As Asian neighbors, China and Japan have frequent trade exchanges, and transportation efficiency has become the focus of many companies and cross-border e-commerce. This article will introduce the timeliness of shipping from China to Japan in detail, helping to choose the most suitable logistics solution.
Shipping from China to Japan
Depending on factors such as the type of goods, timeliness requirements, and budget constraints, there are mainly the following modes of transportation from China to Japan:
Sea Freight
Sea transportation is the most commonly used mode of transportation. It is suitable for bulk goods or goods that are not urgently needed. The freight is relatively low. It is especially suitable for large quantities of goods with frequent routes, mature operations and complete logistics network. There are two main types of services:
- Full Container Load (FCL): Suitable for a single customer with a large volume of goods
- Less than Container Load (LCL): Suitable for small quantities and multi-customer LCL transportation
Air Freight
For companies that need to deliver goods quickly, air freight is the first choice. Air freight is the fastest mode of transport, with a short transit time, suitable for urgent orders, samples or perishable goods. Air transport usually involves stricter security measures to reduce the risk of loss or damage during transportation.
Compared with sea transport, air freight has fewer delays and more predictable delivery time. Customs clearance is efficient and suitable for high-value, time-sensitive goods
Factors affecting of Shipping Time from China to Japan
The time of transportation from China to Japan is determined by the mode of transportation and is also affected by the following factors:
- Port congestion: Both China and South Korea have efficient port systems, but occasional congestion, especially in peak season, may cause delays and increase the time for transshipment and customs clearance
- Characteristics of goods: Some goods require special handling and may require more time to process and transport.
- Seasonal factors: During peak season, space on ships or aircraft may be very limited, which may cause the detention or transportation delay of goods.
- Warehousing and loading and unloading arrangements: Container loading, ship queuing time, etc. may cause delays
- Customs clearance: Customs delays may occur if the documents are incomplete or incorrect.
- Weather conditions: Bad weather, especially typhoons in the Yellow Sea, may delay sea freight.
Shipping Time from China to Japan
Due to the close distance between China and Japan, shipping time between China and Japan is usually shorter than other international routes. Below is a comparison of typical shipping times for various modes of transportation.
Sea Freight Time from China to Japan
Sea transportation takes a long time and is suitable for bulk commodities, machinery and equipment, building materials and other goods. It takes about 5–12 days for goods to be transported from major ports in China such as Shanghai, Ningbo, Qingdao, etc. to major cargo ports in Japan, etc.
Major ports
- Port of Tokyo: Japan’s largest port and the main gateway for goods to enter the Japanese market.
- Port of Yokohama: Located near Tokyo, it is one of Japan’s busiest ports, especially for containerized cargo.
- Port of Osaka: An important hub for international and domestic shipping that can meet the needs of a variety of goods.
| POL (Port of China) | POL (Port of Japan) | Shipping days |
|---|---|---|
| Shanghai | Tokyo | 6–11 days |
| Shenzhen | Tokyo | 5–12 days |
| Ningbo | Tokyo | 6–12 days |
| Shanghai | Yokohama | 6–13 days |
| Shenzhen | Yokohama | 7–12 days |
| Ningbo | Yokohama | 5–11 days |
| Shanghai | Osaka | 5–12 days |
| Shenzhen | Osaka | 5–12 days |
| Ningbo | Osaka | 6–12 days |
Air Freight Time from China to Japan
Air transport is suitable for goods with high timeliness requirements, such as electronic products, clothing samples, fresh products, pharmaceutical products, etc. It takes about 3-6 days to transport goods from major airports in China such as Shanghai Pudong, Beijing Capital, Guangzhou Baiyun to Japanese airports.
- Haneda Airport (HND): Located near the capital, it is one of the busiest airports in the world and an important hub for international air cargo.
- Narita Airport (NRT): As Japan’s main international airport, Narita Airport handles a large amount of air cargo and provides extensive connections to major cities.
- Kansai International Airport (KIX): The airport is strategically located and serves the Kansai region, including cities such as Osaka, Kobe and Kyoto
| Departure Airport (China) | Arrival Airport (Japan) | Shipping days |
| Shanghai Pudong | Narita | 2-5 days |
| Guangzhou Baiyun | Narita | 4-6 days |
| Beijing Capital | Narita | 3-6 days |
| Shanghai Pudong | Haneda | 2-6 days |
| Guangzhou Baiyun | Haneda | 3-5 days |
| Beijing Capital | Haneda | 3-6 days |
| Shanghai Pudong | Kansai | 2-5 days |
| Guangzhou Baiyun | Kansai | 2-6 days |
| Beijing Capital | Kansai | 3-6 days |
Below are the shipping times to other countries:
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How to Shorten the Shipping Time from China to Japan
Here are some ways to improve the efficiency of shipping from China to Japan and save time:
Choose the right mode of transportation
Choose the right transportation plan according to the urgency of the goods and the budget.
Arrange the freight plan in advance
Avoid logistics congestion caused by peak seasons (such as the Chinese New Year, Black Friday, Christmas, etc.).
Use the logistics tracking system
Monitor the status of cargo transportation in real time and adjust the arrangements in time.
Optimize the customs clearance process
Ensure that all necessary documents (such as invoices, packing lists, certificates of origin, etc.) are complete to reduce customs clearance time.
Cooperate with a reliable logistics company
Experienced logistics companies can help optimize transportation routes and provide fast customs clearance services.
How to Ship Goods from China to Japan
Prepare Your Shipment
- Documents: Make sure all export and import documents are in place, including bills of lading, commercial invoices, packing lists, and certificates of origin.
- Packaging: Properly package your shipment using durable materials to prevent damage during shipping, especially for fragile or high-value items.
- Labels: Make sure all packages are clearly labeled with product details, destination, and handling instructions.
Choose the Right Shipping Method
Choose the right shipping method based on your budget and schedule. For large shipments, FCL is recommended; for smaller shipments, LCL is recommended. For time-sensitive shipments, air or courier shipping is appropriate.
Contact a Freight Forwarder
Contact a reputable freight forwarder to manage the logistics of your shipment.
Customs Clearance
Prepare all customs documents required for China and South Korea.Pay any applicable duties, VAT, and taxes to ensure a smooth import into Japan.
Tracking and Shipping
Use the tracking tools provided by your freight forwarder or carrier to monitor the progress of your shipment from origin to destination.
Receive the shipment
Once in Japan, ensure your shipment is properly handled and transported to your warehouse or final destination.
Cost of Shipping 20ft to 40ft Containers from China to Japan
China’s ports of Shanghai, Ningbo, Qingdao, Shenzhen, Xiamen and others maintain high-density shipping routes with Japan’s ports of Tokyo, Osaka, Kobe, Nagoya, Yokohama and others. The costs of different ports are different. Understanding the following costs will help you better improve your transportation plan.
| POL (Port of China) | POL (Port of Japan) | 20ft Container Cost | 40ft Container Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shanghai | Tokyo | $500 – $750 | $900 – $1300 |
| Shenzhen | Tokyo | $520 – $780 | $920 – $1350 |
| Ningbo | Tokyo | $530 – $790 | $930 – $1350 |
| Shanghai | Yokohama | $510 – $800 | $900 – $1300 |
| Shenzhen | Yokohama | $530 – $850 | $950 – $1350 |
| Ningbo | Yokohama | $500 – $750 | $900 – $1350 |
| Shanghai | Osaka | $520 – $840 | $970 – $1380 |
| Shenzhen | Osaka | $540 – $850 | $900 – $1300 |
| Ningbo | Osaka | $520 – $800 | $920 – $1370 |
Learn more: How Much Does it Cost to Ship from China to Japan
The transportation of goods from China to Japan varies depending on the method chosen. By choosing the right port and airport, avoiding peak hours, and cooperating with professional freight forwarders, you can effectively improve transportation efficiency and reduce overall costs.