Shipping Overseas for Vacation

[jrhagen]

I would like to ship my Camaro to Japan for a vacation. There are a few Camaro Clubs there and I would like to meet them in my car.

Does anybody know how to start the process or what the rules are or if it can even be done for a short term trip?

I don't want to leave the car there permanently, so I hope I wouldn't have to go through the normal import and inspection process for registration in that country.

Does Japan allow temporary permission to operate a foreign vehicle in the country?

[F-16 Camaro]

For Japan, I doubt it.

But I don't have any information, just my opinion based on their import policies.

[Dfault]

I've never been to Japan, but I've never ran into a problem shipping a vehicle over. Just do some research before you do it and don't do anything stupid. Would hate to have your car impounded there because you didn't follow their laws and being that the car isn't registered there, they probably wouldn't take good care of it either...

So just do some research and you should be ok.

Don't be alarmed when you see the shipping costs either, you'll probably think twice after you see how much it's going to cost you to take you car there especially if you don't plan to stay there more than few months at a time...I just don't see the cost of it being worth it, i'd find a place that rents out Camaro's and rent one and then act like its yours? lol...

[tom231]

Originally Posted by Dfault

I've never been to Japan, but I've never ran into a problem shipping a vehicle over. Just do some research before you do it and don't do anything stupid. Would hate to have your car impounded there because you didn't follow their laws and being that the car isn't registered there, they probably wouldn't take good care of it either...

So just do some research and you should be ok.

Don't be alarmed when you see the shipping costs either, you'll probably think twice after you see how much it's going to cost you to take you car there especially if you don't plan to stay there more than few months at a time...I just don't see the cost of it being worth it, i'd find a place that rents out Camaro's and rent one and then act like its yours? lol...

If he's going to ship his car half way around the world for a vacation, I'm willing to bet that the cost really doesn't matter to him.

[jrhagen]

Originally Posted by tom231

If he's going to ship his car half way around the world for a vacation, I'm willing to bet that the cost really doesn't matter to him.

You would be correct. The 1st class ticket and hotel are free so i figured I would take my car with me.

[Dimitrim]

I just sold one of my Harleys XLCR, and shipped it to Japan six months ago. The bike is still sitting in customs in Japan. I used a Japanese shipping company.

[PalmerGA]

That's quite an outlandish thing to do but... it's your money and your car. Personally, I would never ship mine anywhere if I didn't have to. You will likely find scratches, dings, broken stuff, and missing stuff when you finally get to see it again. And it's also likely to be a several month process to get it shipped (over and back). It's apt to be a several month process to get it shipped (over and back).

I'm sure you can rent one over there if you just have to have a Camaro to battle all the little ricers, narrow streets, and midget parking spaces. Good luck!

[jrhagen]

Originally Posted by PalmerGA

That's quite an outlandish thing to do but... it's your money and your car. Personally, I would never ship mine anywhere if I didn't have to. You will likely find scratches, dings, broken stuff, and missing stuff when you finally get to see it again. And it's also likely to be a several month process to get it shipped (over and back). It's apt to be a several month process to get it shipped (over and back).

I'm sure you can rent one over there if you just have to have a Camaro to battle all the little ricers, narrow streets, and midget parking spaces. Good luck!

I realize it will take time to ship in there and back. I got nothing but time.

Additionally, you obviously missed the part about meeting up with guys there that have Camaro Clubs.

I lived there for 4 years and know about the roads and parking.

[Casperadub70]

I also lived there. Still cant see why you would want to do that. Also i saw a few camaros while there. Most 3rd and 4th gens. I think they had 3-5 V6 5th gens. Save your money

[joe h]

Probably too late, good chance you'll never get it out of customs until fall. If you really want to blow 6 grand, just lease a nice car while there, why risk having your car destroyed on its ridiculous trip?

[Jackass]

Like you have said , money it's not an issue
Just get it in a UPS/FEDEX Aircargo plane and there you have it

[ratfinkharley]

If money is no object, then go all in...

http://www.premium-rent.com/en/cartypes_ferrari.php

[PalmerGA]

Originally Posted by jrhagen

Additionally, you obviously missed the part about meeting up with guys there that have Camaro Clubs.

No... I caught. Still wouldn't be worth the aggravation and risk of damage, to me. But it's your car and your thing. Go for it and good luck!

[MCSarge]

You will have all kind of issues to do this. Just off the top of my head you will have to deal with customs, having the car inspected to be able to drive there, you will need a license to drive there, they don't have a status of forces agreement for licenses there even for the military. You still have to get their license to be able to drive on their streets. Last time I was there, there was only one place that inspected imported cars and they had about a month long backlog. And I didn't even mention the cost and aggravation of dealing with the Japanese Nationals and what happens if for some reason your Camaro gets "impounded" at customs, and your insurance issues.

As suggested you might want to leave it at home.