Route rate sheet · Sea freight · Japan to Australia
Ship a car from Japan to Australia
Yokohama, Nagoya, Kobe to Port of Sydney in a sealed container. One price covers ocean freight, export handling in Japan and marine insurance; destination port charges, duty and VAT are shown separately below.
Rates verified 9 Nov 2026 · page refreshed 10 Nov 2026
7,800 km great circle · 27-40 days
Rates verified 9 Nov 2026 · page refreshed 10 Nov 2026
At a glance
Japan to Australia car shipping: cost, time and rules
Shipping a car from Japan to Australia with IPAS Express costs from $5,472 port to port for one car in its own 20ft container, with live rates from our shipping desk. Duty and VAT in Australia are quoted separately in the landed-cost examples below.
- Ocean freight · 20ft
- $2,500–3,500
- Yokohama / Nagoya / Kobe → Port of Sydney
- Ocean freight · 40ft
- $4,250–4,750
- Two cars, or one large SUV plus parts
- Port to port, 1 car
- from $5,472
- Ocean freight + export handling + insurance
- Sea transit
- 27-40 days
- Port to port
- Import Duty
- 5%
- 0% for USA (AUSFTA), 0% for Japan (JAEPA), 2.5% for India (AI-ECTA)
- VAT/GST
- 10% GST
- Applied on CIF + customs duty
- Steering
- RHD only
- LHD vehicles cannot be registered except via SEVS or 25-year rule
- Age Limit
- 25 years (easy path)
- Newer vehicles require ADR compliance or SEVS/RAV approval
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Rate sheet · Port of Yokohama → Port of Sydney
What it costs, line by line
Insurance is figured on a declared value of $53,200 (reference vehicle: 2026 Toyota Alphard). Every line comes from the same tables the calculator reads, so the quote you get matches this sheet.
1 car · own 20ft container
Any car up to 5.6 m, sealed; door-to-door available
$5,472per car $5,472- Ocean freight
- $3,250
- Export handling
- $2,105
- Insurance
- $117
- Destination est. (at port)
- $1,900
2 cars · 40ft high-cube
Two cars you ship together, or a group booking
$7,442per car $3,721- Ocean freight
- $4,400
- Export handling
- $2,815
- Insurance
- $227
- Destination est. (at port)
- $1,900
3–4 cars · racked 40ft HC
Compact cars on a rack system; racking quoted per booking
Quoteper car from ~$2,100- Ocean freight
- $4,400
- Export handling
- on request
- Insurance
- per value
- Destination est. (at port)
- —
RoRo · per car
Oversize vehicles only; not offered for passenger cars
On requestper car —- Ocean freight
- on request
- Export handling
- on request
- Insurance
- —
- Destination est. (at port)
- —
Air freight
Fastest option, 3–7 days; quoted per aircraft load
Quoteper car —- Ocean freight
- on request
- Export handling
- on request
- Insurance
- per value
- Destination est. (at port)
- —
Scroll for line-by-line costs →
| Shipping option | Total · IPAS price | Per car | Ocean freight | Export handling (Japan) | Insurance 0.2% | Destination charges · est., payable at port |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 car · own 20ft containerAny car up to 5.6 m, sealed; door-to-door available | $5,472 | $5,472 | $3,250 | $2,105packaging $600 · THC $220 · clearance $255 | $117 | $1,900THC $400 · customs handling $1,500 |
| 2 cars · 40ft high-cubeTwo cars you ship together, or a group booking | $7,442 | $3,721 | $4,400 | $2,815packaging 2×$600 · THC $330 · clearance $255 | $227 | $1,900THC $400 · customs handling $1,500 |
| 3–4 cars · racked 40ft HCCompact cars on a rack system; racking quoted per booking | Quote | from ~$2,100 | $4,400 | on request | per value | — |
| RoRo · per carOversize vehicles only; not offered for passenger cars | On request | — | on request | on request | — | — |
| Air freightFastest option, 3–7 days; quoted per aircraft load | Quote | — | on request | on request | per value | — |
Door pick-up within the port's standard radius adds about $660 per car. Insurance is 0.2% of the declared vehicle value, with a per-car minimum. Destination charges are paid at Port of Sydney on arrival and are not part of the total. Duty and VAT are not in this table either: see the landed-cost examples below or run CarImport.AI. Ocean figures are our current route rates and update when the rate table changes.
Included in the IPAS price
- Included: Export packaging, chocking and lashing inside the container
- Included: Export customs clearance in Japan
- Included: Terminal handling at Port of Yokohama
- Included: Ocean freight Port of Yokohama → Port of Sydney
- Included: Marine insurance at 0.2% of the declared value
- Included: Bill of Lading, packing list and tracking
Not included
- Not included: Destination port charges (shown per row; paid at Port of Sydney on arrival)
- Not included: Australia customs duty and VAT
- Not included: Conformity certification and registration inspection
- Not included: Inland collection unless door pick-up is selected
- Not included: Storage or demurrage after the port's free days
- Not included: Personal effects: the car ships empty
Ports & inland reach
Where your car leaves and arrives
Load ports · Japan
Japan
Port of Yokohama
Port of Nagoya
Port of Kobe
Discharge ports · Australia
Australia
Port of Sydney
Port of Brisbane
Port of Melbourne
Landed-cost examples · Australia
Cars worth importing to Australia
Each card is a full landed-cost worksheet computed against the destination's live duty rules. Expand one for the breakdown or open its calculator with the destination pre-selected.
Here is the full landed cost of one car, a 2026 Toyota Alphard shipped from Japan to Australia, worked out on 9 November 2026 with the customs rules in force that day. It lands at 106,220 AUD (about US$72,968), and duties and taxes come to 15.2% of its CIF value.
| Item | Share of CIF | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle priceIPAS price for a car sourced in Japan | 77,443 AUDUS$53,200 | |
| Shipping and insuranceJapan to Australia | 9,782 AUDUS$6,720 | |
| CIF valueCost, insurance and freight: the customs value | 87,226 AUDUS$59,920 | |
| Customs duties and taxes | ||
| Basic customs duty (0%)0% of CIF | 0 AUDUS$0 | |
| Additional duty (33%)Base or related charges differ from CIF; see the duty structure above5.2% of CIF | 4,542 AUDUS$3,120 | |
| GST/VAT (10%)10% of CIF | 8,723 AUDUS$5,992 | |
| Total duties and taxes15.2% of CIF | 13,264 AUDUS$9,112 | |
| Service and handling | ||
| Premium Import ServiceOptional end-to-end import management by IPAS | 2,964 AUDUS$2,036 | |
| Destination handlingPort terminal and customs clearance handling | 2,766 AUDUS$1,900 | |
| Total landed cost | 106,220 AUDUS$72,968 | |
Available now in Japan
Export-ready units from Japan
Importing to Australia
Registering a car from Japan in Australia
What buyers shipping from Japan need to know about Australia's import duties, steering rules and registration.
Importing a car to Australia costs roughly 15-25% in duties and taxes: 5% import duty (0% for USA/Japan under FTA), 10% GST, plus Luxury Car Tax above AUD 76,950. Australia requires RHD configuration and full ADR compliance, with most non-25-year-old vehicles requiring SEVS approval.
Import Process: Australia
- 1
Check SEVS Eligibility and RAV Status
Verify your vehicle appears on the SEVS Register or qualifies via the 25-year rule before purchase. Non-RAV vehicles cannot be registered for road use in Australia.
- 2
Obtain Vehicle Import Approval
Apply through the Department of Infrastructure ROVER system for an Import Approval before shipping. Approval is mandatory and costs AUD 50-630 depending on pathway.
- 3
Confirm ADR Compliance Pathway
Engage a Registered Automotive Workshop (RAW) for compliance work on SEVS vehicles, or document originality for 25-year concessional imports requiring minimal modification.
- 4
Submit Asbestos Declaration
Complete mandatory asbestos-free declaration with test certificates before shipment departs origin. Australian Border Force will hold vehicles lacking this documentation.
- 5
Clear Customs and Pay Duties
Lodge Full Import Declaration (FID) via Integrated Cargo System, pay 5% duty (or 0% FTA), 10% GST, and LCT if applicable. Customs broker recommended for complex valuations.
- 6
Complete State Registration
Pass state-specific roadworthy inspection (NSW Blue Slip, VIC VASS, QLD Safety Certificate), pay stamp duty 2.5-5.75%, and register with your state transport authority.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Importing an LHD vehicle without SEVS approval or 25-year eligibility
Fix
Verify your specific VIN and model year on the SEVS Register before purchase. LHD vehicles under 25 years without SEVS listing cannot be registered anywhere in Australia.
Missing or incomplete asbestos declaration at port of origin
Fix
Obtain laboratory asbestos testing and signed declaration before the vessel sails. ABF will refuse clearance and charge demurrage until compliant documentation is provided.
Underestimating Luxury Car Tax on vehicles above AUD 76,950
Fix
Calculate LCT at 33% on the amount above threshold before committing to purchase. A USD 80,000 vehicle can trigger AUD 15,000+ in LCT alone on top of GST.
FAQ
Japan to Australia shipping questions
With IPAS Express, shipping one car from Japan to Australia costs from $5,472 port to port in its own 20ft container, with sea transit of 27-40 days. Import duty and VAT in Australia are quoted separately in the landed-cost examples on this page.
SEVS is the pathway that lets Australians import approved low-volume, high-performance, or rare vehicles under 25 years old. The vehicle model must be listed on the SEVS Register, and compliance work must be performed by a Registered Automotive Workshop (RAW) before registration.
Vehicles 25 years or older qualify for the concessional RAV entry pathway with minimal ADR compliance required. You still need Import Approval and state roadworthy certification, but expensive modifications like ABS retrofits are generally not mandated.
LCT is charged at 33% on the GST-inclusive value that exceeds AUD 76,950 (standard) or AUD 89,332 (fuel-efficient vehicles consuming ≤7L/100km). For a AUD 120,000 standard vehicle, LCT equals (120,000 − 76,950) × 33% = AUD 14,207.
Australia banned asbestos in 2003 and enforces a strict zero-tolerance border policy. All imported vehicles must arrive with a signed declaration and independent laboratory test certificates confirming no asbestos in gaskets, brake pads, or clutch components.
Yes, each state administers its own inspection (NSW Blue Slip, VIC VASS, QLD Safety Certificate) and stamp duty schedule ranging 2.5-5.75% of vehicle value. Federal Import Approval and ADR compliance apply nationally, but registration fees and inspections are state-specific.
Keep exploring
Related routes and guides
Other origins → Australia
Japan → other destinations
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