Complete Guide — 2026
Everything you need to know — costs, compliance, auction grades, H200 vs H300, timelines, and how to avoid paying a dealer premium on the same van you could import direct.
Australia has been importing Toyota Hiace vans from Japan for decades. Japan produces far more Hiace vans than its domestic market needs, so low-mileage, well-maintained vans flow out to markets like Australia, New Zealand, and the UK.
The problem is that most Australians buy these vans from local dealers — paying two margins on top of the auction price. The dealer bought it from an importer, who bought it at a Japanese auction. Every hand it passes through adds cost.
Importing direct means you pay the actual auction price plus transparent fixed fees. For a $19,000 AUD auction van, the total landed and complied cost is typically $28,000–$30,000. The same van from an Australian dealer: $33,000–$38,000.
The numbers on a typical H200 LWB Hiace (¥2,000,000 auction)
vs $33,000–$38,000 from an Australian dealer for equivalent quality
For a campervan build, the H200 LWB or SLWB is the go-to. It's what our pop top and hi-top conversions are designed around and where you get the best value for a complete build. See our full H200 vs H300 comparison →
Every vehicle at a Japanese auction is independently inspected and graded before it goes to the auction floor. This is one of the main reasons Japanese imports are trusted — the grades are consistent and honest.
| Grade | Condition | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | Excellent | Near new. No marks, no repairs. Rare for used vans. |
| 4.5 | Very good | Minor surface marks only. No accident history. Our preferred target. |
| 4 | Good | Small scratches or light dents. No structural damage. Excellent value. |
| 3.5 | Above average | Light wear consistent with age. May have minor paint repairs noted. |
| 3 | Average | Visible wear, possible minor repairs. Still driveable, lower price. |
| R | Repaired | Has had accident repairs. Can still be good value if repairs are quality. |
Interior is graded A (excellent) to D (poor) alongside the exterior grade. We share the full auction sheet with you before bidding.
Yes. Toyota Hiace vans are one of the most commonly imported vehicles from Japan to Australia. They qualify for import under the Registered Automotive Workshop Scheme (RAWS) and benefit from 0% import duty under the Japan-Australia Economic Partnership Agreement (JAEPA). You will pay 10% GST on the landed value, plus compliance costs of around $1,800 through a RAWS-approved workshop.
From auction win to driving it in Australia, allow 10–14 weeks. Roughly: 2–3 weeks for Japan-side logistics and export paperwork, 3–4 weeks ocean freight (Yokohama to Brisbane), 1–2 weeks customs and quarantine clearance, then 2–3 weeks at the compliance workshop for inspection, safety certificate, and compliance plate.
For a typical H200 LWB Hiace at ¥2,000,000 (~$19,000 AUD), expect to pay: vehicle purchase price ~$19,000, Bare Camper sourcing fee $3,000, ocean freight $2,500, GST (10% on landed value) ~$2,155, customs entry + quarantine ~$360, compliance ~$1,800. Total landed and complied: approximately $28,800–$30,000 AUD depending on exchange rate. Compare that to the same quality van from an Australian dealer at $33,000–$38,000.
The H200 (2004–2019) is the most popular choice for campervan conversions. It has a proven 2.7L petrol or 3.0L diesel engine, excellent parts availability in Australia, and is in the sweet spot for price vs condition. The H300 (2019–present) is a newer platform with a better driving position and more modern features, but prices are higher and there are fewer available. For a campervan build, the H200 LWB or SLWB is the go-to — it's what most pop top and hi-top conversions are built around.
Japanese auction houses independently grade every vehicle before it goes to auction. The main scale runs from 1 (poor) to 5 (near-perfect), with half grades (3.5, 4.5) in between. A grade 4 or 4.5 means minor surface marks, no accident history, good mechanicals. Grade 3.5 typically means light wear consistent with age. Interior is graded A (excellent) to D (poor). We target grade 3.5 and above for import — you see the grade, photos, and inspection report before we bid.
LWB (Long Wheelbase) is the standard cargo van — roughly 4.7m long with a 3m load bay. SLWB (Super Long Wheelbase) adds about 300mm to the wheelbase and load bay, giving you more interior space for a campervan build. If you plan to stand up, sleep two adults comfortably, or fit a proper kitchen, the SLWB is worth the small premium. Most of our pop top and hi-top conversions are built on the SLWB.
Yes. GST is 10% of the landed value (vehicle purchase price + shipping). There is no import duty on Japanese vehicles under the JAEPA free trade agreement — that 0% duty is a significant saving. You'll also pay a customs entry fee (~$110) and BMSB (Brown Marmorated Stink Bug) heat treatment (~$250) which is mandatory for vehicles from Japan.
Yes. All Japanese imports need a compliance plate from a RAWS-approved workshop before they can be registered in Australia. The compliance process includes a roadworthy inspection, emissions check, safety certificate, and fitment of a compliance plate. We have recommended RAWS workshops in QLD, NSW, VIC, and WA — compliance typically costs around $1,800 and takes 2–3 weeks.
Yes — this is one of the main advantages of importing from Japan. Japan is right-hand drive, so all Japanese-market Hiace vans are RHD and fully road-legal in Australia without any conversion. Australian-delivered Hiace vans are also RHD, so a Japanese import drives identically.
When you buy a Japanese import Hiace from an Australian dealer, you're paying the dealer's margin on top of the importer's margin on top of the auction price. That can add $5,000–$10,000 to the cost of the same quality van. Importing direct through Bare Camper means you pay the actual auction price plus our flat $3,000 fee. You see the auction grade, the photos, the inspection report — and you decide whether to bid.
Yes — this is exactly what we do. Once your van clears compliance, it goes straight to our Brisbane factory for the pop top or hi-top conversion. You end up with a complied, registered van with a professional fibreglass roof — ready for your interior fit-out. The whole process is coordinated through one team, which saves time and avoids the usual back-and-forth between an importer, a compliance workshop, and a converter.
All Australian states and territories. RAWS compliance is recognised nationally, so a van complied in Queensland can be registered in Victoria, WA, or anywhere else. We have recommended compliance workshops in QLD, NSW, VIC, and WA, so we can direct the van to the workshop closest to you.
Browse current auction stock, or book a free chat with Jared to talk through your spec.
hello@barecamper.com.au
