When you want to import a Japanese car to your country, usually the best options are either the RoRo service or container shipping. Both of them are a solid approach, but as always, there will be pros and cons to each one. Let’s see what you need to know about RoRo and container shipping when buying a car from Japan.

Container shipping

Normally, container shipping is the ideal option for those who want a secure way of shipping a car from Japan. Thanks to its almost worldwide coverage, container shipping has fewer limitations, and it’s particularly useful if you want to go for a luxury vehicle.

 The upside here is that you have your car sent in a container, it’s secured with straps, ratchets, and other features. It won’t move thanks to those elements and the timber being nailed to the floor. With that in mind, container shipping is highly regulated, which further adds to the security of this service.

Pros

·      It’s a very secure shipping method

·      Your car is protected against theft, weather, and handling damage

·      Since most countries support it, you can get your car shipped anywhere

·      Great for most types of vehicles

Cons

·       It can be more expensive than RoRo shipping

·       Loading and unloading is a time-consuming process

·       It’s a multi-step, long process

RoRo shipping

What everyone needs to know about RoRo shipping is that it’s meant to be used for heavy machinery and larger vehicles. It’s less expensive when compared to container shipping, but also less safe, which is something we all have to take into account. They will drive or tow the car onto the ship, and the vessel they are transported on is basically a parking lot full of cars.

That also means the cars are exposed to the elements. So while it is a cheaper way to transport cars and ship them from Japan, that also means they get exposed to the elements. There are also port delivery, port fees, and so on.

Pros

·      It’s inexpensive when compared to container shipping

·      Fast loading and unloading

·      There’s no need for special packaging or disassembly

·      You have fewer risks of damage

Cons

·      You’re limited to using only cargo that rolls off the vessel

·      Due to the shipping method, it has limited coverage

·      There are fewer departure ports/routes

·      The cars are exposed to the elements

What shipping method should you choose?

It always depends on what type of vehicle you want to transport. RoRo is great for shipping heavy equipment, cars, or trucks, and you’re limited on funds. Container shipping is slower, more expensive, but also a lot safer, and with better global coverage.

At the end of the day, both solutions are great, but it comes down to the type of car you want to ship and the money you have available. Both of these can help you get a Japanese car to your home, but they differ when it comes to pricing, safety, and other similar things. Use these ideas to your advantage, and you won’t have a problem picking the right option to fit your needs.