How to calculate freight charges while importing Japan Used Vehicle?

Japanese vehicles dominate the automobile industry by offering the most convenient and reliable vehicles at reasonable prices. Japanese used cars are ruling the market from quite a long period of time, with millions of cars being produced and exported within a year only. Large numbers of used vehicles from Japan are imported to many countries.

While importing a Japanese Used Vehicle, the foremost thing one should know is the freight charges. One should know the shipping charges to be paid along with the vehicle cost. Sometimes, shipment charges are too much in comparison with the vehicle or machinery one is buying.

To make it convenient for importers or buyers, most of the dealers provide their shipping rates applicable to different countries at their relevant sites itself. However, for confirmation and for negotiation they do ask the dealers again by sending emails with their requirement.

All these charges are basically based on M3 size known as cubic meter size of the vehicle. M3 size of the vehicle, affects the shipping cost as well. More the M3 size more will be the shipping cost. Most buyers prefer to import their required used vehicles in a bulk to minimize the shipping cost.

In order to calculate the shipping cost to their country, there are two main things one should know; M3 size of the vehicle & Rate of per M3 size.

Please check the M3 Sizes of different types of vehicles :-

Vehicle	M3 Size
Car	9.5 M3
Sedan	9.5 M3
Coupe	9.0 M3
Hatchback	10.0 M3
Trucks	33.0 M3
Wagons	13.0 M3
Pickup	15.0 M3
SUV	15.0 M3
MUV	15.0 M3

Some of the M3 sizes of different models :-

Vehicle Models	M3 Size
Toyota Corolla	9.5 M3
Toyota RAV4	17.0 M3
Toyota Land Cruiser Prado	17.0 M3
Toyota Starlet	9.0 M3
Mitsubishi Pajero	17.0 M3
Toyota Hiace	16.0 M3
Nissan Caravan	18.0 M3

Some of the Rates per M3 sizes for different shipping ports :-

Country / Port	Rates per M3 (In US$)
Ghana, Tema	268
Cameroon, Douala	250
Nigeria, Lagos	274
Uganda, Mombasa	100
Jamaica, Kingston	181
Trinidad & Tobago, Port of Spain	199
Russia, Vladivostok	650
Kenya, Mombassa	100
Tanzania, Dar-es-Salaam	100
South Africa, Durban	95
Malawi, Dar-es-Salaam	100
Sri Lanka, Colombo	72
UAE, Duabi	77
UAE, Abu Dhabi	74
UAE, Sharjah	77
Saudi Arabia, Dammam	71
Australia, Brisbane	132

The total amount can be figured with the following ways:-

FREIGHT = M3 OF VEHICLE X M3 RATE IN US$

For Example, if you want to find out FREIGHT for a sedan car, which is to be imported from Japan to Australia - Brisbane Port.

Size of Sedan Car = 9.5 M3
Freight Charges = US$ 268 Per M3
Calculation will be 9.5 x 268 = US$ 2546.00
Freight Charges of Sedan for Brisbane Port will be US$ 2546.00

Shipping rates of vehicles vary greatly and depend upon different factors. It is necessary to know the M3 size of the vehicle & Rate of per M3 size in order to calculate freight charges. So, if planning to import a Japan used vehicle, do know the freight charges involved as sometimes they affect much on buyer’s budget.