Question 1

How much does vehicle shipment from the U.S. to Japan cost?

Accepted Answer

There is no single answer to this because the precise sum is affected by a couple of factors, but you should expect to pay around $3,000 to $4,500 for the transport depending on the distance involved and other details.

You can, of course, save up money by using the roll-on, roll-off shipping option and delivering the car to the port yourself. Moreover, the make and model of the vehicle, the season, time of the year, and so on will also factor in when deciding the shipping cost.

But most of all, it is the combined over-land and over-sea distance that determines the actual cost. Of course, the sum mentioned above is excluding the taxes and duties that may apply in your specific cases or for insurance coverage (if you choose to get one).

Also, the shipping and receiving ports are important.

For instance, if you send the vehicle from the California port to Kobe, it will cost you less when compared with the shipping cost for sending the vehicle from the New York port to Toyama. In short, if you plan it well, you should be able to save a lot of money.

The less you handle things personally, i.e., driving the vehicle to the port or filing the paperwork, the more the cost will be (if you're busy, etc.)

Question 2

Can I track my shipment? If yes, then how?

Accepted Answer

In the modern era, tracking your shipment is no longer a challenge, not even half of what it was earlier on. You can use GPS trackers and tracking software on mobile phones and computers to check the live location of your shipment with just a tap on the screen or a click.

Also, we'll try our best to keep you constantly updated on our end as well through mobile phone alerts (texts and calls). But if you're really anxious about what's going on at the precise moment, never hesitate to call us.

Our staff will be more than pleased to alleviate any worries you might have because, for A1 Auto Transport, no other business value can substitute customer satisfaction!

Question 3

What are open-air and closed-air shipping options, which one is more preferable for me?

Accepted Answer

The open-air shipping method refers to "roll-on, roll-off" shipment, in which case the vehicle is driven on board, fastened in place, securely, transported, and then driven off-board. For this option, you must ensure that there are no personal belongings of yours in the vehicle.

The other option is putting the vehicle inside a container, which, as you might've guessed, will be considered closed-air shipping. In this case, you can ensure extra safety for your vehicle for some extra bucks, but for most situations, it may be a bit too excessive.

Most people prefer open-air shipping because it is cost-effective, and it simply makes more sense if all that you want to do is to ship the vehicle. Of course, this can only work if the vehicle is drivable (1/4 of the tank must be filled with gas).

In both cases, the recipient has the option to pick their vehicle from the port and drive it to their place or just have it delivered to their doorstep.

Question 4

Are there any shipment preparations I need to know about?

Accepted Answer

If you're shipping a vehicle from Japan to the USA or vice versa, you'll first have to ensure that its tank is filled with gas up to a quarter, and no more than that. Simply put, ¼ of the tank is the top limit of how much you can fill it up.

Then, you'll have to make sure that none of your personal belongings are inside the vehicle.

Make sure that the interior is perfectly clean and nothing should be left behind. Apart from preparing the car, you should also go through all the relevant documents and see that they are ready to go and don't have any inaccuracies in them.

A1 Auto Transport is committed to helping you out here, but you'll have to do your part as well.

Question 5

Why is the shipping cost of cars from the USA to Japan (and vice versa) so variable?

Accepted Answer

The cost of shipping vehicles from one country to another is never fixed. Here are some of the variables that introduce differences in the cost:

The make and model of the car being shipped is the first important detail.
The car's age, i.e., its manufacturing batch/date, is also important (for some, a more accurate measure of a car's age – when it comes to monetary value – is how much it has been driven).
The current condition of the car and its value.
The distance, both over-land and by sea that needs to be covered by the transport company, i.e. in this case, the California port to Kobe route is cheaper.
The cost will also depend on your preferred shipping option, i.e. roll-on, roll-off option is much cheaper than container shipping.
Duties and taxes, if applicable, will add to the costs.
You might have to pay an additional sum for your insurance coverage if you chose to get one for the vehicle.
You'll also have to pay for the equipment and materials used in the shipment process.
The purpose of entry of the car into the recipient's country will also affect the cost.

Question 6

Can I re-schedule my shipment date?

Accepted Answer

Yes, at A1 Auto Transport, we believe in facilitating our customers as much as we can but there are some limitations to when you can reschedule and when not. Your safest bet is to tell us as soon as possible if you have a change of plan because once the vehicle has been boarded and shipped, nothing can be done.

Ideally, you should inform us at least a day or two before the shipping date so that we can act in time and facilitate you here.

Question 7

What is the cheapest Japan-USA car shipping option?

Accepted Answer

If you want to minimize your shipping costs, your best bet would be the roll-on, roll-off option, or open-air shipment. This is the most preferred choice anyways and it allows you to save a lot of money, especially if all that you want to do is to ship the car only.

The container shipment option is only viable in rare cases, and it costs more.

While we can't give you an exact cost frame because of the variance introduced by several factors, we assure you that you will be saving money this way.

You can save up even further if you decide to pick up the car from the port directly instead of having it delivered to your place.

Question 8

What documents do I need to import a car to Japan, from the USA?

Accepted Answer

If you plan on importing a vehicle from the USA, you'll need to present the following documents and records before the concerned authorities in Japan:

Import Declaration Form
A bill/invoice of the purchased vehicle, detailing its specifications and cost
An account for the cargo shipping
Premium Due statement
Vehicle registration documents
Ownership evidence
Lading bill
Passport
Certificate of insurance
Customs declaration form

If you have them all, then it should not be any trouble for you!

Question 9

What happens after the car arrives in Japan?

Accepted Answer

After passing through the customs office in Japan, the vehicle is taxed and then sent to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT). Here the vehicle is tested for dangerous emissions and safety features.

Once it passes these tests, it is forwarded to the Land Transport Bureau Office for registration, and it is here that you'll pay the taxes in return for the registration form, and that's it. Of course, these rules and protocols are subject to change so be sure to stay up to date by logging into the Japan Customs site.

Plus if you get A1 Auto Transport involved in the process, you can expect to be more streamlined and smoother than otherwise.

Question 10

What will happen if my documents are inaccurate or incomplete?

Accepted Answer

First of all, if the customs department puts your vehicle on hold it does not necessarily mean that there is something wrong with it. It could be a routine inspection. However, if your documents are either missing or inaccurate, then you have a reason to worry.

The customs department will ensure that the value/cost of the vehicle has been listed accurately so that it can be taxed properly. This inspection process may drag on for a couple of days, and the delay won't be the only thing that'll cost you; you'll have to pay a fee too.

If you get A1 Auto Transport involved, you can rest assured that things will run smoothly for you, and there won't be any trouble with the customs officials.

Question 11

If I want to import a vehicle in Japan for only a year, what do I need to do?

Accepted Answer

Importing a vehicle to Japan temporarily is possible and perfectly legal, plus you can skip all the customs duties and taxes. This is applicable for people who have to relocate often for their jobs and need to get their vehicles transported as they move to wherever their job takes them.

However, you'll first need to acquire a customs document for temporary import, called the Carnet de Passage en Douane (CPD). Once you've filled out this document, send it to the Japan Automobile Federation (JAF) for authentication.

You will also have to provide a list of people who will be driving the car during this period (i.e. yourself, your spouse, etc.) When the JAF sends over the authenticated CPD document, you must keep it with you at all times while driving.

There will be no customs duties or taxes for importing your car this way.

Question 12

As a foreigner, can I import a car from Japan into the USA?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely! If you're here temporarily and need to bring in your vehicle, you can do so with a one-year limit. But this is only possible once you've reached out to the Environment Protection Agency and acquired permission to import your vehicle.

Question 13

Can I import classic JDM vehicles from Japan to the USA?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can! Classic JDM (Japanese Domestic Market) cars have a huge fan base in the USA, and owning such a model would be a matter of prestige and pride.

According to the federal regulations of the USA, you can import any vehicle that is more than 25 years old without a worry of the world about the federal regulations, and even otherwise but only if the vehicle falls onto the certain environment- and automobile-safety standards dictated by the Environment Protection Agency and the Department of Transport.

You are open to importing some of the most legendary classic JDM vehicles ever, such as:

Honda CR-X
Nissan Fairlady Z
Nissan 180SX
Nissan Silvia S13
Nissan Skyline R32
Toyota Soarer Z20
Toyota Sera, Toyota MR2
Toyota Supra A70
Toyota Land Cruiser

And almost 70 additional classic Japan-made classics!

The opportunity will soon encompass even more world-famous JDM vehicles. While the list is limited for the time being, although pretty much stuffed with famous titles even now, you will find your perfect match in there soon enough if you haven't already.

Question 14

Is shipping classic JDM vehicles from Japan to the USA complicated?

Accepted Answer

No, it is not, but only under one condition, and that is the car should be 25 years old at the very least. This makes the process easier since you don't have to worry about compliance with federal regulations, and the paperwork is also minimal.

But of course, this is not the case with all vehicles, so be sure you import only the ones that fall into this list of exemptions.

Question 15

Can I import a 25-year old classic JDM car from Japan to California?

Accepted Answer

Well, yes in theory, but it will be a tough ride because California places very strict regulations on imported vehicles. To register an imported vehicle in California, you'll have to assure the concerned authorities that the said vehicle complies with the passenger- and environment-safety standards dictated by them.

The process is a bit complicated but doable.

If you pull through, you can most certainly import a classic JDM vehicle to California.

To/From	Ground	Ocean	Days
New York, NY to(New York port) to Toyama	$275	$3,300	5+29
Los Angeles to(California port) to Kobe	$350	$2,000	5+34
Las Vegas, NV to(California port) to Okinawa	$450	$2,500	5+23
Portland, OR to(California port) to Osaka	$475	$2,100	6+25
Phoenix, AZ to(California port) to Okinawa	$550	$2,500	6+23
Detroit, MI to(New York port) to Toyama	$575	$3,300	6+29
Denver, CO to(California port) to Yokohama	$775	$2,000	7+24
Memphis, TN to(New York port) to Toyama	$800	$3,300	6+29
Miami, FL to(New York port) to Toyama	$925	$3,300	7+29
Houston, TX to(New York port) to Toyama	$1,075	$3,300	7+29

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