💰 Current Freight Rates
Price data updating. Contact us for current rates.
Trade Terms Explained — Who Pays for What
The rate above is quoted on one specific trade term. Change the term and you change how much of the journey to Japan is already inside the price. The table below maps the eleven common Incoterms® against the twelve cost stages of a door-to-door shipment, so you can see exactly where our responsibility ends and yours begins.
- Seller — Cost and arrangement sit with the seller / shipper.
- Buyer — Cost and arrangement sit with the buyer / consignee.
- Negotiable — Not fixed by the rule — agree it in the contract.
| Term | 1 Loading on truck | 2 Export customs declaration | 3 Carriage to port of export | 4 Unloading at port of export | 5 Loading on vessel / aircraft | 6 Main carriage | 7 Cargo insurance | 8 Unloading at port of import | 9 Loading on truck at import | 10 Carriage to destination | 11 Import customs clearance | 12 Import duties & taxes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EXW Ex Works | Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck | Buyer Buyer — Export customs declaration | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to port of export | Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of export | Buyer Buyer — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Buyer Buyer — Main carriage | Buyer Buyer — Cargo insurance | Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of import | Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck at import | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| FCA Free Carrier | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to port of export | Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of export | Buyer Buyer — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Buyer Buyer — Main carriage | Buyer Buyer — Cargo insurance | Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of import | Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck at import | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| FAS Free Alongside Ship | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Buyer Buyer — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Buyer Buyer — Main carriage | Buyer Buyer — Cargo insurance | Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of import | Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck at import | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| FOB Free On Board | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Buyer Buyer — Main carriage | Buyer Buyer — Cargo insurance | Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of import | Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck at import | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| CFR Cost and Freight | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Seller Seller — Main carriage | Buyer Buyer — Cargo insurance | Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of import | Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck at import | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| CIF Cost, Insurance and Freight | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Seller Seller — Main carriage | Seller Seller — Cargo insurance | Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of import | Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck at import | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| CPT Carriage Paid To | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Seller Seller — Main carriage | Negotiable Negotiable — Cargo insurance | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of import | Seller Seller — Loading on truck at import | Seller Seller — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| CIP Carriage and Insurance Paid | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Seller Seller — Main carriage | Seller Seller — Cargo insurance | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of import | Seller Seller — Loading on truck at import | Seller Seller — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| DAT Delivered At Terminal (DPU) | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Seller Seller — Main carriage | Negotiable Negotiable — Cargo insurance | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of import | Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck at import | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| DAP Delivered At Place | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Seller Seller — Main carriage | Negotiable Negotiable — Cargo insurance | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of import | Seller Seller — Loading on truck at import | Seller Seller — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| DDP Delivered Duty Paid | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Seller Seller — Main carriage | Negotiable Negotiable — Cargo insurance | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of import | Seller Seller — Loading on truck at import | Seller Seller — Carriage to destination | Seller Seller — Import customs clearance | Seller Seller — Import duties & taxes |
EXW Ex Works
Buyer takes over at the seller's door and carries every cost from there. Lowest quoted price, highest buyer workload.
FCA Free Carrier
Seller clears the goods for export and hands them to the carrier the buyer nominated.
FAS Free Alongside Ship
Sea and inland waterway only. Seller delivers alongside the vessel; loading is on the buyer.
FOB Free On Board
Sea and inland waterway only. Risk passes once the goods are on board. The most common buying term.
CFR Cost and Freight
Seller pays the main carriage but carries no insurance obligation; risk still passes on loading.
CIF Cost, Insurance and Freight
As CFR, plus the seller must buy and pay for cargo insurance (minimum cover unless you agree more).
CPT Carriage Paid To
Any mode. Seller pays carriage through to the named destination; insurance is not obligatory.
CIP Carriage and Insurance Paid
As CPT, plus the seller must insure the cargo through to the named destination.
DAT Delivered At Terminal (DPU)
Seller delivers unloaded at the named terminal. Renamed DPU (Delivered at Place Unloaded) in Incoterms® 2020.
DAP Delivered At Place
Seller delivers to your address ready for unloading; import clearance and duty stay with the buyer.
DDP Delivered Duty Paid
Seller carries everything through to your door, duty and tax included. Highest quoted price, least buyer workload.
Two things worth flagging. Under CIF and CIP the seller is obliged to buy cargo insurance and pay the premium; under every other term insurance is optional, and we recommend buyers arrange their own cover so a loss or damage in transit is recoverable. And this table is a working summary for planning purposes — the binding definitions are the ones published by the International Chamber of Commerce in the Incoterms® rules, so confirm the exact term wording in your sales contract before you ship.
📋 Service Details
What to expect on the China–Japan Air Freight lane
We move door-to-door air freight from South China into Japan. Cargo enters through NRT (Narita), HND (Haneda), KIX (Osaka Kansai) and clears with Japan Customs (税関), which takes 1–3 days on average.
Japan is a fast, high-compliance lane: Shanghai and Qingdao to Tokyo or Osaka is 3–6 days by sea and often next-day by air. Clearance itself is quick, but the standards regime is unforgiving — PSE and Giteki marking must be correct before the goods ship, because there is no way to remediate at the border.
Route facts
| Destination country | Japan |
|---|---|
| Region | Asia Pacific |
| Mode | Air Freight |
| Gateways used | NRT (Narita), HND (Haneda), KIX (Osaka Kansai) |
| Transit, China to gateway | 1–3 business days |
| Clearance / dwell | 1–3 days |
| Peak season | Sep–Nov |
Delivery cities on this lane
Each city below has its own guide covering the gateway that serves it, the inland leg after clearance and the local delivery requirements.
- China to Tokyo — the largest consumer and distribution market in Japan. Via NRT/HND air / Tokyo sea; inland leg same day. Air Freight guide →
- China to Yokohama — major port city adjoining Tokyo. Via NRT air / Yokohama sea; inland leg same day. Air Freight guide →
- China to Osaka — western Japan's commercial centre. Via KIX air / Osaka sea; inland leg same day. Air Freight guide →
- China to Nagoya — automotive manufacturing heartland. Via NGO air / Nagoya sea; inland leg same day. Air Freight guide →
- China to Kobe — historic port serving the Kansai industrial belt. Via KIX air / Kobe sea; inland leg same day. Air Freight guide →
- China to Fukuoka — Kyushu gateway and the closest major city to China. Via FUK air / Hakata sea; inland leg same day. Air Freight guide →
- China to Sapporo — Hokkaido's commercial centre. Via CTS air / Tomakomai sea; inland leg +2 days. Air Freight guide →
- China to Sendai — Tohoku regional hub. Via SDJ air / Sendai sea; inland leg +1 day. Air Freight guide →
- China to Hiroshima — Chugoku manufacturing and machinery centre. Via HIJ air / Hiroshima sea; inland leg +1 day. Air Freight guide →
- China to Kawasaki — heavy industry and logistics corridor. Via HND air / Tokyo sea; inland leg same day. Air Freight guide →
- China to Saitama — northern Tokyo metropolitan distribution belt. Via NRT air / Tokyo sea; inland leg same day. Air Freight guide →
- China to Chiba — industrial and petrochemical zone east of Tokyo. Via NRT air / Chiba sea; inland leg same day. Air Freight guide →
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ℹ️ Additional Information
What Japan Customs (税関) will ask for
Consumption tax 10%; duty 0–15% on most manufactured goods, higher on leather, footwear and food. The de-minimis position is JPY 10,000 customs value (some categories excluded).
Conformity: PSE mark for electrical appliances; Giteki/MIC certification for radio devices; Food Sanitation Act notification for food-contact items.
Known friction points: Electrical products without a valid PSE mark cannot be imported. Radio devices need Giteki certification. Amazon FBA Japan requires an Importer of Record that is not Amazon, so confirm who the IOR will be before booking a DDP move.
Documents we file under duty-paid
- Commercial invoice showing HS codes and the true transaction value
- Packing list with carton count, gross and net weight, and dimensions
- Air waybill
- Certificate of origin where it reduces the duty rate
- Product certification or conformity documents where the commodity requires them
Packing notes
- Chargeable weight is the greater of actual gross weight and volumetric weight (L×W×H ÷ 6000)
- Use ISPM-15 treated wood for any pallet or crate — untreated timber is a common hold
- Mark every carton with the consignee name, city and carton number of total
- Declare lithium batteries, magnets, liquids and powders before booking, not after
Other modes into Japan
Duty rates, thresholds and conformity rules change by ministerial decision. The figures here are buyer-planning references, not a customs ruling — confirm the current position for your HS code with Japan Customs (税関) or your broker before shipping.
📊 China to Japan — Shipping Reference Data
| Main air gateways | NRT (Narita), HND (Haneda), KIX (Osaka Kansai) |
|---|---|
| Destination customs authority | Japan Customs (税関) |
| De-minimis / duty-free threshold | JPY 10,000 customs value (some categories excluded) |
| Import tax & duty regime | Consumption tax 10%; duty 0–15% on most manufactured goods, higher on leather, footwear and food |
| Local currency | JPY |
| Typical clearance / dwell time | 1–3 days |
| Peak / busy season | Sep–Nov |
| Conformity & certification | PSE mark for electrical appliances; Giteki/MIC certification for radio devices; Food Sanitation Act notification for food-contact items |
Thresholds and duty bands are buyer-planning references, not formal customs rulings — confirm the exact HS-code rate for your goods before shipping.
🧰 Free 3D Loading Tools for This Air Route
This page covers a Air freight service from China to Japan. Use the matching tool below to plan your cargo before requesting a quote.
3D Carton Packing Calculator
Air freight to Japan is billed on chargeable weight, so tight carton packing directly lowers your cost per shipment. Enter your product size and see the optimal carton layout in 3D before you book.
Open Packing Tool →✅ Japan Air Freight Checklist
- Book 2-3 days before your target ETD; same-day air bookings usually carry premium rates.
- Lithium batteries and liquids need pre-approval on most air routes — declare them upfront.
- Shrink-wrap and corner-protect cartons — air cargo is transloaded multiple times.
- Confirm whether the Japan rate includes fuel and security surcharges or lists them separately.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How long does Air DDP Door-to-Door from China to Japan take?
Air freight on this route runs about 5–10 business days door-to-door, plus roughly 1–3 days of clearance/dwell once it reaches the gateway. All times include customs clearance under DDP terms.
What duties and taxes apply when importing into Japan?
Clearance is handled by Japan Customs (税関). The regime is: Consumption tax 10%; duty 0–15% on most manufactured goods, higher on leather, footwear and food, with a de-minimis position of JPY 10,000 customs value (some categories excluded). Under DDP these are pre-paid, so nothing is collected on arrival.
Can you ship special cargo (batteries, branded goods) to Japan?
Yes — battery cargo by air follows IATA PI966/PI967; we run certified battery channels via NRT (Narita), HND (Haneda), KIX (Osaka Kansai). Brand-goods and DG paperwork are handled within the DDP service. Surcharges apply.
How is the shipping cost on this route calculated?
We compare actual gross weight against volumetric weight (L×W×H ÷ 6000) and charge the greater, rounded up to the next kilogram, then apply the per-KG rate shown in the table above.
What certification is needed to import into Japan?
For regulated goods, plan for: PSE mark for electrical appliances; Giteki/MIC certification for radio devices; Food Sanitation Act notification for food-contact items. Missing conformity paperwork is the most common clearance hold with Japan Customs (税関), so confirm requirements for your HS code before shipping.
What documents are required for customs clearance in Japan?
Japan Customs (税関) typically requires a commercial invoice with HS codes, a packing list, the bill of lading/air waybill, a certificate of origin (may lower duty), and any product certification (PSE mark for electrical appliances; Giteki/MIC certification for radio devices; Food Sanitation Act notification for food-contact items). We file these under DDP.
⭐ Customer Reviews
What customers say about shipping to Japan with us.
🇯🇵 Japan
This was a DDP shipment to Japan for mixed cartons. Packaging quality was consistent across cartons. The booking process was straightforward and the team confirmed documents early. A practical option when we need predictable landed cost.
We tested this lane to Japan with a mid-volume order. Packaging quality was consistent across cartons. Pickup from the supplier was arranged quickly and customs stayed under control. A practical option when we need predictable landed cost.
This was a DDP shipment to Japan for mixed cartons. The shipment timeline was communicated clearly. Pickup from the supplier was arranged quickly and customs stayed under control. A practical option when we need predictable landed cost.
We used this route for a regular replenishment to Japan. The shipment timeline was communicated clearly. The booking process was straightforward and the team confirmed documents early. Overall a reliable experience for repeat imports. 対応が丁寧で、到着後の追加費用もありませんでした。
We used this route for a regular replenishment to Japan. The shipment timeline was communicated clearly. Cartons arrived clean and labels were still readable on delivery. A practical option when we need predictable landed cost.
This was a DDP shipment to Japan for mixed cartons. Packaging quality was consistent across cartons. Tracking updates were not excessive, but they came when something important changed. Would use the same line again for general cargo.
This was a DDP shipment to Japan for mixed cartons. Packaging quality was consistent across cartons. The landed price stayed aligned with the quote, which helped our budgeting. Would use the same line again for general cargo.
We tested this lane to Japan with a mid-volume order. Packaging quality was consistent across cartons. Transit was close to the estimate and the destination delivery appointment was handled well. Better coordination than the forwarder we used before. 進捗連絡が分かりやすく、安心して任せられました。
We tested this lane to Japan with a mid-volume order. Packaging quality was consistent across cartons. Tracking updates were not excessive, but they came when something important changed. Better coordination than the forwarder we used before.
Booked another door-to-door shipment to Japan through this team. The shipment timeline was communicated clearly. Tracking updates were not excessive, but they came when something important changed. Overall a reliable experience for repeat imports.
We tested this lane to Japan with a mid-volume order. The shipment timeline was communicated clearly. Tracking updates were not excessive, but they came when something important changed. Overall a reliable experience for repeat imports.
Booked another door-to-door shipment to Japan through this team. Packaging quality was consistent across cartons. The landed price stayed aligned with the quote, which helped our budgeting. Would use the same line again for general cargo.
Quick turnaround and great packaging. My goods arrived in perfect condition and ahead of the estimated delivery date.
Good service overall. The freight cost was competitive and the clearance process was handled well.
Very reliable for importing electronics. The declared value process was handled professionally and duties were prepaid.
Delivery was a few days behind schedule but goods arrived in perfect condition. The DDP coverage was genuinely all-inclusive.
The price was competitive. Had a slight issue with customs documentation but it was resolved without extra cost.
Great tracking visibility throughout the shipment. The team answered questions promptly via WhatsApp.
Solid option for sea freight. Communication could be slightly faster but no major issues.
Inland Delivery Coverage — Japan
We deliver beyond the arrival gateway. Each city below has its own destination guide covering the gateway it clears through, typical inland transit time and the local customs picture.
Note — these are reference guides, not quotes. The city pages describe routing, gateways and clearance for each destination. They do not carry rate tables. For pricing to any city listed here, use the rate table on this page or ask us for a quote.
- Tokyo NRT/HND air / Tokyo sea inland same day Guide only — no rates
- Yokohama NRT air / Yokohama sea inland same day Guide only — no rates
- Osaka KIX air / Osaka sea inland same day Guide only — no rates
- Nagoya NGO air / Nagoya sea inland same day Guide only — no rates
- Kobe KIX air / Kobe sea inland same day Guide only — no rates
- Fukuoka FUK air / Hakata sea inland same day Guide only — no rates
- Sapporo CTS air / Tomakomai sea inland +2 days Guide only — no rates
- Sendai SDJ air / Sendai sea inland +1 day Guide only — no rates
- Hiroshima HIJ air / Hiroshima sea inland +1 day Guide only — no rates
- Kawasaki HND air / Tokyo sea inland same day Guide only — no rates
- Saitama NRT air / Tokyo sea inland same day Guide only — no rates
- Chiba NRT air / Chiba sea inland same day Guide only — no rates
Shipping Japan cargo by industry
This rate is for the lane. What decides whether the cargo arrives intact is the commodity — how it prices, how it must be packed and loaded, and which compliance step holds it at the border. These guides cover that per industry.
- Artificial Flowers Consumer Goods & Gifts
- Retail Products E-commerce & Retail Channels
- Sheet Metal Metal Products & Industrial Components
- Storage Tanks Metal Products & Industrial Components
- Electric Motors General Machinery & Industrial Equipment
- Agricultural Drones Agriculture & Livestock Equipment
- Wire & Cable New Energy, Power & Electrical
- Automotive Lighting Automotive & Vehicles
- Flooring Building Materials & Construction Products
- Cartons Wood, Bamboo & Paper Products
- Flexible Packaging Plastics, Rubber & Packaging
- Capacitors Electronic Components & Semiconductors
📞 Contact Us
Ready to ship? Our team responds within one business day. We also handle sourcing and purchasing.