As a car dealer faced with the never-ending demand for foreign cars, you may seek out the help of an auto importer to make your buying decisions for you and help you get the best possible price on your vehicles. The trick is to find an importer who will work with you every step of the way so that you can spend your time focusing on other aspects of your business.

There are several different types of car importers that you could work with. Generally speaking, you'll come across several different types of companies depending on where you look. They may include:

1. Japanese car importers - they focus on Japanese car imports only.

2. U.S. car importers - these import cars from other countries.

3. European auto importers - these work with mostly German and British car exporters, but may import from others as well.

4. Automotive importers and exporters - companies that do both importing and exporting.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Learn all you can about how to import cars

Importing cars isn't a simple process, and you have to follow many rules and regulations. If you don't do everything exactly right, you risk your shipment being held up at the docks or even legal or criminal prosecution. So, it's imperative that you learn all you can about the process and ask questions when you don't know the answer.

I recommend: Align yourself with the professionals. Begin by reading all there is to read on the North American Automobile Trade Association and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's auto importer websites, to stay abreast of all the laws that may affect your business.

Find automobile importers that assist you all along the way

Once you've learned the process, the next thing you need to do is find a company that will work with you from the start to find the vehicles at the prices that fit your budget. They should help you with the importing process and give you plenty of information and pictures regarding the vehicle you're about to purchase. Be wary of any company that won't give you pictures or some sort of guarantee upon delivery.

I recommend: Choose a company that spells out the process for you. Newera Imports, which specializes in Japanese cars, even has a DVD that shows you exactly how the process works with that company. Autospecs, which offers both new and used cars, is run by native English speakers to facilitate communication.

Search for the best price among auto imports

If you shop carefully, you can really get a good price when you import cars. When you look at different models, ask your US auto importer about the base price as well as the shipping costs and taxes. Often, the shipping costs can make the difference between a good deal and a bad one, so crunch the numbers carefully.

I recommend: Bargain shop. Compare the different models on the websites of Trade Car View and GTC Autos to get a good idea of the going rate for different makes and models. Pay special attention to the shipping, as some sellers will decrease the price and increase the shipping costs to make the cars seem cheaper than they are.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When dealing with foreign auto exporters, it's always a good idea to enlist the help of an attorney to make sure that you're following all local and international rules and regulations.