You have bought a car from Japan and now you need to get it to Ireland. You have two choices: RoRo or Container.

Both work and can get your car to Dublin Port but they are very different in cost, protection, and flexibility.

Pick the wrong one, and you could pay too much or put your car at risk. At Nobuko Japan, we have shipped over 500 cars to UK and Irish buyers.it helps to understand the complete import process. Our step-by-step guide to importing a car from Japan to Ireland shows exactly where shipping fits into the full journey from auction win to Irish road. We know exactly when to use RoRo and when to recommend a container. This guide compares both methods side by side. No bias, just facts to help you decide.

What Is RoRo Shipping?

RoRo stands for Roll-on / Roll-off.

Your car drives onto the ship at Yokohama or Nagoya port. It is secured on a car deck with other vehicles. At Dublin Port, a driver starts it and drives it off.

How it works:

Car drives onto a ramp directly into the ship

Parked on multi-level decks with hundreds of other cars

Strapped down to prevent movement

Driven off at destination

Time: 6–8 weeks from Japan to Dublin Port.

Cost: €800 – €1,500.

Best for: Standard cars, budget-conscious buyers, operable vehicles.

What Is Container Shipping?

Container shipping places your car inside a sealed steel shipping container. The container is lifted onto a cargo ship by crane. Your car is completely enclosed for the entire journey.

How it works:

Car is driven into a 20ft or 40ft container

Secured with straps and wheel chocks

Container is sealed and lifted onto ship

Opened only at destination

Time: Similar to RoRo – 6–8 weeks.

Cost: €1,500 – €3,000.

Best for: Luxury cars, classic cars, high-value vehicles, multiple cars, shipping personal items.

Side-by-Side Comparison Table

RoRo Shipping - The Pros and Cons

Advantages of RoRo

1. Cheaper

RoRo is the most budget-friendly way to ship a car from Japan to Ireland. You save €700–€1,500 compared to container shipping.

2. Faster port handling

Cars are driven on and off quickly. No waiting for cranes or container loading.

3. Frequent sailings

RoRo vessels run regular schedules from Yokohama to Dublin. More options= less waiting.

4. Perfect for standard cars

For daily drivers like Toyota Vitz, Honda Fit, or Suzuki Swift, RoRo protection is perfectly adequate.These models are also among the best value Japanese cars for Irish buyers. See our budget Japanese cars to import to Ireland guide for full landed cost breakdowns on all three.

Disadvantages of RoRo

1. No personal items

Shipping lines strictly forbid household goods, tools, or spare parts inside the car.

2. Car must be operational

The car must start, steer, and brake under its own power. Non-running cars cannot use RoRo.

3. Moderate protection

Cars are parked close together. There is a small risk of damage from other vehicles or careless handling.

4. Exposure during loading

While inside the ship, cars are protected from weather. However, during loading and unloading (1–2 hours), they are exposed to port conditions.

Nobuko Japan verdict on RoRo: For 90% of our Irish buyers shipping standard family cars or budget imports, RoRo is the right choice. It is cheap, fast, and perfectly safe.

Container Shipping – The Pros and Cons

Advantages of Container Shipping

1. Maximum protection

Your car is inside a sealed steel box. No weather, no salt air and absolutely no contact with other vehicles.

2. Higher security

Containers are sealed and monitored. Also, even the theft risk is near zero.

3. Personal items allowed

You can fill the car and container with household goods, tools, or spare parts. This is a major advantage if you are moving house.

4. Non-running cars accepted

If your car does not start or has low ground clearance, container shipping is your only option.

5. Multiple cars

A 40ft container can hold up to 4 small cars (with racking systems). Cheaper per car for multiple vehicles.If you are sourcing multiple cars from Japan, our guide to the best place to buy Japanese cars for export to Ireland covers USS, TAA, and JU Net auction access in detail.

Disadvantages of Container Shipping

1. More expensive

You pay €1,500–€3,000, which is roughly double the cost of RoRo.

2. Slightly slower

Containers wait for consolidation (filling the box). This can add 1–2 weeks to total time.

3. More paperwork

Container shipping requires additional documentation compared to RoRo.

4. Overkill for standard cars

Paying for a container to ship a €5,000 Toyota Vitz does not make financial sense.

Nobuko Japan verdict on Container: Choose container for cars worth over €15,000, classic cars, or when shipping personal items. Otherwise, save your money.

Experience Section

Real Example: Two Irish Buyers Different Cars, Different Methods

Customer A (RoRo – Standard Car)

A Nobuko Japan customer from Dublin imported a 2012 Toyota Vitz (€3,500 auction price). He chose RoRo shipping. Total shipping cost: €1,000.

The car arrived at Dublin Port in 7 weeks. No damage and no issues at all. He drove it away after VRT and registration.

His cost breakdown:

RoRo shipping: €1,000

Total landed including VRT: €5,100

Irish dealer alternative: €7,500

His verdict: "RoRo was cheap and easy. I saved €2,500 compared to buying locally. Why would I pay double for a container?"

Customer B (Container – Luxury Car)

Another customer imported a 2018 Toyota Alphard (€14,000 auction price). He chose container shipping. Total shipping cost: €2,200.

The car arrived in 8 weeks in immaculate condition. He also shipped €500 worth of Japanese car parts inside the container. For a full landed cost breakdown on luxury imports like the Toyota Alphard, see our 2026 Japan to Ireland import cost guide which covers shipping, duty, VAT, and VRT in one place.

His cost breakdown:

Container shipping: €2,200

Total landed including VRT: €18,500

Irish dealer alternative: €28,000+

His verdict: "For a €14,000 car, paying €2,200 for a container was worth it for peace of mind. Plus, I got free shipping on my parts."

The lesson: For a €3,500 Vitz, RoRo is perfect. For a €14,000 Alphard, container makes sense. Match the method to the car value.

Cost Comparison – Real Numbers

Let us compare the same car using both methods.

Car: 2015 Honda Fit. Auction price: €2,000.

Conclusion: Container costs €1,230 more for the same car. That is money you could spend on insurance, tax, or fuel for two years.

Nobuko Japan advice: If your car is worth under €10,000, RoRo is almost always the better financial decision.

When to Choose RoRo (Most Buyers)

Choose RoRo shipping if:

Your car is a standard daily driver (Toyota Vitz, Honda Fit, Suzuki Swift, Nissan Note)

Your car is worth under €10,000

You are not shipping personal items

Your car starts and drives normally

You want the lowest possible cost

You are a first-time importer (simpler process)

Nobuko Japan recommendation: RoRo for 90% of Irish buyers. It is cheaper, faster, and perfectly adequate for most cars.

When to Choose Container

Choose container shipping if:

• Your car is worth over €15,000 (luxury, classic, exotic)
• You are shipping personal items or parts with the car
• Your car is non-running or has very low ground clearance
• You are shipping multiple cars (cost per car drops)
• You want maximum peace of mind

Nobuko Japan recommendation: Container for high-value cars only. Do not pay double for a container you do not need.

Summary - Which Is Better for Irish Buyers?

Conclusion

RoRo vs container shipping from Japan to Ireland comes down to one question: What is your car worth?

For standard cars under €10,000 (Toyota Vitz, Honda Fit, Suzuki Swift, Nissan Note), RoRo is the smart choice. It costs €800–€1,500, takes 6–8 weeks, and provides adequate protection. You save €1,000–€2,000 compared to container shipping.

For luxury cars over €15,000 (Toyota Alphard, Nissan Elgrand), classics, or when shipping personal items, container shipping is worth the extra cost. You get maximum protection, security, and flexibility.

Nobuko Japan offers both shipping methods. We help Irish buyers choose the right one based on their car, budget, and needs. No upsells, just honest advice.