Importing dilemma

[mokele]

Dear fellow drivers!
I need your help.
In a few words: I am trying to buy a Spacegear from an auction in Japan (and Mark from Brave Auto International is being very helpful so far) and bring it to Vancouver, but I want to minimize the cost, as my budget is very limited. I have been given two options by Mark.
1) No broker, ro-ro shipping 150,000 yen, or select a broker of my choice (300-500CAD)
For 5000 dollars (CIF) vehicle it adds roughly 1400 dollars (300 duty, 100 excise tax, 650 GST/PST, 350 broker) or 1050 with no broker
2) Container shipping 125,000 yen plus Al Thompson (Mark's partner) fee of 250 dollars - basically 300 - 350 dollars cheaper (CIF becomes 25,000 yen less plus Al Thompson's fees are 100 less than average), so its a bit cheaper comparing two broker-using options.
Am I missing something? Unloading fee? Other fees?
Any other way to save?
Will appreciate any comment!

[nxski]

I can't comment on how to save for shipping, I bought locally. If a couple hundred dollars is such a big deal for you, are you sure you will be able to handle the cost of making it legal for our roads and the preventative maintenance (which could vary quite a bit depending on the shape of the vehicle upon arrival)?

[thelazygreenfox]

Mo
It comes down to time or money... If you have the time (and patience) deal with the CBSA inspections, temporary insurance and transfers yourself. CBSA can be a beaurocratic handful or not. The wrong clerk can make your life hell.

Make sure you have all the right paperwork if you do it your self. Plan it out well.

If you have the money let your broker do all the work. Simple as that.

TLGF

[mokele]

Thanks a bunch!
My main question was whether I missed anything
I guess that's all

[TardisDeli]

Must ensure vehicle is totally cleaned ready for agricultural inspection here. I don't know if you get a certificate there, but if dirt is found on vehicle here after the thorough inspection here, they can return vehicle to japan at your expense rather than risk any bugs infecting our agriculture system.

Most of us dont import directly ourselves, leave all the hassles and risks to someone else. I heard through the grapevine that a typical charge is $1200 for a local dealer here to import for you, without doing any services for you.

Christine.

[Glenn Delwood]

I got mine from Mark. It was kinda expensive but his cars seem very nice and clean and he's got detailed pics.