Car/Vehicle Shipping Cost from Yokohama to Luanda

Japan's "3-year car rule" refers to the mandatory Shaken (vehicle inspection) system, where new cars get their first inspection after 3 years, then every 2 years, with the high cost and complexity encouraging many owners to trade in vehicles, creating a large used car market, especially for export. This cycle of frequent, costly checks and increasing taxes incentivizes high car turnover, unlike in countries where cars are kept longer.

Importing a car from Japan costs anywhere from a few thousand dollars to over $10,000, depending on the car's price, shipping, and destination country's taxes/fees, with major expenses including the vehicle itself (FOB), ocean freight (around $900-$1500), customs duties (e.g., 3% in the US), VAT (e.g., 20% in the UK), local compliance/registration, and agent fees. Expect costs for a cheaper car to be around $2,000-$5,000 in total, while pricier models add significantly more.

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.