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 Hiro

The Port of Hiro is a Japanese maritime port located in Kure, Hiroshima Prefecture, along the Seto Inland Sea. It supports regional cargo movement and industrial activity, handling general cargo, bulk materials, and coastal shipping services. Its location near Hiroshima’s manufacturing and maritime industries makes it an important local port for domestic trade and short-sea transport.

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 Shimizu

The Port of Shimizu is one of Japan’s important commercial ports, located in Shizuoka Prefecture near Mount Fuji and Suruga Bay. It supports regional manufacturing and international trade, handling containers, automobiles, machinery, forest products, and general cargo. The port also serves as a gateway for central Japan, with connections to major industrial areas and global shipping routes.

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.