What Fees Are Paid Before a Car Leaves Japan?

1. FOB, in Plain Language

Every car imported from Japan carries three layers of cost. Most quotes only show one. Understanding where each layer begins and ends is the difference between comparing accurately and comparing blind.

Most confusion happens when buyers receive a quote covering only one part but assume it covers all three. The rest of this article covers Part 1 fee by fee. There are seven fee sections (3 through 9), each with the confirmed M3LOGI rate.

2. The Journey a Car Takes Before It Ships

Between the auction and the ship, your car makes several stops. Each stop has a cost attached to it. Here is what actually happens.

Each section below is labelled to show who handles that process and fee. M3LOGI means we manage it directly and it appears as a line item on your M3LOGI quotation. Your exporter means your Japan-based broker or agent handles it.

3. Inland Transport (RIKUSO) M3LOGI

RIKUSO is what you pay to move your car from the auction to the export yard. The further the auction from the yard, the higher the fee. A car bought near Tokyo and collected to a Kanto yard costs around ¥7,500. The same car from a Kyushu auction costs ¥54,000 to the same yard. That ¥46,500 difference can completely change whether a seemingly cheap auction buy is actually good value. Always confirm the RIKUSO rate before committing to a purchase. 📄 RIKUSO Rate PDF available here(150+ auction rates included across all yard destinations)

We offer photograph and video of your vehicle the moment it reaches our yard. ¥1,000 per vehicle, on request at time of booking.

"Close the deal before your car docks. Professional yard photos give your buyer the confidence to commit while the car is still at sea."

Typical Timeline
Auction win to vessel loading: 2 to 4 weeks. Add 3 to 7 days for inspection-required destinations.

Note
Standard rates apply to normal passenger vehicles in running condition. Low-suspension, oversized, non-running, pre-1989, or high-value (over ¥5,000,000) vehicles are quoted separately.

4. De-registration Your exporter

Every car in Japan is registered for domestic use. Before export, that registration must be cancelled at the Land Transport Office (LTO). Your auction agent or broker handles this on your behalf. The government de-registration itself is free. Associated admin and form fees typically add up to ¥2,000 to ¥3,000, paid directly to your broker.

5. Export Documentation M3LOGI

M3LOGI prepares the export certificate and the full documentation package for the Bill of Lading. The export certificate is the legal proof that your vehicle is cleared to leave Japan. Without it, no vessel will load your car. M3LOGI's export documentation fee is ¥4,500.

6. Japanese Customs Clearance M3LOGI

M3LOGI handles export customs clearance on your behalf. A licensed broker files the export declaration electronically with Japan Customs, verifies the declared value, and checks the vehicle against restricted goods lists. Once approved, Japan Customs issues the export permit. Without it, your car cannot be loaded onto the vessel. Clearance fees for used vehicles are ¥15,900 plus applicable tax, and are separate from any inspection fees.

7. Shipping Method M3LOGI

Once the car is in the yard and customs-cleared, it needs to get onto the vessel. The method you choose determines the next three fees.

The drayage fee covers the container's round trip: M3LOGI collects an empty container from the port terminal, brings it to our yard for loading, then returns it loaded for export. Two legs, one cost. Every container-based exporter pays this.

8. Terminal Handling Charges (THC) M3LOGI

THC is the port terminal's charge for receiving, handling, and positioning your container before it is loaded onto the vessel. The shipping line sets this rate and bills it to M3LOGI, who passes it to you at exactly the same figure. No markup, no adjustment. It appears as a named line item on your M3LOGI quotation alongside BOF, documentation fee, and seal fee.

The rate varies by port and shipping line, which is why the range across Japan shipments runs from ¥8,000 to ¥52,000. Your confirmed quotation will always show the exact figure for your specific route.

9. Pre-Export Inspection M3LOGI

Many destination countries require a vehicle inspection in Japan before allowing the car to enter. This is a destination country requirement, not a Japanese one.

M3LOGI arranges these inspections through three certified agencies at our yards: QISJ, EAA, and ATJ. Each agency covers specific destinations and runs on fixed weekly schedules. If your country requires inspection, it must be completed and the certificate issued before loading.

To see which countries require inspection and the current rates, download our inspection schedule: 📄 Inspection Rate & Schedule PDF (QISJ, EAA and ATJ rates by destination country)

10. Real Cost Example: Land Cruiser, USS Tokyo to Mombasa

The same car, the same destination — but a different yard. Drayage is the cost of moving your container between the terminal and the yard. The further the terminal from the yard, the higher the drayage, and the higher the package total. That single variable explains most of the cost difference between these two scenarios.

Scenario A's yard-to-vessel package covers vanning, drayage, and customs in a single charge. Scenario B shows the same costs billed separately. Both routes ship on the same vessel to the same destination.

Disclaimer: Figures are indicative. RIKUSO rates from the M3LOGI Price List effective 2026/07/01. Package and yard charges confirmed at time of booking and may vary by vehicle type, weight, and applicable surcharges. Inspection rates are as of July 2026 and change monthly.

11. What to Ask Your Exporter Before You Commit

Use these questions with any exporter, including M3LOGI. If the answers aren't clear and specific, that's important information too. Click each question to see what a good answer looks like.