Car/Vehicle Shipping Cost from Tokyo to Columbus, Ohio

Shipping a car from Japan to the USA generally costs $1,500 to $3,000+ for ocean freight, but the total landed cost can range from $4,000 to $10,000+, depending heavily on the vehicle type, chosen shipping method (shared container vs. RORO), port, duties (2.5% for cars, 25% for trucks + 25% tariff), customs fees, and compliance costs. Expect additional fees for ISF filing, brokerage, port services, and state-specific inspections.

Three years after purchase, every new car has to go through an expensive inspection process, and once every two years after that. Furthermore, vehicles older than 10 years have to pass the inspection every year. As a result, most car owners in Japan write off their cars after 10 years and buy new ones.

Budget: The shorter the distance, the more cost-effective it is to drive instead of ship your car. Regardless of the total distance, look at your total moving budget and how much you can afford to spend on car shipping services compared to a cross-country drive.