How to Buy a Car from Goo-net Exchange and Import It to Australia
- AUTOSHIFT
- Aug 11
- 6 min read
Updated: Aug 12
Found a Japanese car you like on Goo-net Exchange, but not sure what to do next?
You might be wondering:
Is Goo-net Exchange legit?
Can I import the car I found into Australia?
How much will it cost on top of the listed price?
How can I check the actual condition of the car?
Goo-net Exchange is a useful platform that allows buyers outside Japan to search through a huge range of used cars currently for sale across Japan.
However, just because a car is listed on Goo-net Exchange doesn't necessarily mean it can be imported and registered in Australia.
In this guide, we'll explain what Goo-net Exchange is, how to check a vehicle before buying, what it costs to import a car to Australia, and the steps involved in getting it on the road.
What Is Goo-net Exchange?
Goo-net is one of Japan's largest used-car listing platforms.
Dealerships across Japan list their vehicles on Goo-net, giving buyers access to a huge range of used cars. Goo-net Exchange is the international version of the platform, designed for buyers outside Japan.
A simple way to think about it is as the Japanese equivalent of Carsales in Australia.
One of the biggest advantages of Goo-net Exchange is that you can search cars that are actually being sold by dealerships across Japan.
Many traditional Japanese car export websites mainly list vehicles held or sourced by exporters. Goo-net, on the other hand, gives you access to listings from dealerships all over Japan.
This means you may be able to find specific grades, colours, specifications and mileage that can be difficult to find through typical export platforms.
Is Goo-net Exchange Legit?
Yes. Goo-net Exchange is a legitimate platform connected to Goo-net, one of Japan's major automotive information services.
Goo-net is operated by PROTO Corporation, a well-established Japanese company that has been providing automotive information services for many years.
So, there is generally no need to be concerned about Goo-net Exchange itself as a platform.
However, there is an important difference between Goo-net Exchange being a legitimate platform and every car listed on Goo-net being in good condition.
Goo-net is a vehicle listing platform, and the actual condition of each used car will depend on the individual vehicle and the dealership selling it.
That's why it's important to check the condition of the specific car before you buy.
Can You Buy Directly from Goo-net Exchange?
Yes, it is possible to purchase a vehicle from Japan through Goo-net Exchange.
However, just because you can buy a car listed on Goo-net Exchange doesn't mean you can automatically import and register it in Australia.
Australia has strict rules around which vehicles can be imported. Different vehicles may qualify under different import pathways, such as SEVS, the 25-year-old vehicle pathway, or the Personal Import Scheme.
So, before buying a car, the first thing you should do is check whether that specific vehicle is eligible for import into Australia.
It's also important to understand that purchasing and exporting the car from Japan is only part of the process. Most export businesses — including Goo-net Exchange itself — only handle arranging the vehicle and arranging shipping.
To actually get the vehicle on the road in Australia, you'll also need to deal with Vehicle Import Approval, compliance arrangements, and vehicle registration.
How Much Does It Cost to Import a Goo-net Car to Australia?
Goo-net Price ≠ Australian On-Road Price
The price you see on Goo-net is the price of the vehicle itself. There are several additional costs involved in getting the car from Japan and legally on the road in Australia.
How Can You Check the Condition of a Goo-net Car?
Some vehicles on Goo-net come with a third-party inspection known as Goo Inspection.
Goo Inspection is carried out by specialist inspectors who check up to 344 points on the vehicle. This can provide useful information when assessing a used car online.
For vehicles without a third-party inspection, the condition information is based mainly on the selling dealership's own assessment. This means the amount of detail and the way the vehicle is assessed can vary between dealerships.
In other words, relying on Goo-net Exchange alone gives you less information than checking the Japanese Goo-net listing as well.
If you can communicate with the dealership in Japanese, you can also ask directly about things that may not be obvious from the photos, such as underbody condition, rust, previous repairs, service history or other mechanical and cosmetic issues.
Goo-net Exchange vs Japanese Goo-net: Are They the Same?
This is an important point that many overseas buyers don't realise.
Goo-net Exchange is very useful for international buyers, but the information shown on the international Goo-net Exchange website and the Japanese Goo-net website can sometimes be different.
Not every vehicle listed on the Japanese Goo-net website is necessarily shown on the international version. Even when the same vehicle appears on both sites, the Japanese listing may contain more photos or more detailed information about the car.
At AUTOSHIFT, we don't just check the Goo-net Exchange listing. We also check the Japanese Goo-net listing and contact the dealership directly in Japanese to get more information about the vehicle's condition before you buy.
Step-by-Step: Importing a Goo-net Car to Australia
Find a car you like on Goo-net Exchange Search Goo-net Exchange and find a vehicle that suits your budget and requirements.
Send the vehicle URL to AUTOSHIFT We'll check whether the vehicle is eligible for import into Australia. At the same time, we'll contact a compliance centre to confirm whether the vehicle can be registered.
Purchase the vehicle Before you buy, we contact the Japanese dealership directly to confirm the condition of the vehicle beyond what's shown in the photos. We may also be able to negotiate the purchase price directly with the dealership.
Apply for Vehicle Import Approval We'll collect the required information from Japan and arrange the Vehicle Import Approval on your behalf.
Arrange shipping from Japan to Australia Shipping can also be arranged through Goo-net, but this tends to come at a higher cost. We can arrange shipping separately for you as a more cost-effective option.
Arrange compliance in Australia We arrange the compliance process through our network across Australia, including Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Perth.
Register the vehicle Once the vehicle arrives at port and has been through compliance, it can finally be registered — and you're ready to hit the road in Australia.
Common Risks When Buying a Car from Goo-net Exchange
You don't know whether the car can actually be imported into Australia
Send us the vehicle details before you buy, and we'll check whether it's eligible for import.
You don't know the total cost
The price shown on Goo-net is only the vehicle price. We calculate an estimated total cost tailored to the vehicle and the state where you plan to register it.
The car looks good in the photos, but arrives in a very different condition
It's difficult to judge a used car accurately from photos and a short description alone. Our staff contact the Japanese dealership directly in Japanese to confirm details that aren't obvious from the listing.
You've bought the car but don't know what to do next
Buying the vehicle is only one part of the process — Vehicle Import Approval, shipping and compliance still need to be arranged. We handle all of this on your behalf.
The vehicle is eligible for import, but doesn't meet Australian road standards and can't be registered
Being eligible for import and being able to register the vehicle are not the same thing. State registration requirements and compliance requirements need to be checked separately. Before you buy, we confirm with a compliance centre whether the vehicle can be registered.
Found a Car on Goo-net? Send AUTOSHIFT the Link
If you've found a car on Goo-net Exchange that you'd like to import, send us the vehicle URL before you buy it. AUTOSHIFT handles the entire process on your behalf, including:
Checking whether the vehicle is eligible for import into Australia
Checking whether the vehicle can be registered in Australia
Contacting the Japanese dealership to confirm the vehicle's condition
Arranging the vehicle purchase in Japan
Negotiating the price with the Japanese dealership
Applying for Vehicle Import Approval
Arranging shipping from Japan to Australia
Arranging compliance after the vehicle arrives
Assisting with vehicle registration
One of the biggest advantages of AUTOSHIFT is that we operate in both Japan and Australia, allowing us to support both sides of the import process from start to finish.
In Japan, we communicate directly with dealerships in Japanese and check information that isn't available through the English-language Goo-net Exchange listing alone.
Our support doesn't stop once the vehicle has been purchased. We assist with domestic transport and export arrangements in Japan, shipping, Vehicle Import Approval, and the compliance and registration process required to get the vehicle on the road in Australia.
Through our network of compliance specialists across Australia, we also support customers importing vehicles into multiple states and regions.
Goo-net Exchange Australia FAQ
Is Goo-net Exchange a safe company to use?
Yes. Goo-net is one of Japan's major used-car listing platforms and is a trustworthy site.
Can every car listed on Goo-net be imported into Australia?
No. Australia has strict vehicle import requirements, and you need to check whether a vehicle is eligible for import before buying it.
How much does it cost to buy a car from Goo-net and import it to Australia?
The price shown on Goo-net is only the vehicle price. On top of that, you'll need to budget for compliance costs, shipping and registration fees.
How long does it take to import a car from Japan to Australia?
As a general guide, it takes around two to three months from purchasing the vehicle in Japan to getting it on the road in Australia.
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