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IMPORT CARS FROM JAPAN: Complete 2024 Car Import Guide + Car Import & Tax and Duty Calculator

We specialize in car imports from Japan to the US by ocean and air.  Our expert US based team ships over 16,000 cars worldwide each year through our facilities in California, Florida and New Jersey. We provide an unmatched door-to-door import car service from Japan using our network of trusted partners, agents, and reliable carriers worldwide.

Read our car import from Japan guide below, and get rates to import your car.

How to Import Cars From Japan

We help car enthusiasts import their dream cars from anywhere in the world. 

The United States imports more vehicles than any other country in the world. Buying cars from Japan and importing them to the US is becoming increasingly popular due to vehicle rarity and the potential to get a good deal on cars due to a strong US dollar. The increasing popularity allows us to offer shared container service, saving you up to 50% on car imports.

Trusted by Collectors, Dealers, Auctions & Manufacturers Worldwide

Our global team works to provide safe and reliable international shipping for collector cars worldwide. With extensive experience and door to door transport options we've become the go-to team to provide international logistics support for car events, rallies, shows and auctions around the world. We are here to guide you through the import process and the complexities with importing vehicles and US Customs the NHTSA, DOT and the EPA.  

Frequently Asked Questions on Car Imports from Japan:

Why Choose Us to Import Your Car from Japan?

We make the dream of importing car from Japan a reality. Our team handles everything in Japan and the US to ensure a simple door-to-door car import process. With decades of expertise with classic and collector cars, we specialize in the safe import of all car types. Our goal is the safe relocation of vehicles worldwide using the most reliable shipping options, along with decades of experience in safe and secure loading.  Choose your journey, by airplane or by ocean container, and we make sure your dream car arrives safely from Japan to the US.

 US Car Import Rate Calculator

Get a door-to-door rate to import your car to the USA instantly using our car import calculator.

 

Transit Times for Car Imports from Japan

  • 2 weeks to clear customs, load into a container and onto the ocean vessel
  • An additional week for shared container service
  • 5-10 weeks sailing from Japan to New Jersey and Florida
  • 2-3 weeks sailing from Japan to California
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 Car Imports From Japan Made More Affordable

We make it affordable to import cars from Japan using our consolidation import containers. Now you can get your hands on the never before available cars while saving on the shipping costs. Due to the large volume of vehicles we import, we can offer safe consolidation from Japan, Europe and the UK. We also continue to offer dedicated import container service for when the car must be in its own exclusive container.

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What do the Import Rates Include?

We believe in making it easy to import cars to the US. We do our best to give one rate which includes everything to get your cars here, including duties, shipping, ground transport and more. Here are all of the charges included:

  • Inland pickup in Japan via open or enclosed* trailer
  • Warehouse acceptance fee
  • Warehouse storage fee
  • Booking fee
  • Handling fee
  • Chassis Fee
  • Drayage
  • Block & brace
  • Seal fee
  • Humidifier fee
  • Picture fees
  • Ocean freight service
  • Mailing of documents
  • ISF Filing
  • DTHC
  • Appointment fee
  • Gate fee
  • AMS Filing
  • Release fee
  • Unloading in one of our own secure warehouses
  • 5 days of free storage at our warehouses
  • Delivery to your door via open or enclosed* trailer

*when the option is selected in the import calculator when calculating the rate.




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We Provide Safe Transport From Across Japan:

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Car Import Services From Japan:

  • Secure Container & Air Freight service
  • Secure container loading & crating options
  • Export Procedures in Japan & US import customs clearance
  • Door to door delivery
  • Short-term & long-term secure storage
  • Auctions
  • Temporary, permanent & event imports
  • Returning US vehicles



US Car Import Laws & Restrictions

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We are dedicated to making the import process smooth and hassle-free. With the intricate US import laws, customs regulations, and documentation needs, it's essential for consumers and businesses to have expert assistance when bringing vehicles into the US.

Our team is well-versed in offering logistics assistance for a variety of occasions, including events, rallies, shows, and auctions. Additionally, we specialize in handling tourist and temporary imports, providing support with necessary documentation for temporary entry of foreign vehicles in the US for up to 1 year.

We work with customs, the NHTSA, DOT, EPA, and the DMV to ensure that all types of vehicles are imported safely and legally.

US Import Car Restrictions

Regulations on car imports from Japan vary by vehicle age and the intended vehicle use.

Vehicles 25 years old and OLDER:

  • Not required to conform to DOT & EPA rules as long as the vehicle is unmodified

Vehicles UNDER 25 years old:

  • Factory built race cars have no age requirement and can be imported regardless of age
  • Unmodified US built vehicles can be returned back to the United States
  • Show & display vehicles for events, testing, and other applicable use cases

US Car Import Duties & Taxes

This is the duty rate for vehicles from Japan and imported to the US :

  • 2.5% for automobiles
  • 2.5% for motorcycles and auto parts
  • 25% for pickup trucks due to the Chicken Tax

Paperwork Required For Imports To The US

These are the documents required to legally import your car from Japan into the US:

  • original bill of lading
  • bill of sale
  • Foreign registration or US title
  • Letter of approval from the NHTSA
  • EPA Form 3520-1
  • DOT Form HS-7
CAR IMPORT LAWS 

About Us

We pride ourselves in safe and reliable international car shipping for consumers, dealers, collectors, and wholesalers around the world. We speak English, German, French, Dutch, Arabic, & Spanish.

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"Professional service at unbeatable prices. We have tried WCS with a number of cars from NJ and CA to Bremerhaven and we are happy with the results. They handled our classic cars with care and responded rapidly to any of our emails. All together they offer a great service!"

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"With West Coast Shipping, I am always on top of what's going on in the industry. Their guides are a great resource for beginners and seasoned car professionals alike. I have learned so much since I partnered with West Coast Shipping 5 years ago."

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