Privacy Policy

Who we are

Area 9 JDM Imports ("we", "us") imports Japanese domestic market vehicles into the United Kingdom and sources vehicles to order on behalf of customers. We are a private limited company registered in England and Wales, company number 17111403, with our registered office at 5 The Glen, Rayleigh, Essex SS6 7QZ. We are the data controller for the personal information described in this policy.

What we collect

When you submit an enquiry through our website, we collect the information you give us in the form: your name, email address, telephone number, the vehicle you are interested in, and any additional details you choose to include about budget or specification.

If you contact us by phone, WhatsApp, email or social media, we hold the contents of that conversation and your contact details.

If you go on to buy or commission a vehicle from us, we also collect the information needed to complete the import and registration: your address, proof of identity where required, payment details, and the information the DVLA and HMRC require to register and clear the vehicle.

Our website does not use advertising or tracking cookies. If we add analytics in future, this policy will be updated before we do.

Why we use it, and our lawful basis

To answer your enquiry and provide quotes. Lawful basis: legitimate interests, namely responding to someone who has asked us to.
To source, bid on, import and register a vehicle for you. Lawful basis: performance of a contract with you.
To comply with customs, tax and vehicle registration law. Lawful basis: legal obligation.
To keep records of transactions. Lawful basis: legal obligation and legitimate interests.

We do not sell your data, and we do not use it for marketing unless you have asked us to. If you do opt in to updates, you can opt out at any time by replying to any message or emailing us.

Who we share it with

We share only what is necessary, only with parties involved in your import:

Formspree, which delivers our website enquiry form to our inbox.
Our agent in Japan, who bids at auction and arranges export on our instruction.
Shipping lines, freight forwarders and marine insurers, to move and insure the vehicle.
Our UK customs clearing agent, to clear the vehicle and complete the customs and NOVA entries.
HMRC and the DVLA, where the law requires it.
Our accountant, for financial records.

Some of these parties are outside the UK, principally in Japan. Where your information is transferred abroad, we share only what is needed to complete your import.

How long we keep it

Enquiries that do not lead to a purchase are kept for up to two years, so that we can pick up the conversation if you come back to us, and then deleted.

Records relating to a completed vehicle purchase or import are kept for at least six years, because tax and customs law requires it.

Your rights

Under UK data protection law you have the right to ask us for a copy of the personal data we hold about you, to have inaccurate data corrected, to have your data deleted where we have no continuing need for it, to object to or restrict how we use it, and to receive it in a portable format.

To exercise any of these, email info@area9jdm.co.uk. We will respond within one month.

If you are unhappy with how we have handled your data, you can complain to the Information Commissioner's Office at ico.org.uk or on 0303 123 1113. We would appreciate the chance to put it right first.

Security

Our website is served over an encrypted connection. Access to enquiry and customer records is limited to those who need it to do their job. No system is perfectly secure, but we take reasonable steps to protect your information.

Changes to this policy

If we change how we handle personal data, we will update this page and change the date at the top.

Contact us

Area 9 JDM Imports Ltd
Registered in England & Wales, company no. 17111403
Registered office: 5 The Glen, Rayleigh, Essex SS6 7QZ
Email: info@area9jdm.co.uk
Phone: 07903 232142