Bare Camper

How It Works

From Japan to your driveway — here's the full process

We're the only campervan brand with our own team in Japan, Australia, and New Zealand. That means we handle every step — from sourcing your van at auction to converting it into the campervan you want. No third-party agents. No dealer markup. No stress.

JP + AU + NZ

our own teams

$3,000

refundable deposit

0% duty

under JAEPA free trade

12-month

conversion warranty

Your import journey, step by step

Every Bare Camper import follows this process. We keep you updated at every stage.

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Step 01Immediately

Browse & Choose Your Van

Search our live inventory of Japanese auction and dealer vans — all graded, photographed, and priced transparently. Filter by model year, mileage, size, and grade. Found one you like? Lock it in or tell us what you're looking for and we'll source it.

💡 Every van shows the Japanese auction grade, interior condition rating, full photo set, and our estimated landed cost in AUD. No guessing games.

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Step 02Same day

Configure Your Build

Decide how far you want to take it. Just the van? A pop top or hi-top roof? A full TAMA or MANA conversion? Pick your fit-out level and electrical package — we'll give you a total all-in price upfront.

💡 Your price includes the van, shipping, compliance, GST, and your chosen conversion. One number, no surprises.

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Step 03Week 1

Secure with a $3,000 Hold

Place a fully refundable $3,000 deposit to lock in your van. This goes towards your final purchase price and covers both the Japan-side buyer's agent and the Australia-side brokerage — we're the only business that handles both under one fee.

💡 Most importers charge separately for the Japan agent and the Australian broker. Our $3,000 covers everything: bidding, inspection, purchase, export, import approval, customs, compliance coordination, and project management. Changed your mind? The hold is fully refundable.

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Step 04Weeks 2–6

We Win & Ship Your Van

We handle the auction bidding (or dealer negotiation), payment in yen, export documentation, and RORO ocean freight from Yokohama to Brisbane. You get progress updates at every stage.

💡 Shipping takes 3–4 weeks. While your van is on the water, we start prepping the compliance paperwork so there's no wasted time on arrival.

Step 05Weeks 7–10

Customs, Compliance & Registration

On arrival in Australia, we clear customs (10% GST, 0% duty under JAEPA), pass quarantine, and send the van to a RAWS-approved compliance workshop. They fit the compliance plate, do the safety check, and get it registered.

💡 Compliance typically costs ~$1,800 for a standard H200 Hiace. We handle QLD registration as standard — interstate rego can be arranged.

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Step 06Weeks 10–18

Conversion (If Selected)

If you've chosen a pop top, hi-top, or full campervan conversion, your van goes straight to the DIY RV Solutions factory in Brisbane. Professional fit-out by our partner team — from 10 business days for a roof conversion to 8–12 weeks for a full TAMA or MANA build.

💡 Pop top: 10 business days. Hi-top: 10 business days. Full MANA conversion: 8–12 weeks. You get photo updates throughout.

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Step 07Day 1 of your adventure

Collect Your Van & Hit the Road

Pick up your fully registered, road-ready campervan from our Brisbane facility. We walk you through everything — electrical systems, gas, water, pop top operation. Then you're off.

💡 All Bare Camper conversions come with a 12-month warranty on the fit-out and electrical. The van itself comes with 1-month compliance warranty.

What you actually pay

No hidden fees, no dealer markup. Here's a typical example for a ¥2,000,000 Hiace.

Vehicle purchase price (¥2,000,000)~$19,000
Bare Camper fee (Japan agent + AU broker)$3,000
Ocean freight (RORO)$2,500
GST (10% on landed value)~$2,150
Customs + quarantine$360
Compliance (RAWS)~$1,800
Total landed & complied~$28,810

Same van from an Australian dealer: $33,000–$38,000. You save $4,000–$9,000.

Choose your path

Every buyer is different. Start with just the van, or go all the way to a turnkey camper.

Just the Van

From ~$29k

Imported, complied, and registered. Drive away and build it yourself, or use it as a workhorse.

Browse vans

Van + Roof Conversion

From ~$42k

Add a pop top ($13,090) or hi-top ($15,090) from DIY RV Solutions. 10 business day turnaround.

See roof options

Full Turnkey Build

From ~$105k

TAMA (family 6-seater) or MANA (couples adventure). Kitchen, power, water, bed — everything.

Explore builds

Ready to get started?

Browse our current stock, or get in touch and tell us what you're looking for. No commitment — just a chat about your van.