How Does Car Shipping from Japan to Australia Work?

Big car carrier ship at sea, showing roll-on roll-off car shipping for Japanese imported cars to Australia.

By Admin on 2025/02/07

So you've got your eye on a Japanese car? Great choice! While we've previously covered the complete JDM import process and import timeline in other guides, today let's chat about what happens when it comes to getting your new ride from Japan to Australian shores. Trust us - it's not as complicated as you might think.

Understanding Car Shipping from Japan to Australia: The Basics

Getting your car from Japan to Australia is a bit like sending a very large, very valuable package. The good news? This route is so well-established that it's practically a maritime motorway. Most vehicles make their journey via specialised car carriers, and you've got a couple of options for how your car makes its trip.

Container vs Roll-on Roll-off Car Shipping

Container Shipping: Think of this as your car's private cabin. It gets its own secure container for the journey. It's pricier, but it's great if you're shipping multiple cars and parts together, or something really rare or valuable.
Roll-on Roll-off car shipping (RoRo): This is the more common option. Your car is simply driven onto a special ship and parked securely in the cargo deck. It's like a massive floating car park, and it's generally cheaper than container shipping.

The Journey: From Japanese Port to Australian Shore

Whether you choose container or Roll-On Roll-Off car shipping, once your car is loaded up the journey looks the same. Typically, you can expect your new motor to spend about 2-3 weeks at sea. Don't worry - Japanese imported cars make this journey to Australia all the time, and modern tracking systems mean we can keep an eye on your vehicle's progress throughout its journey.

What to Expect When Your Car Arrives in Australia

Japanese imported cars Australia: Close up of a Nissan steering wheel

Australian Port Procedures

When your car reaches Australia, it needs to go through a few steps:

Customs clearance
Quarantine inspection
Unloading
Transport to a compliance facility

Our shipping and compliance partners will handle these port procedures and ensure that your car is smoothly received and processed through the port on arrival. For more detail about how long the import journey takes and factors that can speed it up, take a peek at our guide on how long it takes to import cars to Australia.

How Much Does it Cost to Ship a Vehicle?

Of course, if you’re thinking about importing a car to Australia from Japan, you’re going to wonder how much it costs. The cost of car shipping from Japan to Australia varies based on a few things:

The size of your car
Whether you go for container or RORO car shipping
Which ports you're shipping between
Current shipping rates (they change like fuel prices)
Insurance coverage

For an accurate answer to the question ‘how much does it cost to ship a vehicle’, it’s best to get in touch so we can give you an accurate quote based on your vehicle. Curious about the other costs involved in sourcing a Japanese car? Check out our complete guide to importing cars to Australia.

Getting Your Car Ready for Shipping

Black Nissan is being washed - Japanese imported cars Australia

While our team handles most of the heavy lifting when it comes to preparing your car for shipping, there are a few things you should know. Before any car leaves Japan, we make sure it's properly cleaned (Australian quarantine is super strict about this), documented, and secured for its journey. You don't need to worry about the technical details - that's what we're here for!

Japanese Imported Cars in Australia: Making It Simple

Japanese imported cars are hugely popular in Australia, and we've got the process down to a fine art. While roll-on roll-off car shipping is the go-to choice for most of our customers, we'll help you figure out what works best for your situation. With over two decades of experience and more than 60,000 vehicles exported, we know a thing or two about getting cars safely from Japan to Australia. The best part? You don't have to figure any of this out on your own. We'll handle all the complicated bits, keep you updated throughout the process, and make sure your car arrives safe and sound. Still got questions about shipping your dream car from Japan? Ready to get started? Our team is available to answer any questions and make this process as smooth as possible - so don’t hesitate to get in touch. And don't forget to check out our other guides on import regulations and timelines - they're packed with useful info that'll help you understand the whole process better.