Which airports and ports in Japan do you ship to?
- Air: Tokyo Narita (NRT) and Tokyo Haneda (HND), Osaka Kansai (KIX) and Nagoya Chubu Centrair (NGO) are the main cargo airports. We also ship to Fukuoka (FUK) and other cities. Shipments fly direct or via a hub, chosen by price, capacity and schedule.
- Sea: Tokyo, Yokohama, Nagoya, Kobe and Osaka are the main container ports. Full containers (FCL) and smaller shipments (LCL) both work.
How long does freight from Finland to Japan take?
| Service | Typical transit |
|---|---|
| Air freight to Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya | 1–3 days |
| Air freight to other cities | confirmed in the quote |
| Sea freight to Japanese ports | confirmed in the quote |
Indicative, updated 14 October 2026. Times run from handover in Finland and assume complete documents. Customs in Japan is not included. We do not route shipments through Russia or Belarus.
What Japan requires on the documents
Japanese customs is efficient but expects the paperwork to be exact. Before shipping we check that:
- The importer is clear: the consignee in Japan acts as importer, and its name, address and contact details are the same on the commercial invoice, packing list and waybill.
- The invoice is complete: full goods description, HS code, quantity, unit price, total value, currency, Incoterm, country of origin, gross and net weight.
- Regulated goods are cleared in advance: food and food contact materials need an import notification under the Japanese Food Sanitation Act, and cosmetics, medicines and medical devices can only be imported by a company licensed in Japan. The buyer arranges this before the goods leave.
- Wooden packaging is ISPM 15 treated and marked.
- Dangerous goods and lithium batteries are classified and packed under the IATA DGR before booking. Dangerous goods
Export from Finland
A shipment to Japan leaves the EU, so it needs an export declaration. Send us the commercial invoice, packing list and your EORI number, and any export licence for dual-use goods, such as some electronics, sensors and software. Once the goods have left the EU, Finnish Customs confirms the export. Keep that confirmation: it proves the sale is zero-rated for VAT.
Preferential origin under the EU–Japan EPA
The EU–Japan Economic Partnership Agreement removes or reduces Japanese import duty on many EU goods. To use it:
- The goods must meet the origin rules of the agreement for their HS code.
- The exporter writes a statement on origin on the invoice or another commercial document, using the wording set out in the agreement.
- When the originating goods in a shipment are worth more than EUR 6,000, the EU exporter must be registered in the REX system and give the REX number in the statement.
If you are unsure whether your product qualifies, ask us before you quote a duty-free price to your buyer. Foreign trade consulting
Seafood and other perishables
We have shipped seafood such as crabs by air, and we can arrange fresh fish and other chilled food to Japan with temperature-controlled handling; the 1–3 day air transit keeps the cold chain short. Food of animal origin usually needs an export health certificate and must meet Japan’s import rules, so we confirm the documents with you and the buyer before booking. Perishables
Common problems on the Japan lane, and how we avoid them
- No statement on origin, or the wrong wording: the buyer pays full duty. We check the statement and the REX number before the goods leave.
- Consignee details differ between documents: clearance stops in Japan. We match the invoice, packing list and waybill before booking.
- Regulated goods without the Japanese importer’s licence or notification: cosmetics, supplements and food cannot be released. We ask the buyer to confirm before shipping.
- Untreated wooden pallets: Japan can order them treated or returned. We check the ISPM 15 mark.
How it works
- Send the pickup address, destination, goods description, dimensions, weights and Incoterm.
- You get a price, routing and transit time.
- We collect the goods, check the documents and clear export in Finland.
- You get the AWB or B/L number for tracking.
- Our partner clears import in Japan and delivers.
Updated 14 October 2026 · Reviewed by Artem Tchervonni, Managing Director