Ford Explorer for Sale - Import from Japan

The Explorer is Ford's best-known SUV, and Japan has been a small but steady market for it. Used stock covers a very wide span of years, from late 1990s trucks to a 2021 sixth-generation car, so it pays to know which generation you are looking at before you compare prices.

The generations you will meet are the second generation sold through 2001, the third generation from 2002, the fourth from 2006 to 2010, the fifth from 2011 to 2019 (with a facelift in 2016) and the sixth generation, which arrived for the 2020 model year on a rear-drive-based platform. Listings show chassis codes such as 1FMHK8, 1FM5K8 and 1FM5KT. These look like VIN fragments, so use them as a rough filter and rely on the grade name and photos for the real specification.

Explorer grades follow the American trim ladder. You will see XLT, Limited (often shown as LTD), Titanium and, on the newest car in stock, an ST.

• Fifth generation 3.5 litre V6: the volume choice, with seven seats and strong space for the money. Several examples are listed as 4WD.
• EcoBoost versions: some fifth-generation cars are listed with a turbocharged EcoBoost engine, for example grades marked EKO BOOST. They give more torque than the plain V6 but are more complex.
• Titanium and Limited: the higher trims, with leather, larger wheels and more driver aids. They cost noticeably more.
• Explorer ST (sixth generation): the sporting version with a turbocharged V6, listed at a much higher price than any older Explorer.

For most buyers a fifth-generation XLT or Limited is the sensible entry point. The older second and third generation trucks suit enthusiasts of 1990s and early 2000s American SUVs, and a few qualify for 25-year import in the United States.

A big American SUV in Japan tends to be looked after, but it is still a heavy vehicle with a lot of parts. Start with the auction sheet, which records the auction grade, body diagram and any repair history, then ask for photos of the underside, the third-row seats and the engine bay.

• Steering side: listings differ, so check whether a particular car is left-hand or right-hand drive before you pay a deposit.
• Service records: ask for dealer or workshop records, especially for an EcoBoost car or one with 4WD.
• Rust and corrosion: look at the sills, wheel arches and underbody on the older 1999 to 2010 cars.
• Suspension and tyres: look for uneven wear and for worn bushings, which are common on any heavy SUV.
• Electronics: test the touchscreen, climate control and parking sensors on fifth-generation cars, which carry a lot of equipment.
• Specification: check that the engine and emissions suit your destination market.

These are FOB prices in Japanese yen taken from ZervTek dealer stock in November 2026, not quotes. The cheapest cars started at about ¥460,000. The middle half of listings sat between about ¥660,000 and ¥1.57 million, with a median of about ¥1.14 million. The top 5 percent cost more than about ¥4.7 million, because of the newest cars.

• 2011 to 2014 fifth generation: roughly ¥460,000 to ¥1.25 million, with XLT and Limited cars mostly around ¥0.5 million to ¥1.1 million.
• 2015 to 2016: about ¥1.45 million to ¥2.88 million, including Titanium 4WD and EcoBoost cars.
• Second and third generation (1999 and 2002): about ¥1.0 million to ¥1.3 million.
• 2021 sixth-generation ST: about ¥6.2 million.

Explorer prices follow condition, mileage and options closely, and freight, insurance and import tax are added afterwards. The bands are only a guide, so request a fresh quote.

Rules get amended, so have your customs office or a compliance specialist confirm what applies before you buy.

• United States: in late 2026 the 25-year rule reaches 2001 and earlier builds, so a 1999 Explorer is within range while a 2002 car becomes eligible in 2027. Newer cars are not eligible.
• Canada: the 15-year rule covers roughly 2011 or earlier. That includes the 2010 and 2011 cars in stock.
• UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and other right-hand drive markets: a right-hand drive Explorer is easier to register than a left-hand drive one, but approval, emissions and safety rules differ by country. Confirm before you buy.
• Africa, the Caribbean, South Asia and others: many markets accept used SUVs, but some cap vehicle age or restrict one steering side. Ask your local authority.

An Explorer is a large vehicle, so the shipping method matters. RoRo is the usual choice for a single SUV and is priced on the car's volume, so ask for a quote based on the exact car. A container is possible but only worth it if you want to ship spares or share a box.

You can select an Explorer from the stock list, or ZervTek can bid for you at the Japanese auctions, which are restricted to dealers and run Monday to Saturday. We may request a deposit before bidding, and when you lose the lot it stays in your wallet balance. Ask for extra photos of the third row, the load area and the tyres before you commit. Payment falls due within 3 days of a win, after which we prepare the export certificate, invoice and bill of lading for the destination port.