Car/Vehicle Shipping Cost from San Jose to Yokohama

It's usually cheaper to drive for shorter distances, but for long cross-country moves, shipping can become competitive or even cheaper when you factor in the "hidden" costs of driving (gas, hotels, food, wear-and-tear) versus the upfront shipping fee, especially if you're moving with others or have an unreliable car.

Japan's "3-year car rule" refers to the mandatory, expensive vehicle inspection called Shaken, where new cars first require this rigorous safety check three years after purchase, then every two years, and annually after ten years, encouraging frequent vehicle replacement and boosting the used car export market due to high costs and taxes, say www.japan-guide.com, Reddit, and Bloomberg.com. This system ensures high road safety standards but leads many owners to scrap older cars rather than pay for extensive repairs, fueling the international market for seemingly newer used vehicles, according to Bloomberg.com, Facebook, and Reddit.

The cheapest way to ship a car is by using an open transport carrier, choosing terminal-to-terminal service, booking during off-peak seasons, being flexible with dates, and getting multiple quotes from reputable brokers, as this method uses multi-car trailers with no weather protection but significantly lowers costs compared to enclosed shipping. For even shorter distances, having someone drive it or finding a driver moving in the same direction can be the absolute cheapest, but open transport is best for standard auto shipping needs.