Current Freight Rates
| Weight / Volume | Rate (USD / KG) |
|---|---|
| 20GP | USD 467.60 |
| 40HQ | USD 782.96 |
How these prices are calculated — chargeable weight
Freight is not billed on the number on your bathroom scale. It is billed on chargeable weight: the greater of actual gross weight and volumetric weight, where volumetric weight is L × W × H (cm) ÷ 6000. Denser cargo pays on its weight; light bulky cargo pays on the space it occupies. Whichever is higher is the one you pay — never the lower.
- One cubic metre = 167 kg. That is 1,000,000 cm³ ÷ 6000, the same divisor used for the volumetric check, so both sides of this page agree with each other.
- Freight only. These are published freight rates. Duty, tax and customs charges at destination are not a fixed number we can print: they follow your product's HS code, its declared value and the exchange rate applied on the day of entry, so they are confirmed against your actual goods and quoted separately.
- Indicative only — the real price can be higher or lower. Nothing on this page is a quotation or a commitment. What you finally pay depends on what the product is, how it is packed, the chargeable weight, the declared value, the destination duty position and the exchange rate at the time. Send the product details, weight and dimensions and we will price your specific shipment.
Trade Terms Explained — Who Pays for What EXW, FOB, CIF, DDP and seven more — see which costs sit with us and which sit with you
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
Nansha → Tokyo — Current FCL Container Rate
This page carries our live port-to-port FCL rate from Nansha (南沙) to Tokyo, Japan. The figures below are ocean freight for a full container on the Intra-Asia — Japan lane and are refreshed from the carrier rate sheet each time it is reissued.
Rate by Container Type
- 20'GP — USD 350 all-in ocean freight
- 40'HQ — USD 650 all-in ocean freight
Sailing Details
- Carrier / NVOCC allocation: STIC
- Next ETD out of Nansha: weekly sailings
- destination free time confirmed at booking
- Routing: per carrier schedule — direct or transhipment as noted on the booking confirmation
Every consignment on this service is measured as well as weighed. Volumetric weight is L×W×H in centimetres divided by 6000 — one cubic metre counted as roughly 166.7 kg — and whichever figure is higher is the one charged. Dense cargo pays on its weight; light bulky cargo pays on its volume, and repacking to raise density is often the cheapest saving available on a Japan shipment.
Typical cargo on this route: kitchenware (HS 94), where clearance turns on timber due diligence (EUTR / EUDR) and UK upholstery fire regulations, artificial plants (HS mixed) and doors & windows (HS 68 / 69 / 70 / 44). If yours is on that list the commodity page is worth two minutes — it covers how the goods should leave the factory, how they should sit in the container, and the failure mode we see most often on this kind of freight.
To see this tariff against a real consignment rather than a rate card, the 100 KG, 300 KG and 500 KG pages run it at a fixed weight and show the landed total, including the point where stepping up a bracket lowers your cost per kilo. They are the fastest way to check whether consolidating two orders into one is worth the wait.
We move sea freight cargo for Japan through Tokyo, Yokohama and Osaka. The quoted rate covers the ocean leg to whichever of those the vessel calls at; the difference between them shows up in the trucking cost beyond the quay, which is why it pays to name the delivery city when you ask for a quote rather than just the country.
The table above prices the lane, but most buyers arrive with a consignment already in mind. If yours has a known weight, the 100 KG, 300 KG and 500 KG breakdowns run this tariff against a fixed shipment so you see a landed number rather than a rate per kilo, and the China to Japan Sea Freight Cost page sets every channel we run on this lane side by side. For the wider picture including documentation and duty, start from shipping from China to Japan.
Inland coverage matters more than the port rate for most consignees. We deliver to Tokyo, Hiroshima, Sapporo, Osaka and Saitama and beyond, and the guide for each sets out its arrival gateway, the inland days to add to the transit quoted here, and the documentation the local office actually asks for. You can browse all Japan destinations we cover, 16 destinations in total.
Track your shipment
Enter your tracking number below
Powered by 17TRACK — supports 2,000+ carriers worldwide
Track your container to Japan
Ocean cargo is tracked by container number, not by a parcel barcode. Enter yours below: we check it is a valid number, identify the line that owns it, and take you straight to that line's tracking page for this ocean service.
A container number is four letters and seven digits, for example MSKU6090510. The last digit is a check digit, so a typo can be caught here rather than by an empty result on the carrier's site. We validate it in your browser — the number is not sent to us or to anyone else.
Additional Information
What the Rate Covers
The published figure is ocean freight, port to port. It does not include origin haulage to Nansha, origin customs declaration, destination customs clearance, duty and VAT, or destination delivery — those are quoted separately once the commodity and Incoterm are confirmed.
- Basis: one full container, 20'GP (20' standard container) / 40'HQ (40' high-cube container)
- Currency: USD, per container (not per KG or per CBM)
- Rate validity follows the carrier's sheet — spot allocations move week to week, so reconfirm before the cut-off
- Dangerous goods, out-of-gauge and reefer cargo are priced separately
Booking Notes
- Container release and cut-off dates are tied to the specific ETD shown above
- Demurrage and detention start once the destination free time expires
- Space on discounted spot allocations is limited; the rate holds only while the allocation lasts.
Where these numbers come from
Treat the landed-cost numbers here as a planning baseline. Japan Customs sets the rate that actually gets charged, assessed against your HS classification at the moment of clearance, so their own guidance is worth reading before a large order.
If you want to sanity-check a duty figure yourself, start from the heading rather than the product name — the WCO Harmonized System is the underlying nomenclature, and the WTO Tariff & Trade Data portal holds the applied rates by country pair.
For ocean cargo, restricted commodities move under the IMO's IMDG Code, and the container has to be declared and stowed accordingly. Batteries, flammables and corrosives all have a compliant ocean path; what causes rolled bookings is finding out about them after the container is packed.
On the origin side, export declaration and any commodity inspection requirement fall under China Customs (GACC); we handle that filing as part of the service, but the requirement is theirs, not ours.
If this is your first shipment into Japan, the Japan Country Commercial Guide covers the practical import environment in more depth than a rate page reasonably can, and it is written by a party with no stake in your booking.
China to Japan — Shipping Reference Data
| Main sea gateways | Tokyo, Yokohama, Osaka |
|---|---|
| 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 Sea Route
This page covers a Sea freight service from China to Japan. Use the matching tool below to plan your cargo before requesting a quote.
3D Container Loading Planner
Wondering whether your cargo fills a 20GP or needs a 40HQ for this Japan route? The 3D container planner simulates cartons, crates, pallets, and even mixed box sizes in one container.
Open Container Planner →Japan Sea Freight Checklist
- Ask whether the quote includes destination port charges in Japan or only ocean freight.
- Check pallet vs floor-loading: floor loading typically fits 8-12% more cartons per container.
- Reserve loading space 5-7 days before the sailing cut-off for this route during peak season.
- Confirm whether your Japan rate is per CBM or per container before comparing quotes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does Sea FCL Port-to-Port (Spot) from China to Japan take?
Sea freight on this route runs about 25–45 calendar 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.
How is the shipping cost on this route calculated?
We compare actual gross weight against volumetric weight (L×W×H ÷ 6000, so one cubic metre counts as about 166.7 kg) and charge whichever is greater, rounded up to the next kilogram, then apply the per-KG rate shown in the table above. A 300 kg consignment measuring out to only 200 kg volumetric is still charged on the 300 kg.
Can you ship special cargo (batteries, branded goods) to Japan?
Yes — battery goods by sea follow UN3480/UN3481 rules with an MSDS; we prepare the dangerous-goods paperwork as part of DDP into Tokyo, Yokohama, Osaka. Surcharges apply.
What does DDP shipping to Japan include on this route?
DDP means we quote the freight, the customs entry with Japan Customs (税関) and last-mile delivery in Japan together, so you settle once. The duty and tax portion depends on your product's HS code, declared value and the exchange rate at entry, so it is confirmed against your actual goods — the figures on this page are indicative and can move either way.
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.
Historical Price Records
All price updates are recorded here. Use the weekly tabs to browse older entries.
| Date | 20GP | 40HQ |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-11-04Latest | USD 467.60 | USD 782.96 |
| 2026-10-24 | USD 467.53 | USD 782.82 |
| 2026-10-16 | USD 467.46 | USD 782.68 |
| 2026-10-10 | USD 467.53 | USD 782.82 |
| 2026-09-30 | USD 467.57 | USD 782.89 |
| 2026-09-17 | USD 468.31 | USD 784.26 |
| 2026-09-15 | USD 467.57 | USD 782.89 |
| 2026-09-07 | USD 450.07 | USD 750.37 |
| 2026-08-17 | USD 449.72 | USD 749.72 |
| 2026-08-17 | USD 450.02 | USD 750.02 |
| 2026-08-14 | USD 450.00 | USD 750.00 |
Price Trend
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.
- Hakata FUK air / Hakata sea inland same day Guide only — no rates
- Moji FUK air / Moji sea inland same day Guide only — no rates
- Yokkaichi NGO air / Yokkaichi sea inland same day Guide only — no rates
- Hitachinaka NRT air / Hitachinaka sea inland same day Guide only — no rates
- 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
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.
- 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
- Smart Home Products Consumer Electronics & Smart Devices