Military Car Shipping To Japan: Essential 2025 PCS Tips

Relocating under Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders to Japan is an exciting milestone, yet the prospect of moving a privately owned vehicle (POV) across the Pacific can feel intimidating. With the right planning—and the right logistics partner—your car can arrive at Yokota, Misawa, or Okinawa on time, on budget, and in perfect condition.

1. Understand Your PCS Entitlement

What the Government Covers

1. One POV at no cost on the Defense Department’s contract carrier between a U.S. Vehicle Processing Center (VPC) and the Yokohama VPC.

2. Storage in lieu of shipment if you choose to buy a local car in Japan.

3. Return shipment at your next PCS back to CONUS or another OCONUS post.

Out-of-Pocket Scenarios

• Second cars, motorcycles, trailers, or classic toys.

• Late VPC turn-in beyond authorized windows (30 days Army, 90 days Air Force).

• Enclosed pickup, door delivery, or fast-track air freight upgrades.

• Port fees in Japan for any POV not shipped on the DoD contract.

For deeper insight on true savings versus marketing hype, see “Do Military Car Shipping Discounts Really Exist?” within our blog.

2. Air Freight vs. Sea Freight to Japan

Key Takeaways

• Plan early and sea freight fits most timelines at one-third of air cost.

• Air freight shines for last-minute orders, competition vehicles, or duty-related delays.

• Shared containers from our Oakland yard depart weekly, ideal when shipping two POVs with a fellow service member.

3. From Orders to Okinawa: A Timeline

4. Essential Paperwork

• Originals or notarized copies*

• PCS orders with POV authorization

• Vehicle title or lienholder permission letter

• Power of Attorney granting West Coast Shipping export authority

• EPA 3520-1 (declare PCS exemption)

• DOT HS-7 (Code C for non-resident military)

• Military ID copy for customs duty waiver

• Copy of Japanese Compulsory Coverage (JCI) quote for registration

Templates appear inside Documents You Need to Ship an Auction Car, which mirrors PCS requirements.

5. Preparing Your Car for the Pacific

1. Steam-clean the undercarriage—Japanese Animal & Plant Quarantine officers reject soil or vegetation.

2. Remove all personal goods except factory items (spare, jack, child seat).

3. Fuel to ¼ or less to pass hazmat checks.

4. Disconnect aftermarket alarms and stereos that drain batteries.

5. Two keys plus wheel-lock adapter taped to steering wheel.

6. Spare parts boxed, labeled, and listed on the bill of lading if shipped in the container.

Photo documentation of every dent and scratch happens during Oakland loading—see our Auction to Your Door workflow for details.

6. Arrival in Japan: Customs, JCI, and Road-Worthiness

Customs & Duty

• Active-duty shipments clear duty-free under SOFA status.

• Second POVs pay 8% Japanese consumption tax on CIF value.

• Customs requires export and ownership evidence; West Coast Shipping’s Yokohama partner pre-files to shorten clearance.

Japanese Compulsory Coverage (JCI)

• Mandatory before registration; policies sold in 12- or 24-month blocks.

• Provide chassis number, shipping manifests, and customs release.

Road-Worthiness & Base Decals

1. JCI inspection (tires, brakes, emissions, lights).

2. Base safety inspection for mirrors, horn, parking brake.

3. USFJ Form 4EJ registration at Pass & ID for plates and decals.

7. Typical Cost Breakdown (Sea Freight)

2018 Toyota 4Runner | Fort Lewis pickup → Oakland yard → Yokohama → Camp Zama

Add ¥40,000–¥60,000 for JCI plus ¥7,500 road tax.

8. Five Cost-Saving Tactics for Japan-Bound POVs

1. Consolidate with friends—pair two POVs in one 40-ft container and cut per-car ocean cost nearly 30%.

2. Ship during off-peak—fall sailings avoid summer premium rates and port backlogs.

3. Leverage on-base group pickups at Camp Pendleton, JBLM, and Fort Liberty for $150-$250 inland savings.

4. Use SOFA duty waivers—ensure customs officer stamps U.S. forces paperwork for first POV.

5. Verify size limits early—lifted trucks over 2.58 m door height require RoRo, adding $400–$600.

9. Frequently Asked Questions

Can I import a left-hand-drive car?

Yes, but some prefectures impose lane change mirror rules; WCS’s Japan agent fits temporary convex mirrors if needed.

How early should I start?

60 days before your report date ensures the best container slots and avoids expedited fees.

What about leased vehicles?

Secure a letter from the finance company authorizing export and Japanese registration; most lenders comply within 10 days.

Do I need an international driver’s permit?

You may drive on your stateside license up to 30 days; after that, obtain a USFJ driver’s permit on base.

Can I ship aftermarket wheels separately?

Yes. We crate them, assign a parts line on the manifest, and load next to your POV inside the container.

10. Why West Coast Shipping Is the Military’s Japan Specialist

• Oakland headquarters near Travis AFB for rapid POV drop-off.

• Weekly Pacific sailings to Yokohama and Kobe.

• On-base pickups in CONUS and door delivery on Japanese bases.

• Paperwork perfection: PCS exemption filings, SOFA duty waivers, and JCI coordination.

• Real-time tracking and photo milestones in our secure portal.

Explore more Japan shipping insights on our country page.

Calculate Your Japan PCS Shipping Quote

Heading to the Pacific? Click below for an instant, all-inclusive rate, reserve container space, and let West Coast Shipping deliver your POV from your driveway to Japanese roads—on schedule and stress-free.