Car/Vehicle Shipping Cost from Freetown to Yokohama

Japan's "3-year car rule" refers to the mandatory, expensive vehicle inspection called Shaken, required for new cars three years after purchase, then every two years, ensuring safety and emissions compliance, which often leads owners to buy new cars due to high costs for older vehicles, though it's a myth cars are scrapped.

Driving is usually cheaper for shorter distances (under 500 miles), but for long cross-country moves (over 1,000 miles), shipping can become comparable or even cheaper when factoring in gas, food, lodging, and wear-and-tear on your vehicle, making driving better for short trips and shipping often better for long, busy, or difficult trips. The decision balances cost, time, and convenience, as shipping saves you time and adds miles/wear, while driving costs less upfront but adds stress and expenses.

The cheapest way to ship a car internationally is generally Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo), where you drive your running vehicle onto a specialized ship and off at the destination, costing typically $900-$2500 but offering less protection and no personal items allowed. For more protection, container shipping (shared) is cheaper than sole use, while open transport is cheapest for domestic legs, but RoRo is the overall winner for budget overseas shipping. Comparing quotes from multiple online brokers like Shiply or uShip is crucial for finding the best rates.