Low-Cost Shipping Solutions from Canada to Japan
Having an efficient parcel delivery from Vancouver, Montreal, Toronto and the rest of Canada to Japan helps connect the two economies. Japan is strong in electronics and manufacturing and has a need for Canada’s goods, including oil and gas, agri-business, and seafood. Jet Worldwide offers low-cost parcel shipping to Japan with the option for duty-free clearance under the CPTPP.
What is the cheapest way to send a package to Japan?
Canada Post surface shipping options provide the cheapest way for individuals to send a package to Japan.
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What is the cost to ship to Japan?
The cost to ship to Japan depends on the size and weight of your package. The cost can be as low as around $29 for a 2 pound / 1 kilogram package via Canada Post surface. The cost to ship a 10 pound package can average around $180. The final cost depends on the carrier, discount level, fuel cost and final address in Japan.
There are several shipping options available for sending goods from Canada to Japan. The best option for you will depend on your specific needs and preferences, such as the type and size of the goods you are shipping, the speed of delivery you require, and your budget. Here are some common shipping options that you might consider:
- Air freight: This is the fastest shipping option with a door to door option.
- Ocean freight: For large commercial orders and shipping a full container loads (FCL) with several months lead time.
- Couriers: Courier companies, such as FedEx, DHL, and UPS are well known options
- Postal services: Canada Post is generally the best option for sending personal items to Japan.
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In this Shipping Guide to Japan, we explore key concepts to understand when shipping international to Japan.
- Shipping online high-volume orders direct to Japan
- Contact and Rate Request form (see below)
- Shipping ocean versus air to Japan
- Carrier options for shipping to Japan from Canada and
- Understanding shipping terms delivery duty paid or unpaid to Japan
- CERS B13-A Canadian export declaration
- Japan customs processes and clearance notes for importing to Canada
- Shipping shopify e-commerce orders direct to Japan from Canada
- Shipping Canadian text books to international schools in Japan
- Duty-free clearance to Japan for Canada-origin goods under the CPTPP
- Duty-free import to Canada under the CPTPP
- Carrier options for shipping to Canada from Japan
- Canadian import processes for consignments from Japan
- Shipping personal effects between Canada and Japan
Jet Canada provides low-cost economy shipping from Canada to Tokyo, Yokohama, Osaka, Nagoya and across Japan. Send your parcels from Canada for delivery to Japan within a week for a low cost and incredible customer support.
Shipping Air versus Ocean to Japan
The best shipping option to Canada depends on several factors. In general, the lowest cost for small personal packages to Japan is via Canada Post surface options.
For heavier shipments, economy air freight is often the best option. And less than container load is best with shipping pallet freight and large commercial orders.
Useful information: Things to know about Ocean Shipping To and From Canada.
LCL cargo to Japan
Less than container load - LCL - is a service that shares space in a container with different consignment. It requires and additional transit time to account for loading and de-consolidation.
FCL ocean cargo to Japan
Full container loads - FCL - can ship either via a 20 or 40 foot container. This is the fastest way to ship via ocean.
Shipping terms to consider when shipping to Japan
The default option for shipping internationally from Canada is Delivery Duty Unpaid (DDU). Common carriers use the term Ex Works (EXW) which essentially assigns import costs (duty, taxes and other fees) to the receiver/importer. Shippers from Canada can choose to pay the import fees on behalf of the receiver via a Delivery Duty Paid (DDP) options that many carriers offer. Read More: IncoTerms and shipping terms for packages and online orders.
The disadvantage of paying import fees on behalf of the receiver is that the bulk of the import fees are often from a value add tax that the importing business may otherwise be able to claim back.
Shipping Japan from Canada via Canada Post
Canada Post offers the lowest-cost delivery for individuals shipping non urgent small parcels to Japan. Canada Post parcels import with delivery via Japan Post.
Canada Post Parcel Delivery Services from Canada to Japan include:
- Canada Post Small Packet delivery to Japan: Surface, Air and "Track Packet"
- Canada Post International Surface to Japan: Parcel delivery in 2-3 weeks
- Canada Post "Xpresspost" to Japan: Delivery in 5 business days
Collection of duty for items sent by Parcel Post from Canada to Japan: Duty payment for parcels is most often via Cash on Delivery to recoup the payment of duty. For duty amounts over JPY 10,000 (but less than JPY 300,000), payment is usually necessary prior to delivery.
Parcel Shipping to Japan via UPS and FedEx
FedEx and UPS - along with DHL - provide reliable express delivery to Japan from Canada and North America (they are North America's largest carriers).
FedEx and UPS Canada parcel delivery options to Japan include:
- Priority express air shipping to Japan
- Economy air shipping to Japan
Delivery to Japan from Canada, USA and North America via Jet Worldwide
Jet Worldwide: A strong brand offering international shipping for over 40 years!- Options for shipping to Japan for parcels, pallets, e-commerce, with transparency and world class logistics support.
- Get A shipping rate to Japan
Parcel Canada shipping to Japan via Purolator Canada
Purolator is a leading domestic carrier in Canada and provides reliable courier delivery service to Japan from their postal locations in Canada. For delivery to Japan, Purolator Canada uses partner carriers such as UPS.
How to Get Lower International shipping costs to Japan?
Use a shipping cost calculator to compare rates from different carriers.
- Consider surface options via Canada Post.
- Ship smaller packages to reduce the volume weight. Read about chargeable weight.
- If you are shipping a large volume of packages, you may be able to negotiate a discount directly with the carriers.
- Consider using a third-party shipping service that can provide both savings and - more important - logistics support.
- Check to see if your goods quality for duty free import. Read more about the CPTPP Free Trade Agreement.
- Consider using ocean transportation instead of air shipping for large commercial orders.
Export declaration from Canada to Japan
An export declaration is necessary if your shipment to Japan if over $2,000 CAD (or contains goods with restrictions). Read more about CERS Canadian export declarations.
Clearance for parcels from Canada to Japan
As for all international shipments, it is important to include details customs invoice and supporting documents to ensure proper customs declaration.
Importing Goods to Japan from Canada
- Confirm if the goods you are shipping require an an import license to Japan.
- Applicable duties and taxes on imports depend on the classification of goods (read more about HS Codes), the value of the shipment and country of origin.
- Discuss the potential import fees the consignee/ receiver may have to pay
- Necessary documents include a commercial invoice (read more about a commercial invoice for customs clearance).
It is important to verify compliance with the consignee/ importer and regulatory authorities prior to shipping to Japan from Canada.
Useful information: Shipping from Canada versus Canadian origin Goods.
Import restrictions and other notes on sending parcels to Japan from Canada
For goods sent by international courier services, a customs broker clears the goods through customs for you and advances the duty payments such as customs duty to deliver the goods to you. Payment is made either via Cash on Delivery or on account.
Note: Jet can provide DDP service to Japan to enable Canadian shippers to pay the import fees on behalf of the receiver.
Simple tariff and duty system for personal effects and small packages
A simpler tariff system is available for low-value parcels less than JPY 200,000 (approximately CAD 2,500). This system eliminates the need to classify the product with an HS Code and minimizes customs broker charges. Importers can choose either the normal rate or the simple tariff. The simpler classification can be higher or lower depending on the product.
The following are examples from this Schedule.
Alcoholic Beverages including Wine: JPY 70/L, some alcoholic beverages: JPY 20, sake, Some of other alcoholic beverages: JPY 30 / 30
Article of apparel, etc.: 20%, Tableware, Furniture, Toys, Games, etc.: 3%, Rubber, Paper, etc.: Free, Other Products: 5%. These duty rates do not include consumption tax and other internal taxes.
Three primary types of import declaration for parcels that import to Japan from Canada:
- Manifest Clearance is available if the CIF value is less than or equal to JPY 10,000 (unless the commodity is with restrictions)
- Low-Value Declaration is available if the CIF value is less than or equal to JPY 200,999, including commodities with restrictions.
- High-Value Declaration is necessary if the CIF value is more than JPY 201,000.
CIF Value: Most customs authorities - including Japan Customs clearance for parcels - base their calculations on the "CIF" Value. The CIF value includes the COST (value of the item), INSURANCE, and FREIGHT (shipping cost).
Items with Restrictions to Japan: The list of items with restrictions to Japan is common to most other destinations. Restrictions include such items as perishables, drugs, weapons, and contraband.
Shipping wine from Canada to Japan
There are two basic type of imports to consider when shipping Canadian wine to Japan: commercial and personal. The requirements for customs includes declaring the alcohol content and if the wine is sparkling or not.
Canadian ice wine can qualify for Canada-origin duty-free status for shipping to Japan.
For information on shipping wine to Japan from Canada, contact our team.
Canada parcel shipping on-line shipping alternative to Japan
Major Canadian e-commerce sellers can benefit from Jet's high-volume parcel import processes to Japan.
Jet’s e-commerce empowers Canadian retailers to scale their international sales fulfilling orders locally with direct shipping to major international markets. Japan is a huge opportunity!
CPTPP duty-free clearance of goods to Japan from Canada
The Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) is a free trade agreement that Canada shares with Japan. The agreement reduces barriers to trade and provides preferential duty free import between each other.
Goods with proper ''proof of origin'' supporting paperwork can import duty free in Japan.
Simply purchasing in Canada or Japan does qualify goods for preferential duty free import. SEE OUR BLOG ON DUTY FREE IMPORT VIA CPTPP
Proof of origin CPTPP To Japan
The key part of all trade agreements is ensuring the goods qualify under the rules of origin. Many incorrectly assume that if goods are sent from a qualifying country, they should qualify for duty-free status. Country of origin is only from where goods ship from.
The country of origin rules can still be complex. The guidelines for country of origin qualification include:
- Goods are originating if they are in whole obtained in a CPTPP country.
- Goods are originating if they are a product of a CPTPP country of entirely from originating materials
- Goods are originating if they are product of a CPTPP country from non-originating materials. The product must meet product-specific rules of origin. The value of the non-originating parts of the product can be dutiable.
Duty-free import for parcels sent from Canada to Japan under the CPTPP
The amazing part of CPTPP is that consignments less than USD 1000 (equivalent in local currency) do not require a separate certification of origin to claim preferential tariff treatment. Read about Canada's Free Trade Agreements.
- Parcels containing products under USD 1000 (equivalent in local currency) can import duty-free. The conditions include of preferential duty rates include:
- A statement with signature by the importer, exporter or producer certifying that the goods originate from a CPTPP country
- This statement can be part of the commercial invoice. We recommend adding an additional stand-alone statement/supporting document.
- The goods must meet the origin rules.
It is important to understand that CPTPP applies to duty assessments but not taxes. All goods - even if duty free - are subject to Japan's consumption tax of 10%.
CPTPP duty-free shipping to Japan: What information is necessary?
In order to claim the preferential tariff treatment to under the CPTPP, a set a data elements is mandatory. The ‘certification origin’ must from the exporter, producer or importer of the goods. It can be part of information of commercial Invoice. We recommend including it on a separate document. The data elements do not have to follow a specific format. The minimum data elements are below.
- Indicate the Certifier (Importer, Exporter or Producer)
- Name, Address and Contact Information of the Certifier
- Name, Address and Contact Information of the Exporter (if different from the certifier)
- Name, Address and Contact Information of the Producer (if different from the certifier, or exporter)
- Name, Address and Contact Information of the Importer
- Description and HS Tariff Classification for the Goods
- Origin Criterion for the Goods
- Blanket Period
- Authorized Signature and Date
In addition, the imported goods must originate and be exported from a CPTPP ratified country.
Note: The certification of origin must be with a signature and date by the Certifier.
For full details regarding the minimum data requirements for the certification of origin, please refer to Annex 3-B of the CPTPP agreement.
Simplified origin statement for shipping Canada from Japan
The value for duty for which the proof of origin / certificate of origin is not required is up to CAD 3,300.
For imports not exceeding CAD 3,300 to Canada, there is not a requirement for proof of origin. The requirement on the importer to maintain records (for example, commercial invoice and B3) applies to all imports.
Shipping Canadian Text books Between Canada and Japan
There are several Canadian international schools in Japan that offer a Canadian-based curriculum for students. There are schools located in Kobe, Yokohama and Tokyo. Verify a new solution to receive, consolidate and ship orders direct to Japan.
Read More:Shipping Canadian text books and supplies to Japan.
Shipping e-commerce orders to Japan
With Jet Worldwide, Canadian retailers can send their e-commerce orders direct to Japan for efficient clearance and low-cost last-mile delivery. Jet Worldwide provides both postal and commercial clearance options for higher-volume parcel imports shipped directly to Japan.
Shopify integration to Japan: Integrate your Canadian online shipping platform with our Japanese labeling and tracking services.
Grow your e-commerce orders to Japan with our direct shipping, efficient clearance and low-cost delivery solutions.
Shipping parcels and pallets from Japan to Canada
Japanese Carrier Options to Canada: The main options for shipping to Canada from Japan include Japan Post, FedEx, UPS and DHL. Japan post is the best option for individuals shipping personal items but postal shipping from Japan to Canada has been restrictive lately. Get a shipping rate to import a package to Canada from Japan
Importing Shipments from Japan to Canada
Goods that import to Canada from Japan are subject to duty, taxes and import fees. Goods of Japanese origin can benefit from CPTPP preferential duty free import (see note above on CPTPP). Consignments under $3,300 CAD benefit further from simpler origin declaration requirements.
Shipping Personal Effects between Japan and Canada
We get many requests for shipping personal effects between Japan and Canada, our common recommendations include:
Paying excess baggage fees are almost always less expensive than shipping goods separately and clearance of accompanying goods is much simpler and immediate. Best to contact a moving specialist who can provide ocean shipping and packaging options.
Jet Worldwide shipping options of personal effects between Japan and Canada are best for smaller shipments up to around 100 kg. Contact our team for details
Jet Worldwide makes it easy for companies seeking for spot quotes for economy air shipping between Canada and Japan.
