Car/Vehicle Shipping Cost from Yokohama to San Diego, California

It's usually cheaper to drive your car than ship it, especially for shorter distances, as driving costs only cover gas, some food, and basic lodging; however, shipping becomes more appealing if your car's unreliable, you have a luxury vehicle, or you value your time and safety more than the extra expense of a professional service, with longer trips shrinking the cost gap.

As your car enters the port warehouse, the vehicle is prepped for shipment. Then as the ship leaves the port, you will receive a Bill of Lading and notification with the ETA. How long does it take to import a car from Japan to the USA? Shipping a car from Japan will take on average 8-10 weeks.

Japanese cars, especially used ones, are often cheap due to a combination of factors: excellent local manufacturing keeping new car prices low, a culture of frequent car replacement driven by Japan's strong public transport and strict, costly inspections (Shaken) that push owners to sell rather than repair, and a favorable exchange rate for foreign buyers, making them bargains for export despite their good condition.