Ask a Japanese exporter for a quotation and the reply will be full of abbreviations: PCR, LT or LTR, TBR, casing. They are not marketing terms — each one describes a different tire, a different buyer and a different way of filling a container. Here is what they mean and how to decide which one your market actually needs.
PCR — passenger car tires
PCR stands for passenger car radial: the tires fitted to ordinary cars. From Japan they come mainly in 12 to 18 inch, in both summer and studless winter patterns, because Japan has one of the largest winter tire markets in the world.
PCR is the volume category. Loaded 2-in-1 or 3-in-1, a 40ft container carries around 3,500 pieces of 12–17 inch tires, which keeps the freight cost per tire low. It is the natural starting point if you sell to retail tire shops or market traders.
Buy PCR if your customers are car owners and you need a high piece count per container. See used passenger car tires from Japan for our full size list.
LTR / LT — light truck tires
Light truck tires sit between passenger and truck tires: 16, 17.5 and 19.5 inch, fitted to delivery vans, minibuses and small trucks. Japan runs a very large light commercial fleet on short urban routes, so these tires come off the vehicle early and with tread left.
LTR is the most flexible category to load, because it combines with both PCR and TBR. A typical 40ft mixed container is 500–550 LT pieces plus 2,000–2,200 PCR pieces.
Buy LTR if your market runs on small commercial vehicles, or if you want a mixed container rather than a single type. See used light truck tires from Japan.
TBR — truck & bus tires
TBR means truck and bus radial: the 22.5 inch sizes fitted to heavy trucks and coaches. 11R22.5, 275/70R22.5, 275/80R22.5 and 295/80R22.5 are the sizes that move in volume from Japan.
These are big, heavy tires. A 40ft container of 11R22.5 alone holds around 288 pieces, so the value per piece has to justify the freight. Most buyers therefore mix TBR with 17.5 and 19.5 inch sizes rather than shipping a single size.
Buy TBR if you supply fleet operators, long-haul transport or bus companies. See used truck & bus tires from Japan.
Casings — bought for the carcass, not the tread
A casing is a worn commercial tire bought so that a retread factory can apply new tread to it. The remaining tread depth barely matters; what matters is whether the carcass has been overloaded, overheated or run flat.
This is where Japanese stock has a real structural advantage. Regulated axle loads, strict speed limits, well-maintained roads and fleet operators who replace tires on a fixed schedule mean the carcass is usually still sound when the tire is taken off.
Casing orders have to be specified differently from running tires. Before we quote, we need to know whether you accept previously retreaded casings, whether you apply an age limit, and how you treat repairs and sidewall marks — these change what our partner yards have to gather.
Buy casings if you operate or supply a retread factory. See used tire casings from Japan.
Choosing between them
In practice the decision comes down to three things: who your end customer is, what the freight cost per piece has to be, and what your customs authority allows. Regulations on used tire imports differ sharply between countries — some restrict passenger tires but allow casings for retreading, others do the opposite. Check your own import rules before you commit to a category.
If you are not sure, start with a 20ft trial container of a mix. It costs less to be wrong at that size, and it tells you what actually sells in your market.
FAQ
What does PCR mean in used tires?
PCR stands for passenger car radial — tires fitted to ordinary cars. From Japan they run mainly 12 to 18 inch, in summer and studless winter patterns.
What is the difference between LTR and TBR?
We classify 16, 17.5 and 19.5 inch as light truck (LTR), and 22.5 inch as truck and bus (TBR). LTR fits vans and small trucks; TBR fits heavy trucks and coaches.
What is a used tire casing?
A worn commercial tire bought for its carcass so a retread factory can apply new tread. Selection is based on the condition of the body, bead and belt package rather than on remaining tread.
Which type gives the lowest freight cost per tire?
Passenger car tires, because around 3,500 pieces fit in a 40ft container when loaded 2-in-1 or 3-in-1. Truck tires are the opposite — roughly 288 pieces of 11R22.5 per 40ft container.
Can I order more than one type in a single container?
Yes. TBR can be loaded with LTR, and LTR can be loaded with PCR. Confirm the mix with us before booking, as availability changes month to month.
Talk to us about your market
Tell us who you sell to and which port you import through, and we will tell you which category fits and what a container would look like. We ship from Ishikari, Tomakomai, Hachinohe, Akita, Sendai, Niigata, Kashiwazaki, Tokyo, Yokohama, Nagoya, Osaka, Kobe and Moji on CIF terms with insurance included. Read how to import used tires from Japan for the full process.
