Car Shipping Time and Costs from Japan to Australia [2026 Update]
- AUTOSHIFT
- Jul 16
- 4 min read
Once you've confirmed that the vehicle you want is eligible to be imported into Australia, the next big question is usually: how long will it take, and how much will it actually cost?
This article breaks down the typical timeline and costs of shipping a car from Japan to Australia, along with the key factors that can cause those costs to vary.
How long does it take to ship a car from Japan to Australia?
From the moment you purchase a vehicle in Japan to the moment it's registered and road-legal in Australia, the process typically takes around 2 to 3 months.
That said, the exact timeframe can shift depending on the approval process for your Import Approval, vessel schedules, and port congestion.
Looking at ocean transit alone, shipping usually takes anywhere from 1 week to 1 month
For example, when shipping from the Port of Yokohama to the Port of Brisbane, if Brisbane is the vessel's first port of call, transit can take as little as about a week. On the other hand, if the route calls at Sydney or Melbourne before reaching Brisbane, it can take over a month.
Even after the vehicle arrives at port, it still needs to go through quarantine, customs clearance, compliance inspection, and registration — so it isn't ready to drive the moment the ship docks.
For this reason, it's best to plan for a total window of around 2 to 3 months when importing a car to Australia.
Major export ports in Japan
Used vehicles exported from Japan to Australia are typically shipped from the following ports:
Port of Yokohama
Port of Nagoya
Port of Osaka
The export port is usually chosen based on proximity to your home or the auction house where the vehicle was purchased.
In general, there isn't a major difference in export procedures or costs between these ports. However, the Port of Yokohama is Japan's largest hub for used-car exports, offering a wider range of shipping companies and routes.
This means that if speed or shipping schedule flexibility is a priority, Yokohama can sometimes offer faster access to available vessels.
That said, depending on where the vehicle is sourced, inland transport to Yokohama may cost more — so Yokohama isn't always the optimal choice in every case.
Major import ports in Australia
Australia has designated import ports in each state, and the arrival port is usually matched to the state where the vehicle will be registered.
State | Major City | Main Port |
Queensland | Brisbane | Port of Brisbane |
New South Wales | Sydney | Port Kembla |
Victoria | Melbourne | Port of Melbourne |
South Australia | Adelaide | Port Adelaide |
Western Australia | Perth | Fremantle Port |
How much does shipping from Japan to Australia cost?
Shipping costs for a used car from Japan to Australia vary depending on the vehicle type, arrival port, exchange rate, and carrier freight rates, but as a general guide, expect around AUD $2,000–$3,000.
This figure covers freight only — additional customs-related costs apply on top of this when the vehicle is imported.
Taxes and customs costs when importing a vehicle into Australia
Beyond the shipping cost itself, importing a used car by sea involves a number of additional charges:
Item | Cost (AUD) |
GST (Goods and Services Tax) | 10% of the taxable value |
Quarantine Processing Charge | $50–100 |
Declaration Processing Charge | $50–100 |
Duty | 0% for Japanese-made vehicles; 5% for other origins |
LCT (Luxury Car Tax) | See details below |
Delivery (inland transport from port) | $200–1,000 (varies by destination) |
GST is charged at 10% of the taxable value. This taxable value includes not just the vehicle price (FOB price), but also shipping, insurance, and duty — so the 10% isn't applied to the vehicle price alone.
For vehicles manufactured in Japan, duty is generally not charged. However, if you're importing a European or other non-Japanese brand vehicle from Japan, a 5% duty applies to the FOB price.
Additionally, if the taxable value — including vehicle price, duty, shipping, insurance, and GST — exceeds AUD $80,567 (or AUD $91,387 for fuel-efficient vehicles), the vehicle becomes subject to LCT (Luxury Car Tax).
LCT is charged at 33% on the amount above the relevant threshold. For example, if the taxable value is AUD $100,000, LCT is calculated on the portion exceeding AUD $80,567.
On top of duties and taxes, actually importing a vehicle also involves the vehicle purchase price, compliance costs, registration fees, quarantine fees, and other expenses.
If you're wondering "so what's the total cost, really?" — we've put together a separate article breaking down the full cost based on real import cases. You can check it out here:
What happens after the vehicle arrives in Australia, through to delivery
About a week before the ship arrives in Australia, the shipping company contacts the
consignee (the person receiving the vehicle in Australia) to confirm delivery details.
In most cases, the vehicle is transported directly from the port to a compliance centre.
The time between port arrival and delivery to the compliance centre depends on port congestion and the transport company's schedule, but it typically takes a few days to about a week.
From there, the vehicle undergoes compliance inspection and other required procedures. Once inspection is complete, state-specific vehicle inspections (such as a Roadworthy Certificate) and registration are carried out.
Once all of this is finished, the vehicle is finally road-legal and ready for delivery to the customer.
Post-arrival process
Ship arrives in Australia
Customs clearance and quarantine inspection at the port
Transport to the compliance centre
Compliance inspection
State-based vehicle inspection (e.g. Roadworthy Certificate)
Vehicle registration
Delivery and first drive
Importing a vehicle from Japan? Leave it to AUTOSHIFT
AUTOSHIFT provides end-to-end support — from sourcing your vehicle in Japan through to registration and delivery in Australia.
We handle the entire import process for you: vehicle sourcing, Import Approval applications, shipping arrangements, liaising with carriers, customs clearance, compliance, and registration.
We also factor in Import Approval timing and vessel schedules to arrange shipping on the earliest available vessel, helping get your vehicle to Australia as quickly as possible.
Whether you're wondering "can this car be imported?" or "what will the total cost be?", feel free to get in touch.
Drawing on our experience across both Japan and Australia, we're here to make your vehicle import smooth and reliable.
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