Sanukicorporation.com Pricing: Understanding the Costs

When you’re looking at importing a vehicle, the bottom line — the price — is always a critical factor.

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Sanukicorporation.com lists vehicles with FOB (Free On Board) prices, but with a catch: most require you to log in to see them.

This strategy means you need to commit to registering before getting clear pricing, which can be a bit of a hurdle for initial comparisons.

However, understanding the components of the overall cost is key, whether the prices are hidden or not.

FOB Pricing Explained

FOB, or Free On Board, is a common incoterm (International Commercial Term) used in international shipping.

It defines the point at which responsibility for goods shifts from the seller to the buyer.

For Sanukicorporation.com, the FOB price is what you pay for the vehicle itself, loaded onto the ship at the Japanese port.

• What FOB Covers: The FOB price typically includes:
  • The cost of the vehicle itself.
  • Inland transportation in Japan to the port.
  • Loading charges at the Japanese port.
  • Any export documentation fees in Japan.
• What FOB Does NOT Cover: This is crucial. FOB does not include:
  • Ocean freight (shipping cost from Japan to your destination port).
  • Marine insurance (optional, but highly recommended).
  • Customs duties and taxes in your country.
  • Port charges at the destination (e.g., unloading fees, storage).
  • Inland transportation from your destination port to your final destination.
• Login Barrier for Pricing: As observed on the homepage, specific vehicle prices are hidden behind a “Please Login” prompt. This means detailed price comparisons for specific models are not readily available to the public. For instance, a 2007 Nissan Serena might show “Please Login” instead of its FOB: 4,410 USD listed in the backend. This can be a point of friction for potential buyers.

Additional Costs to Consider Beyond FOB

The FOB price is just the starting point.

To get the total landed cost of your vehicle, you need to factor in several other expenses. How to Buy From Sanukicorporation.com Auction

Sanukicorporation.com offers a “Freight Rates” calculator, which is a good step towards transparency on one major component of these additional costs.

• Ocean Freight: This is the cost of shipping the vehicle from Japan to your chosen port. Sanuki Corporation claims “Fast Shipping Service” and “good connection to all shipping lines,” suggesting they can arrange this efficiently. The “Freight Rates” calculator on their site is designed to help you estimate this.
  • Calculation Factors: Freight cost depends on the vehicle’s size, destination port, and current shipping rates.
  • Estimated Cost: For a typical car, ocean freight can range from a few hundred to over a thousand US dollars, depending on the route and current market conditions.
• Marine Insurance: While optional, insuring your vehicle during transit is highly recommended. Accidents, natural disasters, or theft can occur, and insurance protects your investment. This cost is usually a small percentage of the vehicle’s value.
  • Coverage: Typically covers loss or damage during sea transit.
  • Recommendation: Always get insurance for high-value international shipments.
• Import Duties and Taxes: These are levied by your country’s customs authority upon the vehicle’s arrival. Rates vary significantly by country, vehicle type, age, and engine size. It’s essential to research your local import regulations thoroughly before purchase.
  • Country-Specific: Rates differ wildly from country to country. For example, some countries have high duties on older vehicles, while others might offer exemptions for classic cars.
  • Vehicle-Specific: The type of vehicle (passenger car, truck, bus) and its engine capacity (CC) often influence the duty amount.
• Destination Port Charges: Once the vehicle arrives at your port, there will be charges for unloading, storage, and handling by the port authority or local clearing agent. These can vary and might include demurrage if the vehicle isn’t cleared quickly.
  • Local Agent Fees: You’ll often need a local clearing agent to handle customs declarations and port logistics.
  • Storage Fees: If the vehicle isn’t picked up promptly, daily storage fees can accrue.
• Inland Transportation (from port to your location): Unless you live at the port, you’ll need to arrange for the vehicle to be transported from the port to your home or preferred location. This can involve flatbed towing services or driving the vehicle yourself (if it’s roadworthy and legal).
  • Distance Dependent: The further your location from the port, the higher this cost will be.
  • Vehicle Condition: If the vehicle isn’t drivable, towing is the only option, adding to the expense.

Auction Fees and Handling Fees

If you’re buying through their auction services, there will be additional fees beyond the vehicle’s successful bid price.

Sanukicorporation.com mentions a “Minimal Handling Fee” but it’s important to understand all associated charges.

• Auction Fees: These are levied by the Japanese auction house itself for facilitating the sale. These fees are standard across all auction-based exporters.
• Sanuki Corporation’s Handling Fee: This is their service charge for managing the auction process, documentation, and coordination on your behalf. They state it’s “minimal.”
• Bank Transfer Fees: Your bank will likely charge a fee for international wire transfers, and the recipient bank might also have incoming transfer fees. These can add up for large sums.
• Currency Exchange Rates: When dealing with USD (FOB price) and converting from your local currency, the exchange rate applied by your bank or payment provider can impact the final cost. Always factor in potential fluctuations and conversion fees.

In summary, while Sanukicorporation.com provides some pricing tools and mentions “minimal handling fees,” the requirement to log in for basic vehicle prices means that a comprehensive, upfront cost assessment relies heavily on post-registration communication and careful self-calculation of all additional, non-FOB expenses.

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