Ocean & Air Freight Shipping from Japan to the United States

The United States and Japan are two of the world's largest economies, and trade between the two countries is vital to both nations. The United States is Japan's second-largest trading partner, and Japan is the United States' fourth-largest trading partner.

Both countries are members of the World Trade Organization ( WTO) and have signed a number of free trade agreements (FTAs), including the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). These deals have helped to liberalize trade between the two countries and have made it easier for businesses to operate in each other's markets.

What Are the Options for Shipping Freight From Japan to the United States?

There are a few different options for shipping freight from Japan to the United States, namely ocean freight and air freight.

Ocean Freight From Japan to the United States

The most common method of shipping from Japan to the U.S. is via ocean freight, which can take anywhere from 15 to 50 days, depending on the route. Ocean freight gives shippers two options for container shipping: LCL and FCL. 

LCL is a term used in the shipping industry to describe a shipment that does not fill an entire container. LCL shipments are usually consolidated with other shipments bound for the same destination, which can make them less expensive than shipping via full container load (FCL). 

FCL is a shipment where the entire container is filled with cargo from a single customer. This type of shipment is usually more cost-effective than LCL because it eliminates the need for repacking and consolidation. FCL can be used for shipments of all sizes, from a few pallets to an entire container load.

Air Freight from Japan to the United States

Air freight is also an option to ship goods from Japan to the U.S., but it is much more expensive and the transit times are shorter, so it is not typically used for large shipments.

How Much Does it Cost to Ship Cargo From Japan to the United States?

The cost of shipping cargo from Japan to the United States will vary depending on a number of factors, including:

• 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

Use our online freight costs calculator to get an estimate of your shipping costs. The table below provides the current cost for shipping a standard 20-foot container from Japan to the US:

How long does it take to ship cargo from Japan to the United States?

The duration for shipping goods from Japan to the United States is primarily influenced by the international shipping mode chosen. Other factors that can affect this include:

• The season (whether it's peak or low season)
• The directness of the shipment route
• How popular the trade lane is
• Geopolitical instability
• Potential incidents at the ports

How long does it take to ship cargo by sea from Japan to the United States?

It typically takes about 15 to 50 days for cargo to ship by sea from Japan to the United States. 

How long does it take to ship cargo by air from Japan to the United States?

It typically takes around 2-8 days for cargo to be shipped by air from Japan to the United States. 

For the most accurate estimate, we recommend using our transit time calculator.

Customs Clearance in Japan and the United States

Customs clearance is the process of getting permission to bring goods into a country. Each country has its own customs rules and regulations, which must be followed in order to clear customs. The following documents are typically required for customs clearance:

• 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

We have a full documents list you can refer to to help you do just that. 

Should You Choose Ocean Freight or Air Freight?

Ocean Freight

There are both pros and cons to using ocean freight as a means of shipping goods. The advantages include the relatively low cost of shipping compared to air freight, the large capacity of most vessels, and the fact that ocean freight is a relatively safe and reliable form of transportation. 

However, there are also some disadvantages to using ocean freight, including the potential for delays due to weather or other factors, and the fact that it can take longer for goods to reach their destination when shipped via ocean freight. Ultimately, whether or not to use ocean freight will depend on the specific needs and circumstances of each individual shipper.

Considerations for LCL Freight Shipping

LCL freight shipping is a great option for cargo that is:

• Small in size and quantity 
• Lightweight
• Suitable for consolidation with cargo belonging to other shippers 
• Not delicate, fragile, or high-value 
• Not requiring special handling or movement 

Considerations for FCL Freight Shipping

FCL is a good shipping option if you are sending cargo that is: 

• Large in size and quantity 
• Heavy or overweight
• Not suitable for consolidation with cargo belonging to other shippers 
• Delicate, fragile, or high-value 
• Requiring special handling or movement 

Air Freight

To help you decide on whether or not to use air freight to ship from Japan to the U.S., here are some things to consider: 

• Air freight is generally faster than other shipping methods, making it ideal for time-sensitive shipments.
• Air freight is also generally more expensive than other shipping methods.
• Air freight can be subject to delays due to weather or other factors, which can impact the timely delivery of your shipment.
• Airfreight shipments are typically handled with more care than other types of shipments, which can help to ensure the safety of your products.

Ocean Cargo Port Guide

Cargo ports of origin in Japan

Port of Tokyo

The Port of Tokyo is one of the busiest ports in the world, handling a huge amount of cargo every year. The port is located in the heart of Tokyo, on the Tokyo Bay waterfront. It is a major hub for international trade and commerce and is also a popular tourist destination.

Port of Osaka

The Port of Osaka is the largest seaport in western Japan and is located in the city of Osaka. It is a major hub for transportation and trade and handles a large amount of container traffic. The port also serves as a base for many shipping companies and freight forwarders.

Port of Nagoya

The Port of Nagoya is the busiest port in Japan and one of the busiest ports in the world. Located on the central coast of Honshu, the port handles a large portion of Japan's imports and exports. The port is also a major hub for container shipping in East Asia.

Cargo ports of arrival in the United States 

Port of Los Angeles

The Port of Los Angeles is the busiest and most productive seaport in North America. Located in San Pedro Bay, 25 miles south of downtown Los Angeles, the Port occupies 7,500 acres of land and water along 43 miles of waterfront. The Port is a leading gateway for trade between the United States and Asia, handling more containerized cargo than any other port in North America and generating billions of dollars in annual revenue. More than 8,200 vessels call at the Port each year, carrying nearly 18 million containers of cargo.

Port of Long Beach

The Port of Long Beach was first established in 1907. Initially, it was a small harbor that served as a shipping point for agricultural products grown in the area. However, the construction of the Panama Canal in 1914 led to an increase in maritime traffic and the port began to grow rapidly. By the 1920s, it had become one of the busiest ports on the West Coast of the United States.

Port of New York and New Jersey

The Port of New York and New Jersey is the busiest port on the East Coast of the United States. It is also the third-largest port in the country, behind only Los Angeles and Long Beach in California. The port is located in New York Harbor, which is one of the busiest natural harbors in the world. The port handles a wide variety of cargo, including containers, automobiles, crude oil, and forest products.

Air Freight from Japan to the United States: An airport guide

Airports of origin in Japan 

Narita International Airport

Narita International Airport, also known as Tokyo Narita Airport, is one of the busiest airports in the world. It is located in Chiba Prefecture, about 60 kilometers from central Tokyo. 

Cargo services are an important part of the airport's operations. The airport has two dedicated cargo terminals - the North Cargo Terminal and the South Cargo Terminal. These terminals handle a variety of cargo, including perishable goods, pharmaceuticals, electronics, and hazardous materials. The airport also has a number of facilities for handling live animals. 

The North Cargo Terminal was completed in 1978 and handles approximately 1.3 million tons of cargo each year. The South Cargo Terminal was completed in 2010 and can handle up to 2.6 million tons of cargo each year.

Kansai International Airport

Kansai International Airport (KIX) is the main airport serving Kansai. It is located on an artificial island in Osaka Bay about 30km from the city center. KIX is one of the busiest airports in Japan, handling over 25 million passengers and over 400,000 tonnes of freight per year.

New Chitose Airport

New Chitose Airport is Japan's second busiest airport, handling over 23 million passengers annually. It is also a major cargo hub, handling over 1.5 million tons of cargo per year. The airport is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and equipment to handle a variety of cargo, including dangerous goods.

Airports of arrival in the United States 

JFK International Airport

JFK International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world, handling over 50 million passengers and 4 million tons of cargo each year. The airport is a major hub for both domestic and international flights and offers a wide variety of cargo services to meet the needs of its many customers.

The airport has a dedicated cargo area that is separate from the passenger terminal, making it easy to handle large shipments. JFK also has a state-of-the-art security system in place to ensure that all shipments are safe and secure.

Los Angeles International Airport

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is the busiest and largest airport in the Greater Los Angeles Area and the state of California, as well as one of the busiest airports in the United States. It is also the only airport to serve as a hub for all three US legacy carriers (American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines).

In terms of cargo traffic, LAX is the second-busiest airport in the world and the busiest in North America. Some of the major airlines that operate cargo services to and from LAX include Cathay Pacific, China Airlines, FedEx, and Korean Air.

Miami International Airport

Miami International Airport (MIA) offers a variety of cargo services to accommodate the needs of businesses and individuals shipping goods through the airport. MIA is one of the busiest airports in the world, handling over 1.3 million tons of cargo each year. The airport has two cargo terminals, North Cargo and South Cargo, which are served by a variety of airlines.

MIA's North Cargo terminal is home to American Airlines' WorldPort facility, the largest air cargo operation in the world. The terminal also houses facilities for UPS, FedEx, and DHL. MIA's South Cargo terminal handles cargo for Air Canada, Lufthansa, and other airlines.