Air Freight Japan
LOGISTICS SUPPORT
Ludmila
Freight Forwarding Specialist
AIR FREIGHT SOLUTIONS
Air Freight Japan - Fast Import and Export Cargo
GreenLine Global runs air freight Japan services in both directions, with a clear focus on Japan-USA air cargo. We move consolidated, express, charter, and dangerous goods shipments through Narita (NRT), Haneda (HND), Kansai (KIX), and Chubu Centrair (NGO). Our brokers file with Japan Customs via NACCS and with US CBP on the American side. Explore our full air freight services or our dedicated air freight USA page.
On the US side we connect Japan with Los Angeles (LAX), New York JFK, Chicago O’Hare (ORD), San Francisco (SFO), and the Anchorage (ANC) freighter hub. Choose airport-to-airport or full door-to-door service with customs clearance at both ends. GreenLine has handled US-linked cargo from Seattle since 2008 under TSA-compliant security. Every quote is transparent and itemised, with no hidden charges. Heavier, less urgent cargo can switch to ocean freight to Japan.
How it works
Your Air Shipment To and From Japan - From Quote to Delivery
GreenLine manages every leg of your Japan air cargo from one point of contact. We book space, prepare the paperwork, and file advance data with Japan Customs or US CBP before the flight. You get one itemised invoice and one tracking view, whichever direction your cargo flies.
Quote, Route & Book
Send pickup and delivery points, weights, dimensions, and HS codes. We reply within 24 hours with an itemised quote for consolidated and express options. We compare chargeable weight, airline, and gateway to find the best Japan-USA routing.
Collect, Screen & Document
We collect, label, and security-screen your cargo. We issue the air waybill, packing list, and commercial invoice. Advance data goes to NACCS for Japan imports and to CBP ACAS for US imports. US exports get EEI filing in AES where required.
Fly the Transpacific & Track
Cargo flies the transpacific on direct passenger bellies or freighters, some via Anchorage. You see live milestones from departure to arrival. We alert you early about offloads, missed connections, or customs holds.
Clear Japan Customs or US CBP and Deliver Door-to-Door
Our brokers lodge the import declaration with Japan Customs or the entry with US Customs and Border Protection. We pay duties, Japanese consumption tax, or US fees on your behalf. Then we deliver to any address in Japan or any of the 50 US states.
Our air freight services to and from Japan
Air Cargo Japan - Every Speed, Every Cargo Type
No two Japan shipments are identical. A machine spare for a US plant needs a different service than a pallet of cosmetics for Osaka. GreenLine matches the service to your cargo, deadline, and budget on every Japan-USA booking.
General Air Cargo
Consolidated · Back-to-back · 2-4 days
Our core Japan-USA air freight service. We consolidate palletised and loose cargo on scheduled flights. It suits B2B shipments that can spare a few days.
Express & Priority
Next flight out · 1-3 days
Guaranteed space on the next suitable flight from NRT, HND, KIX, or NGO. Built for line-down parts, launches, and urgent samples.
Air Charter
Full & part charter · Main deck
Full or part freighter charters between Japan and the USA. Use them when volume, timing, or size rules out scheduled space.
Dangerous Goods by Air
IATA DGR · Classes 2-9 · Lithium batteries
We classify, pack, label, and declare hazmat under IATA DGR. That includes lithium batteries, chemicals, and cargo-aircraft-only goods.
Pharma & Temperature-Controlled
+2-8°C · +15-25°C · Active & passive
Cold-chain air freight for medicines, biologics, and clinical supplies. We book active containers or passive packaging with temperature loggers.
Oversized & Project Air Cargo
Main deck · Heavy-lift · Door-to-door
Main-deck freighter space for machinery and outsized parts. See our project cargo team for multi-modal moves.
Japan & US airport operations, customs & delivery
From Japanese Gateway to US Door - and Back Again
The Japan-USA air lane runs through a small set of high-capacity gateways on each side. Japanese carriers such as JAL and ANA, which now owns Nippon Cargo Airlines, run freighters from Narita to Chicago, Los Angeles, and Dallas. US and partner carriers add daily belly space.
Primary gateway airports
Japan: Narita (NRT), Japan's largest cargo airport, plus Haneda (HND), Kansai (KIX), and Chubu Centrair (NGO).
USA: Los Angeles (LAX), New York JFK, Chicago O'Hare (ORD), San Francisco (SFO), Dallas (DFW), and the Anchorage (ANC) transpacific freighter hub.
Customs clearance in both directions
Into Japan, our partner broker lodges the import declaration with Japan Customs through NACCS. Into the USA, a licensed broker files the CBP entry under your customs bond. We also clear partner-agency holds from FDA, USDA, or Japan's MHLW and MAFF.
First-mile & last-mile delivery
We collect from factories in Kanto, Kansai, and Chubu, and deliver across Japan. In the USA we reach all 50 states. Need storage near LAX? Use our Los Angeles / Long Beach warehousing.
Compliance & import / export rules
Requirements for Shipping Air Cargo To and From Japan
Japan and the USA each run their own advance data, tax, and agency rules. A missing field can hold your cargo at the airport. GreenLine checks every requirement before the flight, in both directions.
Import · Air freight to Japan
Advance Cargo Information (NACCS)
Carriers must send air cargo data to Japan Customs via NACCS at least 3 hours before arrival. Shipper, consignee, and goods descriptions must be exact.
Import Declaration & HS Code
A licensed broker files the declaration with the Japanese 9-digit statistical code. Duty is assessed on the CIF value, including airfreight.
Duty & Consumption Tax
Many industrial goods enter duty-free. Imports pay 10% consumption tax, or 8% for most food. US-origin goods may qualify under the US-Japan Trade Agreement.
Food, Plant & Animal Controls
Food needs an import notification to MHLW quarantine stations. Plants and animal products clear MAFF plant protection and animal quarantine.
Product Approvals (PMD Act, PSE, Giteki)
Medicines, devices, and cosmetics fall under the PMD Act. Electrical goods may need a PSE mark. Radio equipment needs Giteki certification.
Low-Value Imports
Consumer parcels under JPY 10,000 are currently exempt from import consumption tax. Japan plans to withdraw this exemption from April 2028.
Japan-USA lane · Air freight from Japan to the USA (and US exports)
CBP ACAS & Customs Entry
Air waybill data goes to CBP under ACAS before loading in Japan. Formal entries over USD 2,500 need a customs bond.
US Tariffs on Japanese Goods
Since 24 July 2026, most goods pay a combined MFN and Section 301 rate of 12.5%. Autos and parts pay 15% under Section 232.
De Minimis Suspended
CBP suspended the USD 800 de minimis exemption for non-postal shipments on 24 June 2026. Low-value air cargo now needs an entry and pays duty.
FDA, USDA & FCC Rules
Food by air needs FDA Prior Notice at least 4 hours before arrival. Plant and animal goods face USDA APHIS checks. Electronics must meet FCC rules.
Export Filings (AES & NACCS)
US exports over USD 2,500 per Schedule B line need EEI in AES. Japanese exports need a NACCS export declaration, plus a METI licence for controlled items.
Air Cargo Security & DG
US-linked cargo follows TSA screening rules. Japan runs a Known Shipper / Regulated Agent regime. Hazmat needs an IATA Shipper's Declaration.
Rules and tariff rates checked October 2026. They change often - confirm your HS code with our team before booking.
What we move
Cargo Types & Air Freight Specialisms To and From Japan
Japan-USA air cargo is dominated by high-value, time-critical goods. GreenLine ships standard and specialist cargo, and checks Japan Customs and CBP rules for each type before booking.
Semiconductors & Electronics
Chips, components, and semiconductor equipment parts move with high-value security and ESD-safe packing. We check FCC and export-control status first.
Auto Parts & Machinery Spares
Line-down parts for US plants fly express from Chubu and Kanto. We flag Section 232 auto-parts duty before booking.
Dangerous Goods & Lithium Batteries
Batteries, aerosols, and chemicals travel under IATA DGR. Some must fly cargo aircraft only, so we book freighter space.
Pharma & Medical Devices
Cold-chain cargo with logger data end to end. Imports into Japan need PMD Act approval; US imports need FDA clearance.
E-Commerce & Retail Wholesale
Cosmetics, apparel, and collectibles in consolidated loads. With US de minimis suspended, we file proper entries for every parcel batch.
Perishables & Food
Seafood, premium produce, and specialty foods fly chilled. We file FDA Prior Notice or MHLW notifications before departure.
Project & Oversized Air Cargo
Main-deck loads and heavy units on freighters or charters. Our machinery shipping team plans lifting and site delivery.
Scroll to see all cargo types →
Origin & destination corridors
Where We Fly To Japan and From Japan
The Japan-USA lane is our busiest Japan corridor, with daily capacity in both directions. We also run established lanes to and from Europe and Asia. Pick your corridor or send us your route.
Japan-USA air lanes at a glance
| Lane | Direct flying time (approx.) | Consolidated, airport to airport | Door to door |
|---|---|---|---|
| NRT / HND / KIX to LAX / SFO | ~10 hours | 2-4 days | 4-7 business days |
| NRT / HND to ORD / DFW | ~12 hours (freighters may stop in ANC) | 2-4 days | 4-7 business days |
| NRT / HND to JFK | ~13 hours | 2-4 days | 4-7 business days |
| LAX / JFK / ORD / SFO to NRT / HND / KIX / NGO | ~11-14 hours westbound | 2-4 days | 4-7 business days |
Air freight to Japan - where we ship from
Air freight from Japan - where we deliver
Not seeing your route? GreenLine ships to and from Japan from over 40 countries across 4 continents. Contact us with your origin and destination. Transit times are typical ranges, not guarantees.
Industries we serve
Air Freight Japan Across Every Sector
Each sector meets different agencies on the Japan-USA lane. GreenLine brings that sector knowledge to every booking, so approvals are ready before the cargo lands.
Credentials & compliance
Operating to the Highest Japan-USA Air Freight Standards Since 2008
