Shipping a Car to Tokyo from the UK: Complete Japan City Guide

Tokyo is the largest metropolitan area in the world and home to one of the most sophisticated automotive cultures anywhere. While the city is famous for kei cars and JDM tuner culture, there is also a deep, well-funded market for British marques — Aston Martin, Bentley, Jaguar, Land Rover, McLaren, Lotus, Mini and Morgan all enjoy active owners' clubs. UK-built classic British cars in particular command strong prices in Tokyo, and many of the best examples in Japan were originally exported from the UK.

Vehicles destined for Tokyo nearly always enter Japan through the Port of Yokohama, the country's busiest motor terminal. Yokohama is a 30 minute drive from central Tokyo and handles the majority of new and used vehicle imports for the Kanto region. The Ship Cars operates regular container shipping services from Southampton to Yokohama, with RORO shipping available on selected sailings. Both countries drive on the left, so UK right-hand-drive cars are fully compatible without conversion.

For a wider view of the Japanese market, see our companion guide to shipping a car to Japan, which covers Nagoya and Osaka as well as Yokohama.

Imports into Japan are regulated by Japan Customs and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT). Tokyo itself does not impose additional restrictions, but the city's high property values mean parking certification (Shako Shomeisho) is more demanding than in rural prefectures.

No customs duty — Japan applies 0% import duty on passenger vehicles regardless of origin, which makes it one of the most cost-effective destinations in the world from a duty perspective.

Consumption tax — 10% of the assessed import value, payable at Yokohama before release.

Shaken (vehicle inspection) — Every imported car must pass Japan's roadworthiness inspection at a registered MLIT testing centre. Common areas where UK cars need attention include rear fog lamp positioning, headlamp beam pattern (LHD pattern is required for new tests, but RHD vehicles use a special exemption process), and emissions equipment.

JCI (Japan Compliance Inspection) for older imports — Vehicles over 25 years old qualify for the Antique route, which removes most modern emission requirements but still requires basic safety compliance.

Parking certification — Tokyo residents must produce a valid parking certificate from their local police station before the vehicle can be registered. Without it the registration application is refused.

Documentation — Original V5C, Bill of Lading, commercial invoice, export certificate, residence card, Inkan (personal seal) registration and proof of parking. The Ship Cars partners with bilingual import agents in Yokohama to manage every step.

Container shipping from Southampton to Yokohama (recommended)
• Shared 40ft: £2,500 to £3,800 per vehicle
• Dedicated 20ft: £3,200 to £5,500
• Transit time: 35 to 45 days via the Suez Canal

RORO from Southampton to Yokohama
• Indicative cost: £1,900 to £3,300
• Transit time: 38 to 50 days
• Best for standard production vehicles in good running condition; less suitable for collectables

Japan landed cost components
• Customs duty: 0%
• Consumption tax: 10% of assessed value
• Vehicle acquisition tax: approximately 3% of assessed value
• Yokohama port handling and delivery order: JPY 50,000 to 120,000
• Shaken inspection and preparation: JPY 100,000 to 300,000 depending on the vehicle
• Recycling deposit: JPY 7,000 to 20,000
• Registration and plates: JPY 30,000 to 60,000
• Tokyo parking certification: JPY 2,500 to 3,000

For a full breakdown of overseas costs, read our shipping cost guide or run your specific vehicle through our cost calculator.

The Shaken inspection is the single biggest variable when importing a car to Tokyo. UK vehicles generally need three groups of preparation before they will pass:

1. Lighting — Rear fog lamp must be on the offside (right) of the vehicle. UK cars have it on the right already, so this is usually compliant. Headlamp beam pattern is checked carefully.
2. Emissions — Modern UK cars meeting Euro 5 or Euro 6 generally pass without modification. Pre-2005 vehicles may need a smoke test or catalytic converter check.
3. Dimensions and weight — Recorded against the vehicle's Japanese registration class. Cars over 1,700 mm wide are taxed as 'large' (3-numbered plates) which carries a higher annual tax than the 'standard' 5-numbered class.

Once Shaken is passed, the local police issue parking certification, the Land Transport Office issues plates and the car is yours to drive. Tokyo's road network is exceptional, the toll system (ETC) is straightforward to fit, and parking — while expensive — is well organised. Many imported British classics in Tokyo cover only modest annual mileage but are lovingly maintained.

- Use a bilingual import agent — Shaken paperwork is in Japanese and the inspection vocabulary is technical. The Ship Cars works with two trusted English-speaking agents in Yokohama.
• Insure for collector value — Many UK cars sent to Japan are classics or low-mileage modern collectables. Use agreed-value marine transit insurance rather than market-value cover.
• Consider an enclosed container — Yokohama is a dry, well-organised terminal but a 35-day sea passage exposes any car to humidity and salt. A dedicated container with desiccant is a small premium for serious collectables.
• Time your shipment around Shaken — A car arriving in October will sit waiting for Shaken slots that fill quickly before the New Year. We can advise on the best month to ship.
• Check parking before you ship — A Tokyo parking certificate is non-negotiable. Confirm your space before the car arrives, not after.

Ready to ship a UK car to Tokyo? You can request a free quote online or contact our team for door-to-door pricing through Yokohama.