Ocean & Air Freight Shipping from Japan to Canada

Japan and Canada have healthy trade relationships. Japan is Canada’s fourth-largest trade partner, with total imports from Japan totaling $17.1 billion in 2022. The bulk of merchandise exports from Japan to Canada are automobiles, auto parts, industrial and electrical machinery and equipment, and scientific instruments.

If you want to tap into the Canadian market, you’ve come to the right place. Here’s everything you need to know about ocean and air freight shipping from Japan to Canada.  

What Are the Options for Shipping Freight From Japan to Canada?

To ship freight from Japan to Canada, you can choose ocean freight or air freight. 

Ocean Freight From Japan to Canada

Ocean freight is the most common mode of shipment from Japan to Canada. This is because this shipping option is highly versatile and flexible, not to mention budget-friendly. Ocean freight offers two shipping methods: less than container load (LCL) and full container load (FCL). 

In LCL, your goods will be consolidated with consignments from other sellers. They are then shipped together in one container, making shipping costs cheaper but transit times longer. 

On the other hand, in FCL, you rent the space in an entire container unit. It’s best for large volumes of goods and high-value cargo. FCL has faster transit times than LCL because there’s no consolidation involved. However, freight rates are often higher. 

Air Freight from Japan to Canada

Air freight is another common shipping method for goods coming from Japan and bound for Canada. It offers the fastest means of transport and is highly secure thanks to strict airport regulations. But air freight is expensive and can be limiting when it comes to what you can ship. 

How Much Does it Cost to Ship Cargo From Japan to Canada?

The cost of shipping cargo from Japan to Canada will depend on the following factors: 

• Your choice of ocean or air shipping
• Your preference for door-to-door, port-to-port, port-to-door, or door-to-port shipment
• Your consignment’s weight, volume, and size
• Weight and size limits

To calculate your shipping costs, try our online freight costs calculator. The table below displays the current cost of shipping a standard 20-foot container from Japan to Canada

Customs Clearance in Japan and Canada

When your goods arrive in Canada, they must undergo the Canadian customs clearance process. This step in the process would require you to submit the following documents: 

• A commercial invoice
• A packing list
• A certificate of origin
• A bill of lading for ocean freight or an Airway Bill for air freight

If you’re unfamiliar with these documents, we have a complete list you can check out.

Should You Choose Ocean Freight or Air Freight?

You should weigh your options carefully and decide on ocean or air freight based on your needs and priorities. Here are some pointers to help you make the right choice. 

Ocean Freight

Ocean freight is a good option if you’re looking for a cheap way to get your goods from Japan to Canada. It also accommodates different types of goods and a range of measurements, weights, and volumes. However, do note that ocean freight has longer transit times than air freight. 

Considerations for LCL Freight Shipping

Less than container load shipping might be right for you if your cargo is: 

• Small, lightweight
• Suitable for consolidation with other cargo 
• Not requiring special handling or movement 
• Not fragile, delicate, or high-value

Considerations for FCL Freight Shipping

On the other hand, FCL might be a better choice if your cargo is: 

• Large, heavy




• Not suitable for consolidation with other cargo 




• Requiring special handling or movement 




• Fragile, delicate, or high-value 

Air Freight

If your priority is getting your goods from Japan to Canada fast, then air freight is your best bet. It’s also the most secure because airports typically have robust security measures that protect against intruders and theft.

However, air freight might not be allowed for some cargo types, so do your research beforehand. It’s also worth it to learn the air freight costs to know how much you can expect to prepare. 

Ocean Cargo Port Guide

Cargo ports of origin in Japan

Port of Yokohama

The Port of Yokohama is one of Japan’s major ports. It has ten wharves capable of handling 35,000 vessels and over 350 million tonnes of goods. Its main port facility is the Honmoku dock, which handles container shipments. 

Port of Osaka

The Port of Osaka is one of the busiest ports in Japan. It can handle 80 million tonnes of cargo per year and is connected to 140 nations worldwide. Its container terminal has six berths and handles a range of goods like fruits and veggies. 

Port of Nagoya

The Port of Nagoya is the largest trading port in Japan. It handles over 10% of Japanese trade around the world, especially when it comes to Toyota cars. The port exports 1.4 million vehicles to 160 countries per year. 

Cargo ports of arrival in Canada

Port of Montreal

The Port of Montreal serves the Canadian regions of Quebec and Montreal. It has the shortest direct route between Europe, North America, and the Mediterranean, making it a very impactful port for the Canadian economy. 

Port of Halifax

The Port of Halifax has connections with 150 economies around the world. It is known as a highly efficient port because of its self-imposed deadlines that allow it to move cargo fast. This allowed it to increase its container traffic by double. 

Port of Prince Rupert

The Port of Prince Rupert is a secondary port to the Port of Vancouver. It mainly handles importing and exporting Canada’s natural resources, including grain, coal, and lumbar. It houses Canada’s most modern grain facilities through its Prince Rupert grain terminal. 

Air Freight from Japan to Canada: An airport guide

Airports of origin in Japan

Narita International Airport

The Narita International Airport is also known as Tokyo-Narita Airport. It is located east of Tokyo and serves the capital city. The airport is a hub for Japan Airlines, All Nippon Airways, and Peach Aviation. It handles approximately 2.5 million tonnes of cargo per year. 

Kansai International Airport

The Kansai International Airport serves the Greater Osaka Area, Kyoto, and Kobe, Japan. It houses the same renowned airlines as Narita Airport and handles approximately 808,000 tonnes of goods annually. 

Tokyo International Airport 

The Tokyo International Airport, also known as the Haneda Airport, is in Ota City, Tokyo. It is one of the two airports serving the Greater Tokyo Area. The airport is a hub for Japan Airlines, All Nippon Airways, and Skymark Airlines. It handles about 430,000 tonnes of cargo per year.

Airports of arrival in Canada

Calgary International

The Calgary International Airport is located in Alberta, Canada. It serves the city of Calgary and is the busiest in that region. The airport has a range of warehouses for cargo handling, allowing it to sustain operations that handle 79,500 tonnes of cargo per year. 

Hamilton International

The Hamilton International Airport, more formally called the John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport, is located in Ontario, Canada. It is a hub for Cargojet, UPS Airlines, SkyLink Express, Swoop, and KF Cargo, which handle about 121,800 tonnes of cargo per year.

Toronto Pearson

The Toronto Pearson International Airport is located in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. It serves the Toronto metropolitan area and the Golden Horseshoe surrounding region. The airport houses Porter Airlines, Air Transat, WestJet, Air Canada, and Swoop, handling 303,000 tonnes of cargo annually.

Customs Clearance in Canada and the U.S.

Before your goods can enter U.S. borders, they must undergo customs clearance. This requires you to submit the following documents: 

• A commercial invoice
• A packing list
• A certificate of origin
• A letter of credit or other payment terms (depending on the contract between the parties involved)
• A bill of lading for ocean freight or an Airway Bill for air freight

For examples of these customs clearance requirements, take a look at our full documents list. 

Should You Choose Ocean Freight or Air Freight?

Whether you should ship via ocean or air freight is a decision you shouldn’t take lightly. Here are some pointers to help you make the right choice. 

Ocean Freight

Ocean freight is best if you’re looking for an economical way to ship your goods from Canada to the U.S. but don’t mind the long transit times. It’s a very versatile shipping option, allowing you to choose between two modes of ocean freight: 

Considerations for LCL Freight Shipping

Less than container load is ideal for you if your shipment is: 

• Small, lightweight




• Suitable for consolidation with other cargo 




• Not requiring special handling or movement 




• Not fragile, delicate, or high-value 

Considerations for FCL Freight Shipping

On the other hand, you might be better off choosing FCL if your cargo is: 

• Large, heavy 




• Not suitable for consolidation with other cargo




• Requires special handling or movement 




• Fragile, delicate, or high-value

Air Freight

If you’re looking for a fast and secure way to ship goods from Canada to the U.S., you should choose air freight. Capable of getting your goods to their destination in a matter of days, this is perfect for high-value and perishable goods. However, you should know that air freight regulations are strict and that this mode of shipment can get expensive. 

Ocean Cargo Port Guide

Cargo ports of origin in Canada

Port of Hamilton

The Port of Hamilton is Ontario’s biggest port, providing access to the Greater Toronto-Hamilton area. It is linked to two shipping routes in the Great Lakes and facilitates the flow of goods in its region. 

Port of Toronto

The Port of Toronto in Ontario, Canada, is situated on the northwest shore of Lake Ontario. It is one of the country’s largest freshwater ports covering 20 hectares of land. The port boasts a heated storage container terminal. 

Port of Sydney

The Port of Sydney is a deepwater port in Nova Scotia, Canada. It is Atlantic Canada’s busiest port and has several facilities for container shipping. It is a great contributor to the region’s and Canada’s economy. 

Cargo ports of arrival in the U.S.

Port of Houston

The Port of Houston in Texas, USA, handles a large number of shipments in a year, making it one of the busiest ports in the world. It handles about 284.9 million metric tonnes of cargo, both inward and outwards of the U.S. 

Port of South Louisiana

The Port of South Louisiana in Laplace, USA, has been around for decades, opening its cargo operations in the 1940s. The port handles 60% of grain cargo handling in the Midwest and is one of the biggest ports in the country. 

Port of New York and New Jersey

The Port of New York and New Jersey is located in the New York Harbor. It is the largest natural harbor in the world and provides direct access through the Atlantic Ocean. This port is the busiest in the world, earning the U.S. $5.5 billion annually. 

Air Freight from Canada to the U.S.: An airport guide

Airports of origin in Canada

Toronto Pearson

The Toronto Pearson International Airport, also known as the Lester B. Pearson International Airport is in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. It primarily serves the Toronto metropolitan area and handles 303,000 tonnes of cargo annually. 

Vancouver International

The Vancouver International Airport is located in Richmond, British Columbia. It caters to Vancouver and the lower mainland region. The port houses airlines such as Air Canada, WestJet, Air Transat, and Pacific Coastal Airlines which handle 232,600 tonnes of cargo annually.

Montreal Trudeau

The Montréal–Trudeau International Airport, formerly the Montréal–Dorval International Airport, is located in Dorval, Quebec, Canada. It houses Air Canada, Air Transat, and Sunwing Airlines, which handle 81,400 tonnes of cargo per year. 

Airports of arrival in the U.S.

Memphis International Airport

The Memphis International Airport is one of the biggest airports in the world by total cargo tonnage. It contributes $23.3 billion to the U.S. economy and handles around 4,290,638 tons of cargo per year. 

Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport

The Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport’s operations mostly concern freight, handling 80% of all goods shipped by freighter aircraft over the Pacific. Every year, it sees about 2,630,701 tons of cargo. 

Louisville Regional Airport

The Louisville Regional Airport is one of the most popular in the world, accommodating more than 5 billion pounds and  2,350,656 tons of cargo annually. It boasts a Worldport for cargo, which sorts 416,000 packages per hour.