Buyers comparing used tire origins ask a fair question: why Japan rather than somewhere closer? The answer is not patriotism — it is what comes off Japanese vehicles, and how early it comes off.
Tires are replaced early in Japan
Japanese vehicles are inspected and maintained to a strict standard, and tires are routinely changed well before they are worn out by the standards of most export markets. That is the whole basis of this trade: a tire retired early in Japan still has a long working life in a market that measures wear differently.
The winter tire cycle
Large parts of Japan — Hokkaido and the northern prefectures in particular — run studless winter tires for part of the year and switch back for the rest. That seasonal changeover produces a steady supply of tires that were only ever used for a few months a year. It is also why several of our loading ports are in the north: Ishikari, Tomakomai, Hachinohe, Akita, Sendai.
Commercial fleets on a maintenance schedule
Truck and bus operators in Japan replace on a schedule rather than at the point of failure. That is what makes the TBR and casing side of the business work — casings that come off a scheduled change are worth retreading, and casings that come off a blowout are not.
What we can actually supply
- PCR — passenger car tires, around 3,500 pieces in a 40ft container
- LTR — light truck and van tires, 16 / 17.5 / 19.5 inch
- TBR — truck & bus tires, 22.5 inch, about 288 pieces of 11R22.5 in a 40ft
- Casings — carcasses for retreading
Our business is mostly used tires, though some new stock comes through as well. We are preparing to sell scrap tires in the near future.
How buying from us works
- Send us tire types, sizes, container size and destination port
- We quote CIF — freight and insurance to your port included
- Pay by T/T, L/C at sight on a yearly contract, or Wise, in USD, EUR or JPY
- We load at one of 13 Japanese ports and ship
Start with a 20ft trial if you have not bought from Japan before, then move to a monthly 40ft. Yard visits are welcome once your purchase is confirmed — and seeing a container loaded is the fastest way to judge a supplier.
FAQ
Why are Japanese used tires in demand?
Because vehicles in Japan are maintained to a strict standard and tires are replaced early, including studless winter tires used only part of the year.
Do you sell new tires as well?
Our business is mostly used tires, but some new stock comes through as well.
Do you sell scrap tires?
Not yet — we are preparing to offer them in the near future.
Can I visit before buying?
Yard visits are welcome once the purchase is confirmed.
How do I start?
Send us your tire types, sizes, container size and destination port, and we will quote CIF.
Start your first order
Tell us what you need and where it is going, and we will come back with a CIF offer.
See also our category pages for used passenger car tires, used light truck tires, used truck & bus tires and used tire casings, or read how to import used tires from Japan for the full buying process.
