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JAPACAR
Terms of Service

Last updated: April 12, 2026

These Terms of Use (the "Terms") govern the cross-border used-vehicle matching service "JAPACAR" operated by Japanese Car Trading LLC (the "Company"). By using the Service (the "Service"), you agree to these Terms.

Article 1. Content of the Service and the Company's Role

The Service provides a platform for overseas buyers to purchase used vehicles sourced from Japan. In supported transactions, vehicle purchase payments are received into the Company's bank accounts (or accounts/payment methods designated by the Company). For supported transactions, the Company purchases the vehicle from the Japanese listing party (seller/supplier) and resells it to the Buyer. For those transactions, the Company is the seller to the Buyer, and the Buyer is not a direct party to a separate buyer–seller contract with the Japanese listing party.

Listing information is primarily based on the listing party's declarations and photographs; it does not mean the Company guarantees third-party grading for every vehicle. The Company may manage listings within a reasonable scope. Cancellation, refunds and remedies depend on the transaction stage and are handled in accordance with these Terms, the applicable sales contract issued through the Service, and applicable law.

The Service is not an auction house and does not operate as an auction intermediary.

Article 2. Definition of Terms

  • The term "JAPACAR" shall mean the service operated by Japanese Car Trading LLC.
  • "Member" means a customer who has agreed to these Terms of Use and has registered as a member of "JAPACAR".
  • "Seller" (listing party) means a member who lists vehicles on the Service in Japan. In supported transactions, the Company is the seller to the Buyer for the vehicle sale; the listing party supplies the vehicle to the Company.
  • "Buyer" means a person or member who purchases a vehicle using the Service. In supported transactions, the Buyer's counterparty for the vehicle sale is the Company.

Article 3. Agreement to the Terms of Use and Changes to the Terms of Use

1．Agreement and application of the Terms of Service

The Terms of Service shall apply to all relationships between the member and the Company in relation to the use of the Service.

2．Changes to the Terms of Service

The Company may change the Terms of Service as necessary without the consent of the member.

After changes are made to the Terms of Service, the Company shall make them known to members so that they can check them. If you use the service after the revision of the Terms of Use, or if you do not delete your user information and take the necessary procedures within two weeks after the revision, you will be deemed to have agreed to the revision of the Terms of Use. The Company shall not be held responsible for any damage caused by revisions or changes to this agreement.

Article 4. Membership Registration

1．Registration

Membership registration requires the registration of accurate information, such as name, address, and contact information, by the person who wishes to become a member.

Prohibition of multiple registrations

Members, including corporations, are not allowed to register multiple memberships.

3．Refusal or Cancellation of Membership Registration

In the event that any of the following items apply, the Company shall be able to refuse approval of membership registration or cancel membership registration.

  • A gangster, a gangster, a person who has not been a member of a gangster for less than five years, a quasi-member of a gangster, a person belonging to a company related to a gangster, a general assembly shop, etc. Terrorists, etc. designated by the Japanese or foreign governments as subject to economic sanctions, symbiotic persons such as gangsters, and other equivalent persons (hereinafter, all of the above are collectively referred to as "anti-social forces"). When it is determined that.
  • Registration is possible for minors, but with the consent of their parent or guardian.
  • In addition, when we judge that it is inappropriate as a member.

Article 5. Prohibition of members

1．Members shall not do the following acts.

  • Acts that violate laws and regulations or these Terms of Use
  • Registration of false member information
  • The act of lending a member ID to another person or disclosing information unnecessarily
  • Other acts that are not suitable for smooth use of this service

2．Prohibition of use for services, etc.

We may prohibit users who have taken the measures in this section from using the services provided by us in the future.

3．Our disclaimer

Our company shall not be liable for any damage caused by the measures in this article.

Article 6. Member withdrawal

1．Procedure for withdrawal

Members can withdraw from the membership if they follow the prescribed procedures and our company permits it. However, if there is an active transaction (e.g. a reserved or paid vehicle) on this site, you cannot withdraw if the settlement and shipping of the contracted car are not completed. You may withdraw after completing an unfinished transaction.

2．Our disclaimer

Our company shall not be liable for any damage caused by the measures in this article.

Article 7. Handling of personal information, etc.

1．Privacy policy

In addition to these Terms of Use, we handle personal information in accordance with our privacy policy.

2．Agree to privacy policy

The member agrees to the privacy policy before using this service.

3．Use by members

Members shall be able to use personal information, etc. obtained through this service within the scope of use of this service, and shall not use it for any other purpose.

4．purpose of use

We can use the personal information, etc. that we acquire for the purposes specified in each of the following items.

  • Use within the range required for the provision of this service
  • Questionnaire and analysis for improving services
  • When we deem it necessary to resolve disputes between members
  • When it is necessary to share personal information with our business partners in order to operate this service smoothly
  • When it is determined that disclosure is necessary in accordance with the law
  • Other purposes stipulated in the privacy policy

Article 7A. Use of AI-Assisted Support

1．AI auto-reply feature

To respond to your inquiries quickly, we use AI (artificial intelligence) for automated chat replies. This feature is provided through AI service providers located in the United States (please see our privacy policy for the names of these providers and links to their respective privacy policies).

2．Handling of submitted content

Information you enter in our chat or contact forms may be sent to these AI service providers in order to generate a response. Their handling of the data is governed by their own privacy policies.

3．Information you should not enter

For your safety, please do not enter the following into our chat or contact forms:

  • Passwords or PINs
  • Credit card numbers
  • Government identification numbers
  • Bank account numbers
  • Any other sensitive information that could cause harm if leaked

4．Safeguards and your responsibility

As a precaution, we have a safeguard that detects and removes such information before it reaches the AI. However, this safeguard is not perfect — please take care not to enter sensitive information yourself.

5．Attached files

Any images or PDF files you share through our chat are stored by us for the purpose of responding to your inquiry, and are managed in accordance with our privacy policy.

Article 8. Vehicle transactions (Buyer)

The provisions of this Article apply to supported transactions (Export Starter Plan and Export Pro Plan). For advertising-only plan transactions, see Article 8A below.

1．Platform role

The Company operates the Service to enable Buyers to purchase used vehicles sourced from Japan.

2．Contract parties (supported transactions)

For transactions where the Company purchases from the listing party and resells to the Buyer, the vehicle sales contract is between the Buyer and the Company. The Buyer pays the price to the Company (or as designated by the Company). All vehicle prices are denominated in USD. The Company may issue invoices and shipping documents accordingly, including where the Company is named as shipper on the B/L for security and operational reasons.

3．Listing information

Vehicles are listed by members in Japan. Listing means entering information on the Service and publishing a vehicle for sale. Listings must concern vehicles located in Japan that can lawfully be exported. Listing information is primarily based on the listing party's declarations; the Buyer should review photos and descriptions carefully before purchase.

4．Listing party obligations (summary)

Listing parties must post accurate information, update listings if the vehicle changes, and cooperate with the Company for export and settlement. If a listing causes damage to the Company or other members, the listing party may be liable in accordance with these Terms and applicable agreements.

5．Purchase

"Purchase" means completing the purchase flow designated by the Company (such as payment via "Buy" or bank transfer proof upload) after a quote request where applicable. The sales contract for the vehicle is concluded between the Buyer and the Company at the time designated by the Company .

6．Buyer's obligations

The Buyer must confirm details on the Service before purchasing. The Buyer shall not obtain or use a listing party's direct contact details for off-platform deals, and shall not pay or take delivery outside the Company's payment flow where the Service requires payment through the Company.

7．Cancellation and cancellation fees

(1) "Reserve" on this service means a reservation (hold) of the vehicle for the buyer. It does not by itself constitute the conclusion of a sales contract.

(2) Cancellation fees are determined based on the stage of the transaction as follows:

  • Before payment for the vehicle (as designated on the Platform): The Buyer may cancel the quote request. No cancellation fee applies.
  • After payment is confirmed, before document shipment: Cancellation is not permitted in principle. If the Company approves a cancellation in exceptional circumstances, all or part of amounts already paid may not be refunded.
  • After document shipment, before vessel loading: Amounts already paid plus actual costs incurred by the Company (de-registration fees, document preparation fees, vehicle transport fees, etc.) may be charged.
  • After vessel loading: Cancellation is not permitted in principle. If cancellation is unavoidable, the Buyer shall bear the full cost of shipping, customs, insurance, and all other expenses already incurred.

The specific cancellation fee amount is calculated by the Company based on the stage of the transaction and actual costs incurred, and is displayed on the Deal page or Guide page of the Service.

8．Car Inspection Service

(1) The Buyer may opt in to the "Car Inspection Service" (hereinafter "Inspection Service") as a paid add-on at the time of requesting a quote. Under the Inspection Service, a third-party inspector arranged by the Company verifies the actual vehicle against the listing information on the Service at the export yard before shipment.

(a) Inspection Items and Tolerances

The following items are checked. Differences within the stated tolerance are treated as "no discrepancy."

  • VIN (Vehicle Identification Number): Must match exactly. No tolerance.
  • Mileage: A difference of 1,000 km or less from the listed value is within tolerance.
  • Engine Displacement: A difference of 50 cc or less from the listed value is within tolerance.
  • Make/Model: Must match exactly.
  • Fuel Type: Must match exactly.
  • Exterior Color: Must match exactly.
  • Transmission: Must match exactly.
  • Number of Doors: Must match exactly.
  • Steering: Must match exactly.
  • Drive System: Must match exactly.
  • Selected Options: Presence or absence of options selected by the listing party at the time of listing is verified. Options not selected by the listing party are not checked.

Note: The initial registration date and manufacture date are not checked.

The Inspection Service does not include a drive test (road test). Defects or malfunctions that can only be detected through actual driving are outside the scope of this service. The Buyer acknowledges this limitation when opting in to the Inspection Service.

(b) Odometer Falsification Check

As part of the Inspection Service, the inspector checks for signs of odometer (mileage meter) falsification. If falsification is detected and the listing party did not disclose it at the time of listing, the Buyer is notified, the vehicle will not be shipped, and the transaction will be cancelled. This provision does not apply where the listing party has disclosed at the time of listing that the odometer may have been replaced, is of unknown accuracy, or has been tampered with.

(c) If Discrepancies Are Found

If discrepancies exceeding the tolerances above are found, the Buyer may choose to either (i) accept the discrepancies and continue the transaction, or (ii) request cancellation of the transaction.

(d) Refund Upon Cancellation Due to Discrepancies

If the Buyer cancels the transaction due to discrepancies found by the Inspection Service, the Buyer shall receive a refund of the amount paid, minus the Inspection Service fee (which is non-refundable). Bank transfer fees and exchange rate losses may also be deducted from the refund amount.

(e) Cancellation Request Deadline

The Buyer must submit a cancellation request within 5 business days from the date the inspection results are displayed on the Service. If no request is submitted within this period, the Buyer is deemed to have accepted the discrepancies, and the listing party may proceed with the transaction.

(f) Buyers Who Did Not Opt In to the Inspection Service

For Buyers who did not opt in to the Inspection Service, the Company will investigate and respond only where the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) on the delivered vehicle does not match the VIN stated on the Invoice. Claims regarding other inspection items listed above will not be accepted.

(g) Relationship to Official Pre-Shipment Inspection (PSI)

The Inspection Service is distinct from any official Pre-Shipment Inspection required by the laws of the destination country. Official PSI is a regulatory requirement of the destination country and must be arranged separately by the Buyer.

9．Cooling-off

Vehicle transactions through this Service constitute mail-order sales (tsushin hanbai) and are not subject to the cooling-off provisions under the Act on Specified Commercial Transactions of Japan.

Article 8A. Advertising-only plan transactions

1．Company's role

For transactions under the advertising-only plan, the Company provides vehicle listing services and inquiry tools (message board, DM, etc.) to facilitate communication between the listing party and the Buyer. The Company does not act as the seller of the vehicle.

2．Contract parties

The vehicle sales contract is concluded directly between the listing party and the Buyer. All aspects of the transaction, including payment, vehicle delivery, and export document arrangements, are handled directly between the listing party and the Buyer.

3．Services not provided

For advertising-only plan transactions, the Company does not provide: custody or transfer of vehicle purchase funds; issuance of Proforma Invoices or Invoices; B/L shipper services; or shipping and customs arrangements.

4．Disclaimer

The Company assumes no liability for any disputes arising between the listing party and the Buyer in connection with advertising-only plan transactions (including but not limited to non-payment, vehicle defects, cancellations, and refunds). The Company is not obliged to arbitrate or mediate.

Article 9. Others

Members are obliged to cooperate in good faith so that the Company can operate the Service safely. If disputes arise between members, or between a member and the Company, the Company may propose a resolution but is not obliged to arbitrate or mediate.

Article 10. Governing law and court of jurisdiction

The governing law regarding the establishment and effect of this service contract shall be Japanese law, and the court of jurisdiction shall be the Tokyo District Court for all disputes arising from this service.