Shipping Cost from Zurich to Tokyo

Japan's "3-year car rule" refers to the mandatory, expensive vehicle inspection called Shaken, where new cars first require this rigorous safety check three years after purchase, then every two years, and annually after ten years, encouraging frequent vehicle replacement and boosting the used car export market due to high costs and taxes, say www.japan-guide.com, Reddit, and Bloomberg.com. This system ensures high road safety standards but leads many owners to scrap older cars rather than pay for extensive repairs, fueling the international market for seemingly newer used vehicles, according to Bloomberg.com, Facebook, and Reddit.

It's usually cheaper to drive for shorter distances, but for long cross-country moves, shipping can become competitive or even cheaper when you factor in the "hidden" costs of driving (gas, hotels, food, wear-and-tear) versus the upfront shipping fee, especially if you're moving with others or have an unreliable car.

The cheapest kind of international car shipping is a RORO vessel. This shipping method is often more affordable for shipping cars than containers or air freight. However, it also leaves your vehicle more susceptible to damage during transport to your final destination.