Cheapest way to ship from China to Japan

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shipping from china to japan

What’s the cheapest way to ship to Japan?

In international transportation, the cost of transportation is often a problem for many enterprises. How can the cost of transportation be effectively reduced? First, we need to understand the factors related to transportation costs, such as the weight, transportation time, and the nature of goods. This is to help you find the transportation mode that meets your needs faster. We have ranked the various modes of transportation according to their transportation time, price, and so on.

Transportation ModeTransit TimeEstimated Cost
FCL (Full Container Load)1 to 2 weeks$2,500-$3,500 for a 20-foot container
LCL (Less than Container Load)1 to 2 weeks$30-$40 per cubic meter
Express Shipping1 to 5 daysStarts from $4 per kilogram
Air Freight1 to 3 days$4.5 per kilogram

Key factors to consider

Cargo type and weight: Heavier or bulkier cargoes are usually shipped by sea freight, while air and express freight are more expensive. For lighter goods, express may be more cost-effective.

Timeliness of transportation: Sea Freight is cheaper if time is not of the essence. Standard Express and Air Freight may be more appropriate if a quick arrival is required, although prices will be slightly higher.

Destination and customs clearance requirements: Different modes of transportation may have different customs clearance procedures. Sea Freight may require additional customs clearance fees, while express services usually already include them.

Best Practices for Shipping to Japan

Know the shipping costs in advance

With hongocean freight forwarding, you can work with multiple shipping companies and take advantage of their pre-negotiated preferential rates. These discounted prices can help you significantly reduce international shipping costs, especially for businesses, which can dramatically reduce overall shipping costs, bringing considerable economic benefits to your business.

You may want to know: Sea & Air Freight Rates for Shipping from China to Japan

Plan around national holidays

When arranging urgent packages, please consider the impact of public holidays on shipping. For example, public holidays such as Christmas and New Year’s Day may cause shipping delays. Making plans and avoiding holiday peaks can help avoid unnecessary delays.

Accuracy of customs documents

When shipping to Japan or other countries, ensure customs documents are filled out accurately. This includes essential information such as the value of the goods, description of the goods, and country of origin. Any errors or omissions on customs forms may result in customs clearance delays or additional fees. Preparing and ensuring all documents are in order can help avoid unnecessary trouble.

Choosing the best freight forwarder

Choosing an experienced freight forwarder is crucial to ensuring a smooth shipping process. A professional freight forwarder can help you with customs clearance and recommend the most suitable shipping method based on the type of goods and shipping needs. In addition, the freight forwarder can also help you save shipping costs by choosing the right shipping route, container type, etc.

You may want to know: How to Choose Best Freight Forwarder China to US

Understand the Japan port situation

Major ports in Japan include Tokyo, Yokohama, Osaka, Kobe, Nagoya, and Fukuoka. Knowing these ports’ loading and unloading capacity and potential congestion will help you make more informed shipping decisions. If congestion is a problem at one port, you can choose another port or arrange a different shipping route.

Prepare the required documents

In international freight transport, ensuring that you have all the necessary export and import documents is crucial. Common documents include

These documents not only form the basis for legal customs clearance but also help ensure the safety and insurance coverage of the goods.

You may want to know: What documents do I need for international shipping?

How to calculate shipping costs

Before calculating shipping costs, you usually need to consider the following factors:

  • Cargo weight: Calculated based on the actual weight (Gross Weight) or the volumetric weight (Volumetric Weight, commonly used formula is length × width × height ÷ 5000 or 6000), whichever is greater.
  • Cargo volume: Large items may be charged by volume.
  • Type of goods: The shipping cost will be affected by whether the goods are dangerous, refrigerated, or other special items.
  • Value of goods: High-value goods may require additional insurance.

Shipping Method

Sea Freight:

  • Suitable for large quantities of goods with lower time requirements.
  • The cost includes basic shipping fees, port fees, fuel surcharges, etc.

Air Freight:

  • Suitable for small quantities and time-sensitive goods.
  • Charged by volume weight, with higher surcharges.

International express delivery

Suitable for small items such as DHL, FedEx, UPS, etc.

Origin and destination

  • Distance: Long-distance transport is more expensive.
  • Trade agreements: Some countries have preferential tariff or freight policies.

Customs clearance fees

  • Import duties: Determined based on the declared value of the goods, the tax rate and the type of goods.
  • Customs handling fees include fees for services such as customs clearance and documentation.

Additional fees

  • Fuel surcharge (FSC)
  • War zone surcharge (WSC)
  • Peak season surcharge (PSS)
  • Route-specific surcharges (e.g. Panama Canal fee)

Insurance costs

  • Insuring high-value goods to transfer unforeseen risks during transport to the insurance company is advisable, thus maximising economic benefits. The cost is usually calculated as a percentage (e.g., 0.2%- 0.5%) of the declared value of the goods.

You may want to know: Comprehensive guide to cargo insurance basics

Example of the calculation formula

Air Freight:

  • Total cost = [chargeable weight of goods × unit freight rate] + fuel surcharge + other fees + customs clearance fees + insurance costs.

Sea Freight:

  • Total cost = basic freight + port charges + destination charges + customs clearance fees + insurance costs.

The main factors affecting shipping costs are

Mode of transportation

The mode of transportation is a key factor influencing the cost of international transport. Different modes of transportation (Sea Freight, Air Freight, Railway, Land) have different cost structures:

Sea Freight: relatively cheaper, suitable for bulk commodities and large quantities of goods, but slower and longer transportation time.

Air Freight: fast, but with high freight costs, suitable for urgent shipments or high-value, lightweight goods.

Distance

Transportation distance directly affects transportation costs. Typically, the greater the distance, the higher the costs. These include the actual transportation time and expenses, dwell time at transit points, and logistics management costs.

Cargo weight and volume

Transportation costs are usually directly related to the weight and volume of goods. Heavier and bulkier shipments require more space and more transportation force, resulting in higher transportation costs. Airlines and shipping lines usually determine costs based on the volumetric weight of the shipment, which is the heavier of the volumetric weight or the actual weight.

Types of goods

Certain types of goods may require special handling, increasing costs. For example, perishable, hazardous, and valuable goods require special packaging, storage, and transportation equipment, which can increase transportation costs. Transportation costs can significantly improve for goods requiring temperature control, humidity control, or other special needs.

Seasonality and market demand

Fluctuations in transportation demand can affect freight rates, especially during holidays, peak seasons, or tight global supply chains. For example, during peak periods of international trade (e.g., around Christmas or during the Chinese New Year), increased demand for transportation can lead to higher freight rates. On the contrary, during low seasons, when demand for transportation is lower, costs are usually cheaper.

Customs duties and import taxes

Cross-border transportation often involves going through customs and may require payment of customs duties and other related taxes, which will directly impact transportation costs. In addition, differences in tariff policies and rates in different countries may also affect overall transportation costs.

You may want to know: What is customs duties: What They Mean and Why They Matter

Risks and Insurance

Risks such as accidents, loss, or damage that may occur during transportation can also affect shipping costs. To reduce risk, many companies purchase transportation insurance for their shipments, the cost of which can increase transportation costs.

Fuel Prices

Fuel costs directly impact transportation costs, especially air and Sea Freight. Fluctuations in fuel prices can cause transportation companies to adjust freight rates in response to increased costs.

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