Car/Vehicle Shipping Cost from Tokyo to Saint Paul, Minnesota

Shipping a car from Japan to the U.S. generally costs $2,000 to $5,000+ for ocean freight, but the total landed cost can range from $4,000 to over $10,000, factoring in car price, duties (2.5% for cars, 25% for trucks), port fees, customs, and domestic transport. Costs vary significantly by vehicle size, shipping method (shared container vs. RORO), destination port, and compliance needs, with classic cars (25+ years) often needing specific EPA/DOT exemptions.

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.

Yes, you can buy a car in Japan and ship it to the U.S., but it's complex, requiring adherence to strict EPA/DOT rules, paying duties/fees, and extensive paperwork (like Export Certificate, Bill of Lading, EPA Form 3520-1, DOT HS-7 ). The easiest route is importing cars 25+ years old (exempt from modern safety/emissions), while newer cars must be US-spec or meet standards, often necessitating a customs broker, and shipping involves RoRo or container options.