There are several ways to ride in Japan. You can rent a bike, or buy one here and ride it. But some riders want to travel on their own machine \u2014 the one they’ve spent years dialing in to fit their body perfectly. Some are mid-way through a world tour and want to include Japan on the route.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Others have found a vehicle that only exists in Japan. A JDM they spotted at auction, or a bike they came across at a shop \u2014 and they need to get it home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For all of these, we handle the international shipping logistics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Overseas \u2192 Japan, Japan \u2192 overseas. Route selection, packing arrangements, documentation, and coordination with our partners. The kind of thing that tends to stop people in their tracks \u2014 “where do I even start?” \u2014 we take care of it end to end.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What you need depends on your goal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Not sure? Just reach out. We’ll listen and work out together where to begin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are four main options. Which one fits depends on your budget, timeline, and route.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These are rough benchmarks. Costs vary significantly depending on the origin\/destination combination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The above are Japan-side costs only. Destination-side port fees, import duties, inspection, and registration fees apply separately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Air or sea? Which port or airport? We look at the balance of cost and time and propose a realistic route.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Air is fast but expensive. Sea freight is cheaper but takes 2\u20136 weeks. Depending on the origin and destination, options may be limited. Sorting that out is the first step.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In international shipping, packing specs can determine whether a shipment is even possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Does it need a crate, or will a pallet do? Do the handlebar width and case dimensions fit within the required envelope? What are the hazmat conditions for fuel and batteries?<\/p>\n\n\n\n These are the things that, if not checked in advance, result in “sorry, we can’t ship this” and starting over. We confirm everything with our partners upfront to catch problems before they happen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Export deregistration, commercial invoice, packing list, Carnet de Passages, temporary import declaration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n International shipping always involves paperwork \u2014 but you don’t have to handle all of it yourself. From the start, we’ll be clear about what’s needed, what we can prepare on our end, and what we’ll need from you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For permanent exports, the process begins with provisional export deregistration at the Land Transport Office. For temporary exports, a Carnet de Passages en Douane is required. We’ll walk you through either scenario.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Vehicle collection on the Japan side, delivery to the port or airport, and receipt upon arrival.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “Can I collect it at the airport myself?” “Can it be delivered to my hotel?” “Can I ride it to the port?” \u2014 it varies by situation, so we work it out case by case.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you’re bringing your bike from overseas, riding Japan, and taking it back home, this falls under temporary import procedures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With a Carnet de Passages en Douane (CPD), temporary customs clearance is granted duty-free. In Japan, JAF (Japan Automobile Federation) is the issuing authority.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On entry: declare at customs with your JAF certificate and Carnet. On departure: re-export declaration with the Carnet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On ferries operating between Japan and other countries (Osaka, Kobe, Sakaiminato, Shimonoseki, Hakata), duty-free temporary import\/export is possible using a standard “Temporary Vehicle Import\/Export Declaration.” No Carnet required.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2192 Full procedural details are covered in our guide: How to Export a Motorcycle from Japan<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n “What if it gets damaged in transit?”<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n We photograph the vehicle’s condition before packing. Packing specs are confirmed with our partners to ensure the method is appropriate for international transport. We can also arrange shipping insurance \u2014 typically 0.1\u20130.8% of the declared value.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We won’t say the risk is zero. But by working out in advance exactly how the bike will be secured and protected, we can prevent the vast majority of issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “What if it doesn’t arrive?”<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n We can track shipment status through our partners. If a delay occurs, we’ll let you know as soon as we find out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n International shipping can be disrupted by weather, customs, or port congestion. That’s why we recommend building in buffer time \u2014 and we’ll flag any known delay risks from the outset.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “I have no idea what this will cost.”<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Because it depends on vehicle size, origin, destination, and shipping method, there’s no fixed price list. That said, if you can give us something like “one motorcycle from [country] to Japan by sea,” we can get you a ballpark.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “If the vehicle is cheap, would buying locally be better value?”<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Once you factor in shipping, customs, insurance, and taxes, the total cost is at minimum \u00a5250,000\u2013400,000. If the vehicle is priced under \u00a5500,000, buying a used one locally may actually be cheaper. That said, if you have a specific bike you want shipped, that’s a different conversation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Exporting from Japan is one thing \u2014 the receiving country will also have its own procedures and costs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Destination-side procedures are handled by a local customs broker. Once we know which country you’re shipping to, we can flag the key considerations in advance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Service fee + actual costs (payments to partner vendors)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Factors that affect pricing:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/th> LCL (Sea Freight, Shared)<\/strong><\/th> FCL (Sea Freight, Full Container)<\/strong><\/th> Ro-Ro<\/strong><\/th> Air Freight<\/strong><\/th><\/tr><\/thead> Cost (approx.)<\/strong><\/td> \u00a5200,000+\/unit<\/td> \u00a550,000+ (SE Asia routes)<\/td> Route-dependent<\/td> \u00a5500,000+<\/td><\/tr> Transit Time<\/strong><\/td> 3\u20136 weeks<\/td> 3\u20136 weeks<\/td> 2\u20135 weeks<\/td> 3\u20137 days<\/td><\/tr> Pros<\/strong><\/td> From 1 unit. Low cost<\/td> No crating needed. Cost-efficient at volume<\/td> No packing needed. Ridden on board<\/td> Fastest by far<\/td><\/tr> Cons<\/strong><\/td> Crating required<\/td> Higher cost<\/td> Limited routes<\/td> Expensive. Strict hazmat rules<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n Sample Costs (1 Motorcycle, LCL Sea Freight)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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\n\n\n\nWhat We Actually Do<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Route Selection<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Packing Arrangements<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Documentation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Pickup & Delivery<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nTemporary Import \u2014 Riding in Japan on Your Own Bike<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Using a Carnet<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Using International Ferries<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nCommon Concerns<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nNotes on the Destination Country<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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\n\n\n\nPricing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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