Your Top Questions on Direct Import
Importing a car from Japan or the UK to Malaysia: costs, process, protection and after-sales, explained.
Import Costs & Taxes
Q01What costs are involved in importing a car from overseas?
The main costs of importing a car usually include:
- Vehicle purchase price overseas
- International shipping and transit insurance (CIF)
- Import documentation & handling fees
- Applicable Malaysian import duties & taxes
There are also other related costs, such as inspection, registration and insurance.
D'Concept's Direct Import service is built on cost transparency, so you understand how the costs break down and know the expected total before you confirm the purchase.
Q02How is import duty calculated for recond cars in Malaysia?
Duty is not just price × a fixed %. These factors shape it:
Import duty on a recond car is not simply the overseas purchase price multiplied by a fixed percentage.
The actual duty may depend on the car's brand, model, engine capacity, first registration date, age, specification, customs valuation and the applicable tax rates.
The Royal Malaysian Customs Department assesses the duty under the applicable valuation rules and tax regulations.
We provide an estimated import duty based on the car's details for your reference. The final amount is as assessed by the authorities.
Service Fees & Financing
Q03What's the difference between D'Concept's 3% and 8% service fee?
| 3% · Your own funds | 8% · D'Concept funding | |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront payment | 3% · Your own fundsYou cover the purchase and import costs upfront | 8% · D'Concept fundingAbout 20%–30% deposit first (per order) |
| Bank loan | 3% · Your own fundsLoan allowed, but disbursed only after local registration; can't prepay import costs | 8% · D'Concept fundingPass the loan assessment and get approval first, then we buy the car |
| Included | 3% · Your own funds— | 8% · D'Concept funding1–5 year third-party warranty · first service · refurbishment |
| Best for | 3% · Your own fundsFunds ready, OK with the upfront cost | 8% · D'Concept fundingWant a lower upfront outlay |
D'Concept offers two Direct Import service plans, so you can choose the one that suits your financial arrangements.
3% service fee plan | Using your own funds
- You pay for the car, import and related costs with your own funds.
- You can apply for a bank car loan, but you can't use a loan that hasn't been disbursed yet to pay the import costs.
- If the loan is approved, it is disbursed after the car is registered locally.
Suits buyers with funds ready who are happy to cover the upfront import costs themselves.
8% service fee plan | Using D'Concept's funding
- You usually pay a deposit of about 20%–30% first. The actual amount depends on each order.
- You first complete a bank loan eligibility assessment and get a loan approval document that meets the requirements.
- D'Concept only helps buy or bid for the car after the payment arrangement is confirmed.
- Depending on the package, includes a 1–5 year third-party warranty, the first car service, and interior and exterior refurbishment.
Suits buyers who want to reduce their upfront outlay.
For both plans, the service fee base, inclusions, payment terms and free services follow the formal quotation and order terms.
Q04Why can't I use my approved bank loan to pay for the car overseas?
Because loan approval and loan disbursement are two different stages.
Under a typical recond car loan, the bank usually only disburses the loan after the car has completed import, inspection and registration, and the disbursement conditions are met.
So even if your loan is approved, the bank won't pay the overseas purchase price, shipping or import duty in advance.
This is why the 3% plan needs you to prepare the upfront funds yourself, while the 8% plan can offer a different funding arrangement as agreed.
Q05What is the bank loan interest rate for a recond car?
The actual rate depends on:
- The bank and its financing policy
- Loan tenure and amount
- Car year
- Your credit profile
Car loan interest rates for recond cars vary depending on the bank, loan tenure, car year, loan amount, the applicant's credit profile and the financing policy at the time.
Unregistered recond cars generally enjoy the same interest rate as new cars.
You can do a bank loan eligibility assessment first, then choose the right plan based on the bank's actual offer.
Import Process & Vehicle Selection
Q06How long does a Direct Import order usually take?
Once the car is bought, the estimated shipping times are:
- Japan, by sea: about 2.5–3 months
- UK, by sea: about 2.5–3 months
- UK, by air: about 3–4 weeks
These are general reference times, not a guaranteed delivery date.
Actual delivery time may still be affected by sailing schedules, shipping arrangements, customs clearance, inspection, registration and other factors beyond our control.
Q07What's the difference between Direct Import and Ready Stock?
| Direct Import (overseas) | Ready Stock (local) | |
|---|---|---|
| Choice | Direct Import (overseas)Pick an overseas car to suit your budget | Ready Stock (local)Limited to cars already here |
| Seeing the car | Direct Import (overseas)Through inspection reports and checks | Ready Stock (local)View and inspect in person |
| Cost transparency | Direct Import (overseas)Purchase cost, duty and fee shown item by item | Ready Stock (local)Price includes holding cost and margin, usually not itemised |
| Speed | Direct Import (overseas)Wait for shipping and import | Ready Stock (local)Collect soon after the paperwork |
| Best for | Direct Import (overseas)Buyers who value transparency and choice | Ready Stock (local)Buyers who want to see it and drive off fast |
Direct Import (buying overseas)
You choose an overseas car based on your budget and needs, and D'Concept arranges the purchase, shipping and import.
The main advantage is that you can see the car's purchase cost, related import costs and service fee, making the whole buying process more transparent.
Ready Stock (local stock)
The car is already imported into Malaysia. You can usually view it, check its condition and collect it sooner once the paperwork is done.
A ready stock price usually already includes the seller's purchase cost, holding cost, operating cost, risk and profit, so the original import cost isn't necessarily itemised.
Each has its own advantages. Direct Import suits buyers who value cost transparency and freedom of choice; Ready Stock suits buyers who want to see the car first and collect it quickly.
Q08Why isn't Direct Import always much cheaper than local stock?
Our edge is cost transparency, not the lowest price. Compare these side by side:
Direct Import's biggest advantage is cost transparency, not a guarantee of the lowest price in the market.
Even cars of the same model can differ a lot in price because of production year, first registration date, mileage, specification, options, condition and import tax arrangements.
So when comparing prices, don't just look at the final price. Compare the actual specification, condition, taxes and services too.
D'Concept wants you to understand every cost clearly, so you can make a better-informed decision.
Q09I can't see the car in person. How do I know its real condition?
Japanese cars
We provide the available Japanese auction inspection report (Auction Sheet), so you can see the grade, body condition, repair history and other inspection details it records.
We never alter the original report. However, an auction report is an inspection record from a specific point in time.
UK cars
Depending on the car and service arrangement, we can provide these checks:
- A basic on-site condition check arranged by our local partner in the UK.
- A UK HPI report or another applicable vehicle history report, covering available accident, insurance and background records.
- Additional professional inspections or a manufacturer health check, on request.
If the car is still under the manufacturer's warranty, warranty work can be arranged at the official UK dealer before it is exported.
Q10Which cars can't be imported through D'Concept's Direct Import?
Not every overseas car meets Malaysia's import requirements.
Some commercial vehicles, such as certain Toyota Hiace models, may not be importable through our current service channels because of their vehicle category, import permits and related regulations.
Whether a car can be imported depends on its model, use and the import policy at the time.
Q11Which cars may not be worth importing directly from overseas?
Some models assembled locally in Malaysia (CKD), such as the Porsche Cayenne SUV and the Mercedes C200, may not be a good fit for Direct Import from overseas.
This is because locally assembled models and fully imported (CBU) models can have different costs, taxes, specifications and after-sales arrangements.
If a well-priced car with the right specification is already available locally, Direct Import isn't necessarily the better deal.
We'll advise you to compare the total cost and real value of both options.
Delivery, Warranty & Cancellation
Q12Will the car be cleaned, polished and refuelled before delivery?
Under D'Concept's current delivery arrangement, whether you choose the 3% or 8% Direct Import plan, our professional team will detail and polish the car and fill the tank before handing it over to you.
Specific delivery preparation follows the order agreement.
Q13Can customers in Sabah and Sarawak buy too?
Of course!
D'Concept also offers Direct Import to customers in East Malaysia.
After the car arrives at Port Klang, we can complete the relevant checks based on the car and order, coordinate onward shipping to Sabah or Sarawak, and then arrange the applicable registration and delivery.
Actual shipping time, cost and registration process vary by destination and the car.
Q14Can I buy a car warranty longer than three years?
Not the same as a manufacturer's warranty. Cover follows the provider's terms.
Yes, you can choose an extended warranty depending on the car's condition and the third-party warranty provider's packages.
Some eligible cars may qualify for a third-party warranty package of up to seven years.
However, a third-party warranty is not the same as a manufacturer's warranty. Actual coverage, claim limits, waiting period, exclusions and duration follow the provider's formal terms.
Q15If I've paid the deposit and cancel the order, can I get a refund?
Under D'Concept's ordering arrangement:
Before the car is bought or the bid is won
You can request to cancel the order and get a refund. The refund procedure follows the formal order terms.
After the car is bought or the bid is won
As purchase and related costs have already been incurred, the refund may have to wait until the car is resold, and is then settled as agreed by both parties.
We recommend reading the ordering, cancellation and refund terms carefully and confirming the formal written agreement before paying a deposit.
Super Car Club
Q16How do I join the D'Concept Supercar Club? Is there a membership fee?
Join with no membership fee.
About the Supercar ClubD'Concept Supercar Club is a community built for supercar owners, where like-minded owners share the joy of driving, join events together and grow their own supercar circle.
How to become a member
Customers who buy a supercar worth RM1,000,000 or more through D'Concept are eligible to join the D'Concept Supercar Club, with no additional membership fee.
What events does the club hold?
We hold owner events of different sizes from time to time, including:
- D'Concept Drift Event: a drift driving experience
- Supercars & Aircraft Event: an aircraft and supercar meet in Subang
- Supercar Road Trips: drives north to Penang, south to Johor, and even across the border to Singapore
- Exclusive Car Gatherings: meet-ups for supercar owners
Owning a supercar is more than owning a car. It's a chance to meet other owners and enjoy the supercar lifestyle.
Event arrangements and conditions follow the rules announced by D'Concept at the time. Some events may have separate costs, such as meals and accommodation, paid by participants.
Used Car Consignment
Q17Is D'Concept's used car consignment service open to everyone?
Yes! Our used car consignment service is open to the public, not only to existing D'Concept customers.
We offer a transparent consignment service, with different fee rates depending on the customer.
Existing customers, or customers who buy a car through D'Concept after selling
Consignment fee: 3%
All other members of the public
Consignment fee: 4%
The fee is calculated on the selling price agreed by both parties. We don't earn hidden profit by raising the selling price.
Whether or not you've bought a car through D'Concept before, you're welcome to contact us about a valuation and consignment arrangements.
How the fee is calculated, when it is paid and any other related charges are subject to the formal consignment agreement.
Q18Why choose D'Concept consignment instead of selling to a used car dealer?
| Sell to a dealer | D'Concept consignment | |
|---|---|---|
| Who carries the cost | Sell to a dealerDealer: stock capital, depreciation, repairs, holding time, resale risk | D'Concept consignmentD'Concept helps you find the buyer |
| Pricing | Sell to a dealerDealer keeps a margin, so the offer may be lower | D'Concept consignmentSet your price with market insight; 3% / 4% fee |
| Hidden markup | Sell to a dealer— | D'Concept consignmentNone |
| Result | Sell to a dealerQuick sale, but possibly a lower price | D'Concept consignmentPossibly a higher net return, but you wait for a buyer |
If you plan to sell your car, besides selling it directly to a used car dealer, you can also find a buyer through D'Concept's consignment platform.
Selling directly to a used car dealer
After buying your car, the dealer carries the stock capital, depreciation, repairs, holding time and the risk of reselling it later.
So dealers usually keep a profit margin between the expected resale price and the buying price. Their offer may be lower than the market retail price.
D'Concept used car consignment
With consignment, you set a reasonable selling price based on the market, and D'Concept helps you find potential buyers.
Our main advantages:
- Transparent fees: only 3% consignment fee for eligible customers, and 4% for other sellers.
- No hidden markup: we don't raise the agreed selling price to earn undisclosed profit.
- Market-based pricing: the price is assessed by model, year, mileage, spec, condition and market demand.
- A chance at a better price: compared with selling directly to a dealer, consignment may give you a higher net return.
Please note: consignment means waiting for the right buyer. The time to sell and the final selling price are not guaranteed.
Still Have Questions About Direct Import?
Whether you want to know about importing from Japan or the UK, the 3% and 8% service fees, bank loans or the import budget for a specific model, you're welcome to contact us.
D'Concept Eden: a more transparent way to buy an imported car, so you know exactly what you're paying for.