Military Car Shipping to Japan: PCS Rules and Costs | 2026

August 1, 2025 at 10:23 AM

The government ships one car to Japan on your PCS orders, and for most families that settles it. The money question is the second car: on our rates table on October 24 2026, a car by ocean container from California costs $3,200 to Yokohama, $3,000 to Okinawa and $2,500 to Kobe.

By the Numbers

1 POV ships at government expense, up to 20 measurement tons (Defense Transportation Regulation, Part IV).
1/4 tank of fuel at most at turn-in, with no exceptions (DTR Part IV; MCIPAC POV shipment guide, May 2025).
0% Japanese customs duty on passenger cars, heading 8703 (Japan Customs tariff, April 1 2026).
2 years: a car imported duty-free as household effects can't be sold or given away for 2 years from the import permit (Japan Customs).
California to Yokohama $3,200, 24 days · Okinawa $3,000, 31 days · Kobe $2,500, 34 days. New Jersey to Yokohama $3,250, 39 days · Okinawa $3,350, 30 days (WCS rates table, October 24 2026).

What the Government Ships, and What It Doesn't

The Defense Transportation Regulation allows one privately owned vehicle at government expense, up to 20 measurement tons. You book it through PCSmyPOV, the Defense Department contractor's site, and turn the car in at a vehicle processing center. Air freight for a POV is not authorized at government expense.

Timing rules differ by branch. The Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard accept a POV when at least 12 months remain on your tour once the car reaches the loading port. The Air Force accepts it within 90 days after you leave for a tour of more than 1 year, or within 30 days for a shorter one.

Our view: let the government move the daily driver. A second car, a motorcycle or a classic you can't leave behind is where a private shipment earns its price, because the rest of the move already runs on the military's schedule.

Shipping a Second Car or a Classic Privately

A private shipment to Japan goes by ocean container from our own warehouses in California, Florida and New Jersey, covering all of the US for imports and exports. California is the short crossing: 24 days to Yokohama, 31 to Okinawa and 34 to Kobe on our rates table. From New Jersey, Okinawa is 30 days and Yokohama 39.

Our own team loads every car and handles every document on the US side. We ship door to door, by ocean or air, so the car can come from your driveway, a dealer or an auction rather than a base lot. The shipping calculator prices your exact pickup and port.

Japanese Customs: Duty, Tax and the 2-Year Rule

Japan charges 0% customs duty on passenger cars. Consumption tax on imports is 10%, charged on the customs value plus duty, unless the car qualifies for an exemption.

Japan Customs exempts a used car brought in as household effects when you move your residence, if you have been abroad for more than 1 year or will stay in Japan for more than 1 year. The application goes in 3 copies with proof that the car was used, such as its US registration, and proof of entry to Japan. The car must not be sold or given away within 2 years of the import permit, or duty becomes payable.

If you hold Status of Forces Agreement status, your base registration office tells you which of these steps apply to you. Ask before the car sails, not after it lands.

Registering the Car in Japan

Every imported car needs registration before it drives on Japanese roads. Japan Customs issues a vehicle customs clearance certificate, Form C-8050, which the registration office asks for. Clearance can be filed by you or by a Japanese customs broker.

Insurance and road costs in Japan are separate from freight. Budget for them early, and keep the car's US title: you will need it again for the trip home.

Preparing the Car

Fuel at 1/4 tank or less.
Clean inside and out, underside included.
Household items out of the car. The MCIPAC guide allows car tools up to $200 in value.
Title, PCS orders, and a lienholder letter if the car is financed. Our power of attorney guide covers the export paperwork.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the military pay to ship my car to Japan?

The Defense Transportation Regulation allows one POV at government expense on PCS orders, up to 20 measurement tons, booked through PCSmyPOV. A second car is shipped at your own cost.

How much does it cost to ship a car to Japan privately?

On our rates table on October 24 2026, a car by ocean container from California costs $3,200 to Yokohama, $3,000 to Okinawa and $2,500 to Kobe. From New Jersey it costs $3,250 to Yokohama and $3,350 to Okinawa.

How long does shipping a car to Japan take?

From California it is 24 days to Yokohama, 31 days to Okinawa and 34 days to Kobe. From New Jersey it is 39 days to Yokohama and 30 days to Okinawa.

Is there import duty on a car shipped to Japan?

Japan's customs duty on passenger cars is 0%. Consumption tax on imports is 10% of the customs value plus duty, unless the car is exempt as household effects.

Can I sell my car in Japan after shipping it there?

A car imported duty-free as household effects must not be sold or given away within 2 years of the import permit, or duty becomes payable.

More Military Shipping Guides

Conclusion

A Japan PCS comes down to one free car, a 1/4 tank and a 2-year hold on resale. Ship the daily driver with the government and decide on the second car by what it's worth to you, not by habit. Shipping a second car, a classic, or one you bought at an auction or show overseas? Price it in our shipping calculator, and we will ship it door to door by ocean or air.

It's your dream car. Let's bring her home.

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