Yokohama, Japan Region

*DISCLAIMER*

 The VPC team for POV document processing is located in CONUS (Seattle WA, Continental United States), which is 18 hours behind Japan time.

I.E - 1:23 pm Pacific Coast Time today (Wednesday/02-07) would be 6:23 am on 02/08 (Thursday/02-08)   

Attention: These locations are by appointments only, walk ins are not permitted and will be turned away. Please scroll down to view necessary information. Any non-US Spec vehicle shipping to CONUS must be at least 25 years old prior to date of shipment with no modifications.

Download Japan Document Requirements

Turn-in

For shipments to CONUS and Protectorates; Non-US Spec vehicles must be at least 25 years old at time of shipment, and not be modified beyond the specs for the year, make and model of the vehicle. Start of the 25-year timeline begins the date of first registration, as indicated on the title. No other manufactured date will be accepted.

Prior to scheduling an appointment to turn in a POV you will need to submit the following documents and pictures to japan@ialpov.us. Please utilize DoDSafe when possible has it does have a higher data limit than email and doesn't have the PII security trigger like email. It will require the use of your military email. Email Japan@ialpov.us with the information, DoDSafe will send an invite. Please use JapanShip1! as the Passphrase.

ALL DOCUMENTS AND PICTURES MUST BE RECEIVED AND APPROVED BEFORE AN APPOINTMENT WILL BE SCHEDULED. WE WILL NOT PROCESS WITHOUT ALL REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION.

POV SHIPMENT INFORMATION AND AUTHORIZATION

POV turn-in at our local site must be completed within 90 days of approved document review. Please ensure that you do not process your POV until you meet that criteria. Air Force Members must validate POV entitlement to ship if POV turn-in date is 90 days or more after the report date on orders. No exceptions!!

1. RPM Pre-Shipping Instruction Form - This replaces the standard Pre-Shipping/Storage Instruction form for Japan locations only, and contains additional information necessary for pre-approval on your shipment. ALL REQUIRED FIELDS MUST BE COMPLETE OR IT WILL BE RETURNED, AND YOUR REQUEST DELAYED.

2. Shipper Acknowledgement Form - available as a download on the above locations. Storage Acknowledgement Form - only if long term storage is authorized for PCS to a restricted area. In this case a Storage Authorization Letter, obtained from your PPPO/DMO/TMO office is also required.

3. Complete set of PCS Orders to include ALL PAGES of originals and all amendments to show that you are entitled to ship a POV. Marine Corps DMO letters will be accepted as separation orders.

4. ONE FORM OF NON-MILITARY ID: Passport, State Issued ID, or other form of picture ID

PROOF OF VEHICLE OWNERSHIP AND ELIGIBILITY DOCUMENTATION

Beginning this year (2023), Japan is transitioning to an Electronic Vehicle Inspection Certificate. With this transition the title requirement will be fulfilled by submitting the following: 

1. Front and Back of the smaller Japanese document labeled Automobile Inspection Certificate

2. Larger form labeled Car Inspection Certificate Record Items. This will have the odometer readings, etc at the bottom.

If you have not yet renewed your certifications this year and still have only one of the previous title form, we will need the FRONT AND BACK of the title, regardless of which title form you have.

Paperwork must indicate that the service member or authorized dependent is the current owner.  If the dependent is not listed on the orders, a copy of the Marriage Certificate is required, as well as a letter of authorization from the vehicle owner, stating that the service member has permission to ship the vehicle.

IF THE VEHICLE IS A NEW PURCHASE, A BILL OF SALE MUST BE SUBMITTED WITH A COPY OF THE PREVIOUS TITLE, unless the vehicle has already been de-registered, and the Export Certificate obtained. 

An Export Certificate IS REQUIRED to ship the vehicle out of Japan. This can be done after the vehicle has been turned in, but all exporting vehicles must be de-registered, an Export Certificate obtained, and the original certificate submitted to the shipping agents. The vehicle cannot leave port without this document. Further information will be given at the turn in appointment or through your PPO/DMO/TMO office.

2. Vehicle Registration (Military/Base) If your base no longer issues paper registration forms, submit the tax receipt as proof of current ownership.

3. Lienholder letter authorizing shipment to your new PCS location, if POV is financed. The lienholder authorization MUST BE SIGNED by a bank representative.

4. We require only 6 photos of the vehicle as indicated: One clear FULL photo of the Left, Right, Front and Back of the vehicle plus the VIN/Serial# Plate and a photo of the WHOLE Engine Bay. Photos should show the complete side of the vehicle, as shown in the drawings below, not at an angle. Additional photos will be taken at time of turn-in.

Pictures of the Engine Bay should be taken by standing directly in front of the vehicle with the hood open and looking down at the whole engine.

The VIN/Serial# plates for Japanese vehicles are generally on the engine bay wall.

OTHER INFORMATION

• In the event that you will not be the individual dropping your car off for shipment, you must also submit a notarized Power of Attorney and complete the POA section on the RPM Pre- Shipping Instruction form. This section is for turn in only. Do not complete if you have not assigned a POA and have a POA document.
• WE DO NOT NEED RECALL INFORMATION ON FPOVs as it is not available. Recall information is required for all US Spec vehicles returning to the US from safercar.gov.
• PLEASE NOTE: The EPA/DOD stickers required for US Spec vehicles are NOT required for Japanese made vehicles over 25 years old.