Overview: Japan to India corridor in 2026
Shipping a vehicle from Japan to Republic of India is one of the most active routes in the global RoRo market. Japanese export auctions (USS, TAA, JU) release tens of thousands of vehicles every week, and the Japan to India lane is supported by all major car-carrier operators including NYK, MOL, K-Line, Hoegh Autoliners, EUKOR and Wallenius Wilhelmsen. From the load ports of Yokohama, Nagoya cargo discharges at Mumbai (JNPT/Nhava Sheva), Chennai, Kolkata, with port-to-port transit running 20-30 days by Roll-on Roll-off and 25-38 days by container service. We coordinate every step in partnership with our group brand TheShipCars.co.uk, the licensed UK arm handling NOVA, customs and onward European delivery.
RoRo vs container on the Japan to India route
RoRo is the default method for driveable JDM cars on this corridor โ it is the cheapest per unit and the fastest to load and discharge, with weekly or bi-weekly sailings. Sole-use 20ft container is preferred for higher-value JDM stock (Skyline GT-R, NSX, Supra), modified vehicles, non-driveable cars, and shipments where parts or personal effects are loaded inside the vehicle. Shared (consolidated) container sits between the two โ two vehicles share a 40ft container at roughly $1,400 USD per vehicle on this lane, offering container protection at near-RoRo pricing. Read our pillar comparison RoRo vs Container Shipping for a deeper breakdown of the trade-offs.
Cost of shipping a car from Japan to India (2026 indicative)
For a standard saloon or hatchback collected from a Japanese auction and delivered to a India port, indicative 2026 freight-only prices are:
- RoRo: from $1,200 USD per vehicle
- Shared container (ยฝ ร 40ft): from $1,400 USD per vehicle
- Sole-use 20ft container: from $2,000 USD
These are freight + bunker + terminal handling at origin. They do not include destination duty, VAT/GST, port charges, customs broker fees, or inland delivery in India. For a fully landed quote use our Cost Calculator or request a fixed Japan-to-door quote via the form above.
Transit time and sailing schedule
Port-to-port transit on the Japan to India corridor runs 20-30 days for RoRo and 25-38 days for container services. On top of port-to-port transit you should allow 7-14 days for auction purchase, inland trucking to the load port, JEVIC/QISJ inspection where required, and 3-10 working days for customs clearance in India. Sailings load from Yokohama, Nagoya on a rotating weekly cycle โ check the live RoRo Schedule page for upcoming vessel dates.
Import duty and taxes in India
CBIC (Indian Customs) + DGFT applies the following charge structure on vehicles imported from Japan:
- Customs duty: Up to 125% on CIF for used cars; new cars 70-100% depending on engine/value
- VAT / consumption tax: 28% GST + compensation cess
- Age / eligibility rule: Used cars under 3 years; LHD typically (RHD permitted but rare); must be imported through Mumbai only for used vehicles
- Steering wheel rule: RHD preferred; LHD also permitted in restricted classes
- Inspection regime: DGFT licence + ARAI homologation + Customs valuation
Duty in India is calculated on the CIF value (cost + insurance + freight), so understating the invoice to save duty is both illegal and counter-productive โ assessors use auction sheets and reference databases. Used car imports must land at Mumbai port only โ chargeable inland haulage from there.For a full cross-country comparison see our Vehicle Import Duties Guide.
Customs clearance in India
Customs clearance in India follows a predictable sequence: arrival notice โ manifest filing โ duty assessment by CBIC (Indian Customs) + DGFT โ payment โ release order โ port gate-out. A licensed customs broker handles the entry on your behalf; we work with established brokers at Mumbai (JNPT/Nhava Sheva) and can introduce you on request. Allow 3-10 working days from vessel discharge to released vehicle, longer if india-specific inspections (e.g. dgft licence + arai homologation + customs valuation) are required.
Required import documents
- DGFT import licence
- Export Certificate
- Bill of Lading
- ARAI Type Approval or equivalent
- Invoice
The single most common cause of clearance delay on the Japan to India lane is a missing or untranslated Japanese Export Certificate (the deregistration document, ๆนๆถ็ป้ฒ่จผๆๆธ). We arrange certified English translation as standard. For our full export checklist see the Documents Required to Export a Car guide.
Shipping ports โ Japan to India
Japan load ports: Yokohama, Nagoya. Yokohama is the primary RoRo gateway with the highest sailing frequency; Nagoya handles overflow and Toyota-region collections; Kobe serves western Japan and connects efficiently to Osaka auctions.
India discharge ports: Mumbai (JNPT/Nhava Sheva), Chennai, Kolkata. Mumbai (JNPT/Nhava Sheva) is the primary discharge hub on this lane with the deepest broker network, fastest clearance windows, and the most competitive port handling charges.
Vehicle import process โ Japan to India step by step
- Source the vehicle through a Japanese auction agent (USS, TAA, JU) or used-car exporter.
- Confirm eligibility against India's rules: used cars under 3 years; lhd typically (rhd permitted but rare); must be imported through mumbai only for used vehicles, steering (rhd preferred; lhd also permitted in restricted classes).
- Pre-shipment inspection if required (DGFT licence + ARAI homologation + Customs valuation).
- Inland haulage to Yokohama and storage pending vessel cut-off.
- Loading and Bill of Lading issuance โ RoRo or container loaded at terminal.
- Ocean transit โ 20-30 days RoRo / 25-38 days container.
- Arrival notice and customs entry filed with CBIC (Indian Customs) + DGFT.
- Duty and tax payment on CIF value.
- Release and inland delivery to your address in India.
- Registration โ final compliance, plates issued.
Most popular JDM models on the Japan to India route
Based on auction throughput and our own bookings, the highest-volume Japanese vehicles on this corridor in 2026 are:
- Toyota Land Cruiser
- Lexus LX
- Vintage classics (40+ years, eased route)
For corridor-specific buying advice, see our Japan Auction Buying Guide and our pillar on International Car Shipping Costs.
Why ship Japan to India with us
We are a UK-licensed international vehicle exporter with direct space allocation on every major RoRo line serving the Japan to India lane. We hold our own NVOCC arrangements, issue our own house bills of lading, and consolidate cargo through our group brand TheShipCars.co.uk (our official partner network) to deliver published-rate freight without third-party mark-up. Customers reach our operations team 24/7 on +44 (0)1495 320540, by email at info@shipcarsroro.co.uk, or for fastest response at quotes@theshipcars.co.uk.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to ship a car from Japan to India?
RoRo from approximately $1,200 USD, container from $2,000 USD per vehicle freight-only.
How long does the journey take?
20-30 days port-to-port by RoRo, 25-38 days by container, plus 1-2 weeks for customs and inland.
Is RHD permitted in India?
RHD preferred; LHD also permitted in restricted classes.
What is the age limit?
Used cars under 3 years; LHD typically (RHD permitted but rare); must be imported through Mumbai only for used vehicles.
Which Japan port should I ship from to India?
Most cargo loads at Yokohama; alternatives include Nagoya for regional auction collections.
Which India port receives most Japanese vehicle imports?
Mumbai (JNPT/Nhava Sheva) is the primary discharge hub with the deepest broker network and fastest release windows.
What documents are required to import a car from Japan to India?
CBIC (Indian Customs) + DGFT requires: DGFT import licence; Export Certificate; Bill of Lading; ARAI Type Approval or equivalent; Invoice.
Is RoRo or container shipping better for Japan to India?
RoRo is cheapest for standard cars; sole-use container suits high-value or modified JDM stock; shared container is the middle option offering container protection at near-RoRo cost.