Ocean Shipment

Ocean Freight

Overview: Ocean freight is the most common and cost-effective method for shipping JDM cars from Japan to the USA, especially for larger or heavier vehicles. It’s ideal for importers looking to minimize costs, though it takes longer than air freight.

Key Details:

• Transit Time:
  • West Coast USA (e.g., Los Angeles, Tacoma): 15–22 days.
  • East Coast USA (e.g., New York, Miami): 25–30 days.
  • Delays may occur due to port congestion, customs processing, or weather conditions
• Cost:
  • Significantly cheaper than air freight, especially for bulky items like cars. Costs depend on container type:
    • Full Container Load (FCL): Suitable for one or multiple cars filling a 20’ or 40’ container. Flat-rate pricing makes it cost-effective for larger shipments.
    • Less than Container Load (LCL): Used for smaller shipments sharing container space, but less common for cars due to size. LCL may take slightly longer due to consolidation/deconsolidation.
  • Estimated costs for a 20’ FCL container from Japan to the USA range from $2,000–$5,000, with potential increases of $1,000–$2,000 per TEU during peak seasons (e.g., holidays).
  • Additional costs include port fees, customs duties (2.5% for cars, 25% for trucks), and inland transport.
• Key Ports in Japan: Tokyo, Yokohama, Nagoya, Osaka, Kobe. These ports are major hubs with Ro-Ro (Roll-on/Roll-off) terminals for vehicles.
• Key USA Ports: Los Angeles, Tacoma, Oakland, Seattle (West Coast); New York, Miami (East Coast).
• Advantages:
  • Cost-effective for vehicles and large shipments.
  • High capacity for cars using Ro-Ro or container shipping.
  • Environmentally friendlier (773 kg CO₂e per TEU) compared to air freight.
• Disadvantages:
  • Longer transit times (15–30 days).
  • Susceptible to delays from weather, port congestion, or customs.
  • Risk of minor damage during transit (e.g., scratches, exposure to sea conditions).

Sample Container Shipping Costs (2025 Estimates)Based on web data, here are approximate FCL costs from Yokohama to U.S. ports (subject to change; contact forwarders for real-time quotes):

• 20ft Container:
  • Los Angeles: $1,350–$2,030.
  • Houston: $2,000–$3,500.
  • New York: $2,500–$4,000.
• 40ft Container:
  • Los Angeles: $850–$4,500 (varies by carrier and demand).
  • Houston: $1,500–$5,000.
  • New York: $2,000–$5,500.