a Yamaha MT-07 from Japan Shipped It Overseas by Air

Are you considering importing a motorcycle directly from Japan?

Whether you’re a collector, reseller, or enthusiast,

Japanese motorcycles — especially models like

the Yamaha MT-07 — are known worldwide

for their excellent condition and competitive prices.

In this article, I’ll share my real-life experience of buying

a Yamaha MT-07 from a dealer-only motorcycle auction in Japan,

how it was prepared for export, and

why I ended up shipping it via air freight instead of sea.

This is a complete, step-by-step look at the entire process —

ideal for anyone searching for how to buy,

pack, and ship a motorcycle from Japan internationally.

🔧 Step 1: Purchasing the Yamaha MT-07 from a Dealer-Only Auction in Japan

Unlike public auction platforms such as Yahoo! Auctions,

Japan has specialized dealer-only motorcycle auctions,

accessible only to licensed businesses.

These auctions are where professional

dealers and exporters source high-quality

used bikes for both domestic

resale and international export.

In this case, we received a request from an overseas

client to source a low-mileage Yamaha MT-07.

Based on their requirements, our team directly participated in

a restricted dealer-only auction and successfully

secured the motorcycle on their behalf.

The entire purchasing process —

from bidding to final confirmation —

was handled by us in close coordination with

licensed dealers, ensuring both compliance and quality control.

Highlights:

• The bike had low mileage, excellent condition, and a full inspection report. the bidding, purchase, and ownership transfer.

• The final price was much lower than what you’d pay for a similar bike locally overseas.

✅ Pro Tip: Dealer-only auctions in Japan often provide more reliable listings and professional-grade inspection data. You’ll need a Japanese agent or exporter to participate on your behalf.

🛠️ Step 2: Preparing the Motorcycle for Export

Once the MT-07 arrived at the exporter’s facility,

the preparation for international shipment began.

Inspection & Documentation:

• Confirmed condition matched the auction report.

• Export documents were prepared:

  • Export Certificate (抹消登録証明書)

  • Commercial Invoice

  • Packing List

  • Optional: Bill of Sale or ownership proof for import customs

Optional Preparation:

• Battery disconnected

• Fluids checked or drained (depending on shipping method)

• Light cleaning

• Frame ID & engine number documented

📦 Step 3: Crating and Packing

Proper packing is essential when shipping

motorcycles overseas. For the Yamaha MT-07,

the exporter prepared a custom steel-frame crate,

reinforced with protective material to prevent damage during transit.

Packing materials used:

• Heavy-duty steel or wooden crate

• Foam base and wheel blocks

• Tie-down straps

• Plastic wrap and padding

Photos were taken during the packing process and s

hared with me for transparency.

This step also helped ensure smooth customs clearance on arrival.

🧳 Tip: Always ask for crating photos and dimensions for your shipping quote and customs paperwork.

✈️ Step 4: International Shipping Process – Chose Air Freight Over LCL

Initially, we considered LCL (Less-than-Container Load) shipping,

which is a common choice for single motorcycles.

It’s cost-effective and shares container space with

other shipments, typically taking 4–6 weeks port to port.

However, the end user needed the motorcycle urgently

due to an upcoming track event, so we decided to go with air freight.

🚀 Why We Chose Air Freight:

• Much faster delivery (arrived in less than 1 week after departure)

• Reliable tracking via Air Waybill

• Higher cost, but justified by the timeline

We worked with an experienced international

freight forwarder specializing in vehicle air transport.

The crated MT-07 was delivered to the airport cargo terminal,

cleared through Japanese export customs,

and flown to the destination country.

📄 Required Documents for Air Freight:

• Export Certificate from Japan

• Commercial Invoice & Packing List

• Air Waybill (AWB)

• MSDS (if battery installed or shipped separately)

• Any additional forms required by destination country (emission, compliance, etc.)

🧾 Make sure all documents are accurate and include the chassis number (VIN) and engine number. These are essential for customs clearance.

🛬 Arrival and Customs Clearance

Upon arrival, the bike was processed through

the destination country’s customs,

assisted by a local customs broker.

Since all paperwork was in order, clearance

went smoothly.

The crate was released to the end user directly

from the airport’s cargo terminal. No damage, no delays.

The customer was extremely satisfied —

not just with the condition of the Yamaha MT-07,

but also with how quickly and safely it arrived.

🌍 Final Thoughts: Why Import Motorcycles from Japan?

Buying and shipping a motorcycle from

Japan may seem complicated, but with the right exporter

and freight solution, it’s completely manageable —

even for individual buyers.

Why choose Japan?

• High-quality used motorcycles

• Reliable condition reports

• Well-maintained inventory

• Competitive pricing

• Trusted export agents and logistics partners

Whether you’re sourcing a single

unit or multiple bikes for your dealership,

Japan’s dealer auctions are one of the best-kept

secrets in the motorcycle market.