Why buy a car from Japan when you can buy it locally? - This is certainly a question that has been disturbing many given the fact that there are many cars in bonds around Kampala and other nearby places. We will break it down for you after interacting with a number of people engaged in the practice.

It's cheaper - It's cheap because you have bought it otherwise if you buy it and you are to sell it, then you will incorporate your profit margin in the price which has to be met by the final buyer of the car.

Flexible Payment Plans - A car being bought from Japan has two payments. The first one is the person selling you the car and the next one is the tax man. The tax man normally charges at least 70% of the cost as taxes. In the case of the bond, you have to meet three plans, the above two and the profit for the seller.

Fresh Is Good - New cars are costly per say so the majority drive reconditioned vehicles which are 'new' anyway. You are better off getting it straight from Japan so that you own it there and then as opposed to getting it from the bond when some valuable parts have been replaced with very basic ones.

Latest Models - If you are in search of latest models, then the online option could offer better results as opposed to the old models that have over stayed in bonds.

Challenges
However, purchasing of vehicles online has it's challenges. You could land on a website that is not genuine, wire your money and never get your car shipped to Africa. The practice depends on trust because you are sending money to people you have never met and not even sure they exist.

This is the sole reason buying cars locally as opposed to buying online is still popular.

How to buy a car from Japan?
Search for a car of your choice, contact the seller on how how and where to pay, the car will then be shipped to Mombasa or Dar-Es-Salaam. You can get it from Mombasa or your clearing agent can help.