LC and secure the vehicle
  • LC & shipping (Japan): no deposit required
  • Balance due before release from customs
  • All payments by bank transfer, with receipts
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