Shipping Cost from Chengdu to Tokyo

Japan's "3-year car rule" refers to the mandatory, costly vehicle inspection called Shaken, where new passenger cars first get a 3-year certificate, then renew every 2 years, encouraging frequent car replacement and boosting the used car export market, rather than a strict scrapping law. This system, along with higher taxes on older cars, makes it economically sensible for many owners to trade in before major maintenance, creating a large supply of relatively young used vehicles.

Driving is usually cheaper for shorter distances, but for long cross-country moves, the cost difference shrinks, and shipping can become comparable or even cheaper once you factor in gas, lodging, food, wear-and-tear, and your time, making the decision depend on distance, vehicle, your schedule, and budget. Driving saves money on carrier fees but adds wear on your car, while shipping costs more upfront but saves time, fuel, and stress.

The cheapest international car shipping method is Roll-on/Roll-off (RORO), where you drive your car onto a specialized ship, offering significant savings over container shipping for standard vehicles, though it leaves the car exposed; for better protection on high-value cars, shared containers are cheaper than dedicated ones, while air freight is the most expensive but fastest option. To find the best deal, compare quotes from several international shippers like those found on uShip or Shiply or Shiply, and factor in potential customs duties.