What is a JAAI inspection?
The Japan Auto Appraisal Institute — an independent body that performs pre-shipment inspections on used vehicles being exported from Japan. A JAAI inspection certificate is required by Sri Lanka Customs at the time of import and confirms the vehicle is roadworthy and matches its declared specifications.
Also known as: JAAI inspection, Japan Auto Appraisal Institute
What is a JAAI inspection?
JAAI stands for the Japan Auto Appraisal Institute (一般財団法人 日本自動車鑑定協会), a Tokyo-based independent body that performs pre-shipment inspections on used vehicles being exported from Japan. The inspection is mandatory for vehicles destined for Sri Lanka and several other markets.
A JAAI inspection certificate confirms:
- Vehicle identity — chassis number, engine number, model code, year of manufacture
- Roadworthiness — brakes, lights, steering, suspension, emissions
- Matching declared specifications — fuel type, engine displacement, body type
- Pre-export condition — no major undeclared damage between auction win and shipping
Sri Lanka Customs requires the JAAI certificate at the time of import declaration. Vehicles arriving without a valid JAAI certificate face delays at clearance and may be rejected.
JAAI is distinct from the auction sheet — the sheet records the car’s condition at the moment it enters auction, while the JAAI certificate confirms its roadworthiness immediately before export. Every used car on Car Dreams ships with both.
Related terms
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Auction sheet
A one-page inspection report produced by an independent auction-house inspector when a used car enters a Japanese auction. It records overall grade, interior and exterior letter grades, accident-repair history, odometer verification and panel-level defects.
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CIF
Cost, Insurance, Freight — the value of a vehicle when it arrives at the Sri Lankan port, before any local taxes are applied. CIF is the base on which all Sri Lanka import taxes (CID, surcharge, VAT, excise, luxury) are calculated.
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Pre-shipment inspection
A mandatory inspection performed in Japan before a used vehicle is loaded onto a RoRo vessel for export. The Japan Auto Appraisal Institute (JAAI) issues the certificate, which Sri Lanka Customs requires at clearance. PSI confirms the vehicle is roadworthy and matches its declared specifications.
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