Expert Maritime Partners with SAT Japan to Support Vehicle Importers in Sri Lanka
SAT Japan has appointed Expert Maritime as its authorised customs clearance partner in Sri Lanka, giving its vehicle buyers a licensed local team from port arrival to final release.
We are proud to announce that Expert Maritime has been appointed by SAT Japan as its authorised customs clearance partner in Sri Lanka. The agreement, formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding in September 2026, makes our team the local clearance contact for SAT Japan customers bringing vehicles into the country.
For us, this is more than a new business relationship. It is recognition from an established international exporter that the way we work, carefully, transparently and by the book, is the standard its customers deserve.
A partnership built on shared standards
SAT Japan’s growth across international markets depends on its customers having a good experience from purchase to delivery, including the final stage in their home country. In Sri Lanka, that final stage runs through the port and Sri Lanka Customs, and SAT Japan has chosen Expert Maritime to manage it.
The agreement sets out a clear framework for how we will support SAT Japan’s buyers, how both companies will keep customers informed at every step, and a joint commitment to full compliance with the customs and trade laws of Sri Lanka and Japan.
Who we are partnering with
SAT Japan, the trading name of Shine Auto Trading Co., Ltd., has been in the vehicle export business since 2002. Operating from Iwaki in Fukushima Prefecture, the company now reaches buyers in 48 countries and offers both new and used Japanese vehicles, from compact cars and SUVs to trucks and new electric models. Its buyers range from individual customers to dealers who resell Japanese vehicles in their own markets, supported through pre-shipment inspection and online and app-based purchasing.
Sri Lanka is one of the company’s established markets, with its own dedicated country service.
What we will be doing
Once a SAT Japan customer’s vehicle is on its way, our team takes over the Sri Lankan side of the journey. We review the export documents coming from Japan, prepare and file the import declaration with Sri Lanka Customs, and calculate the duties and taxes due so the customer knows the full cost before clearance begins. From there, we work with port, customs and regulatory officials through inspection and release, support vehicle registration where it applies, and keep the customer updated until the vehicle is in their hands.
Because we are working directly with the exporter, we can spot document issues while a vehicle is still at sea, rather than after it reaches the port.
A word from our Director
Shakir Azeez, Director and Customs Clearing Agent at Expert Maritime, said the partnership was built on shared values.
“What stood out in our discussions with SAT Japan was that they cared about what happens to their customers after the sale, not just before it. That is exactly how we think. A buyer’s experience does not end when the vehicle is loaded in Japan. It ends when they drive it out of the port in Sri Lanka, and we want that last stage to be the smoothest part.”
He added that the appointment is a milestone for the company.
“Being trusted by an exporter that has served buyers across dozens of countries for over two decades is a proud moment for our whole team. Every person at Expert Maritime has contributed to the reputation that made this possible.”
On compliance, he was clear about how the partnership will operate.
“Both companies have agreed that every vehicle will be declared honestly and correctly. That protects our customers from penalties and delays, and it is the only way we have ever worked.”
Why this matters for Sri Lankan importers
Japanese vehicles have long been the first choice for Sri Lankan buyers, and demand has been strong since vehicle imports resumed. At the same time, the cost of importing has grown, with duties, excise, VAT and, since April 2026, the 2.5% Social Security Contribution Levy all calculated on a vehicle’s value. When the taxes on a vehicle can outweigh its purchase price, a mistake at clearance is expensive.
This partnership gives SAT Japan’s Sri Lankan buyers a clear, accountable route through that process, with a licensed local team that already understands the exporter’s documentation.
Looking ahead
We see this agreement as the beginning of a long-term relationship with SAT Japan, and as a sign of the role Sri Lankan logistics companies can play for international exporters serving this market.
Our commitment to every customer stays the same, whether they are importing a single vehicle through SAT Japan or moving regular commercial cargo through Sri Lanka’s ports and airport: clear communication, honest advice and cargo handled properly from start to finish.
Importing a vehicle from Japan?
If you are buying from SAT Japan or planning any vehicle import, our team can review your documents and prepare a duty estimate before your vehicle ships. Get in touch with Expert Maritime to request a customs clearance quote.