Shipping A Car to Japan: How-to Guide for Luxury Vehicles

Revving up for a move to Japan and want to bring your luxury vehicle along?

Navigate the journey with our comprehensive guide on shipping high-end cars to the Land of the Rising Sun.

From cost breakdowns to shipping methods to customs regulations to paperwork requirements, we've got you covered.

Whether you're shipping a Tesla or a BMW, this guide will illuminate the process and help you plan your next steps.

How much does shipping a Tesla or a BMW to Japan cost?

Researching online and collecting quotes will be the first step in determining the cost. The price you will need to pay will depend on your car, location, shipment methods, and situation.

Roll-on roll-off shipping vs. container shipping

There are two shipping methods to send your high-end car to Japan. One is roll-on roll-off shipping. RoRo shipping (roll-on roll-off) is a quick and easy option for your vehicle to be secured on a RoRo vessel beneath the deck of a ship and is considered the most reasonable option to transport cars from overseas.

For this method, you are only allowed to ship your vehicle, and no other items are not allowed to be shipped along with your vehicle.

Another shipping method is container shipping. There are two types of containers for shipping vehicles, shared containers and 20ft solo-use containers. Container shipping secures additional protection for your vehicle, and another benefit of this method is that you can ship your items along with your vehicle.

Shipping from major cities in the US to Japan

Here is the approximate price range for the costs.

The average price for shipping a car to Japan ranges from $2,000 to $4,000.

The duties to import a car to Japan from the US are the duty of the vehicle's value plus $1,500 to $2,500 for local charges in Japan.

Here is the price list for RoRo (roll-on roll-off) service ocean flight rates for cars, sedans, and SUVs.

Here is the price list for Shared Container Ocean Flight rates for cars, sedans, and SUVs.

Solo-Container (20ft Container) ocean flight rates for cars, sedans, and SUVs.

Solo-Container (40ft Container) ocean flight rates for cars, sedans, and SUVs.

The price to ship a car to Japan from the US varies on the type of car, the shipping dimensions and the weight, the method of transportation in Japan, and the location in the US.

For example, shipping a BMW from New York to Tokyo, the price ranges from $900 to $3,000. 

Shipping from the UK to Japan

RoRo shipping for a car and SUV from the UK to Japan will cost about £1,700.

For shared container shipping, the cost will be about £1,300 pounds for a car and £1,700 for an SUV. For the solo container shipping, the cost will be about £1,900 for a car and £2,700 for an SUV from the UK.

What is the export process for shipping a Tesla or BMW to Japan? 

After online research and making the decision for the transportation company, you will start the export process. There are required documents for your vehicle and the port in Japan. Before preparing paperwork, review Japan's regulations and road rules if you plan to drive in Japan.

Step 1. Japanese import regulations on cars from overseas.

All vehicles imported to Japan must comply with Japanese import regulations outlined by JAF, the Japanese Automobile Federation. An inspections and emissions test must be conducted. However, if your vehicle is to stay in Japan for less than one year it is exempt from taxes and duties.          

Rules of the road in Japan

• If you’re from the UK, they drive on the same side (left) of the road in Japan.

• Road signs are in Japanese and English.

• For expressways, ETC (Electronic Toll Collection) card is available.

Step 2. Temporary import

If your car will only stay for less than a year, you need to complete the customs document, Carnet de Passage en Douane (CPD) form. This form will identify the owner of the car and include a list of people who are permitted to drive the car in Japan. The document will need to be faxed or emailed to Japan Automobile Federation (JAF). The Carnet needs to be authenticated at the JAF office before customs clearance.

1. A CPD holder visits the JAF office with his/her original CPD. An agent with a letter of proxy for the CPD holder may be accepted at JAF in a particular case.

2. Submit the CPD to JAF and fill in two copies of the authentication application form with your address in Japan, and the date and place of re-export of the vehicle with your signature on the forms.

3. JAF will fill in and return the form to you if the CPD can be authenticated.

4. Submit both forms to the customs office when you apply for clearance. They will return signed and sealed forms to you. You will need to have it onhand when you drive your vehicle.

The fee is 3,000 yen per CPD. The authentication requires the following documents.

• Original CPD

• A list of persons and their addresses that will drive the vehicle in Japan

For a vehicle from a country that did not sign the 1949 Convention on Road Traffic treaty (Germany, Switzerland, Monaco, and Slovenia), inspection and registration are required in Japan on arrival even if you have CPD paperwork. 

For your location, your specific car, and your situation, MailMate’s bilingual concierge service can help you with research and paperwork.

Step 3. Preparing paperwork for permanent import

More paperwork is required if you are driving your car in Japan for longer than a year. The documents are as follows.

• Import declaration form

• Commercial invoice

• Vehicle registration

• Bill of landing

• Proof of ownership

• Freight account of cargo

• Passport

• Insurance certificate

• Customs declaration form

What is the import process for shipping a car to Japan?

Step 1. Start the import process when your car arrives in Japan

When your vehicle arrives in Japan, you will receive a notification and need to start the import process. You will submit a declaration form for your vehicle to clear customs, an automobile acquisition tax (equal to five percent of the depreciated value of your vehicle), and any customs duties will be checked.

The importation process for vehicles is in Japanese and is not always easy but MailMate’s bilingual concierge service is here to help and assist you with filling out forms and paperwork submission.

Step 2. Clear customs

Once your vehicle clears customs, you will receive a clearance customs certificate. I have found the rules and regulations are often changed at the Customs Office. I recommend checking the Japan Customs official site for updates.

Step 3. Submit your car to an inspection and emissions test

Then your vehicle proceeds to the next step to inspect and test emissions for the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT).

During the inspection and emissions test, any parts of the car that do not conform to Japanese regulations will be required to be fixed. The test will take up about a week.

Finally, the last process will go through Road Transport Bureau for the registration process.

What documents will I need to fill out?

Registration is required and needs to be completed within three months of the preliminary inspection and can be completed through the Road Transport Bureau of MLIT.

There are 91 locations of MLIT offices for the registration and inspection process.

Required documents for registration.

• Receipt of registration payment

• Application form

• Customs clearance

• Inspection and emissions certificate

• Parking space certificate

Any vehicle taxes need to be paid by then and you will receive the car registration certification.

What are the best shipping services for shipping high-end vehicles to Japan?

The following transport companies are some of the top international shipping companies to send your vehicles from the US to Japan that ensure reliable, fairly priced, and trustworthy services from several review sites.

According to Vincent Kipp from Paddock Magazine, “A reputable car shipping company will have a proven track record of providing reliable and efficient service to their customers.” So make sure to read reviews of each company before making your final decision.

1. Autoshippers

Autoshippers provides RoRo motor vehicle shipping, container shipping, air freight, motorbikes shipping, and classic car shipping.

2. Ship Cars

Ship Cars offers RoRo and container shipping: prices to ship to Japan start from £1,095.

3. AmeriFreight

Amerifreight’s services feature RoRo and container shipping.

4. International Van Lines

International Van Lines provides RoRo, container shipping, air freight, and consolidation: international shipping price ranges from $1,800 to $4,500. 

5. Schumacher Cargo Logistics

Schumacher Cargo Logistics offers RoRo, container shipping, air freight, motorcycle shipping, and classic car shipping.

Frequently asked questions 

Roughly how much does it cost to ship vehicles from the US to Japan?

The price varies depending on several factors such as season, over-land and over-sea distance, but approximately the payment ranges from around $3,000 to $4,500 for the transport (taxes and insurance coverage are not included).  By using RoRo shipping option and delivering the car to the port yourself you can save on cost.

 What’s the best method to ship my car to Japan?

The cheapest shipping method will be the RoRo (roll-on roll-off) option to save money but to ship your car securely, the container shipping method is recommended. Many shipping companies offer weekly container shipping services to Japan while RoRo ships only on a monthly or bi-monthly basis.

Are there any preparations for shipment?

The tank needs to be filled with gas for up to a quarter to ship a car to Japan. Also, make sure none of your personal belongings are left in the car, and the inside of the car must be cleaned as well.

Can I ship my car to Japan?

Your car must comply with the regulations of the Japan Automobile Federation (JAF) on shipping to Japan. If your stay is shorter than a year, you will need a Carnet de Passages en Douane for the temporary-stay status.

What insurance should I pay for the shipping?

International transport companies carry their own insurance which covers your vehicle while using their shipping services. If anything happens to your vehicle during transport, the damages will be covered by the insurance.

How long is the shortest shipping time to Japan from the US?

One of the shortest transit times from the US to Japan is the route from Los Angeles to Japan with an average of 25 days, another route is from New York to Yokohama with an average of 35 days.

In closing

Moving to Japan and bringing your beloved car along may seem like a lot of work at first but with accurate information and support, it can be done smoothly and effortlessly.

By researching online and understanding the process to ship your car to Japan, you should be able to find quality transport services, and your high-end car will arrive and run in Japan in a few months. Living and working in a foreign country can be stressful but with your beloved car, life in Japan can be so much fun and comfortable.