Shipping from Japan to the UK

Japan is a major competitor in the international trade of electronic circuits among Asian countries, ranking among the top exporters of autos and automotive components and accessories. The UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement was signed on September 11th, 2020. The Japan pact with the UK enhanced trade between the two nations. What are the ways of shipping from Japan to the UK?

Shipping from Japan to the UK 

Sea freight from Japan to the UK

If cost is more important than transit time, maritime transport is the optimal option. It is best for things that need to be shipped in containers. Due to its comparatively low cost and high capacity, maritime transport is the most commonly selected mode of transport in international trade.

When choosing sea freight, you must choose between FCL and LCL modes:

• FCL (Full Container Load) means that one shipper books one container. It is an option for large loads that take up a lot of space.
• LCL (Less Container Load) refers to the practice of sharing a container with other importers/exporters. This option is more advantageous for shipping goods in smaller quantities.

How long does sea shipping from Japan to the UK take?

Historically, container ships sailed from Japan to Europe via the Suez Canal, and port-to-port time to Southampton ran around 38 to 40 days. Since late 2023, however, the crisis in the Red Sea has pushed most carriers to reroute around the Cape of Good Hope, which adds roughly 10 to 14 days to the voyage.

As a result, port-to-port transit from a major Japanese port such as Tokyo or Yokohama to the UK now typically runs around 45 to 55 days, and often involves transshipment at a hub port such as Singapore, especially for LCL cargo. Always confirm the current sailing schedule with your forwarder, since routing remains volatile.

Main cargo seaports in Japan

• Port of Nagoya Aichi (Japan’s busiest port)
• Port of Chiba (Japan’s second busiest cargo port)
• Port of Tokyo
• Port of Yokohama
• Port of Kobe

See our overview of the top seaports in Japan.

Main cargo seaports in the UK

• Port of Felixstowe
• Port of Southampton
• Port of London
• Port of Immingham

Air freight from Japan to the UK

Compared to other types of transportation, air travel is relatively expensive. However, in some circumstances, it is the best option. To begin with, it is appropriate for shipping commodities with a short expiration date, such as food or flowers, as well as other time-sensitive goods, like drugs. Because it is the safest mode of transportation, airfreight is regularly used to move diamonds, vehicles, and other valuable products. Remember that its safety and speed come at a high cost. So, weighing all the pros and cons is necessary before making a final decision.

Airfreight is the quickest and most expensive method of transporting goods from Japan to the United Kingdom. It may not be considerably more expensive than sea freight if the cargo does not weigh more than 100kg. This method works best for smaller shipments. It is also widely considered the safest option, making it a good choice for fragile goods.

How long does air freight from Japan to the UK take?

Air freight from Japan to the UK usually takes about 3 to 8 days, depending on the service and whether the shipment is consolidated. The main cargo airports on the route:

Main cargo airports in Japan

• Narita International Airport (busiest airport in Japan in terms of international cargo traffic)
• Tokyo Haneda Airport
• Kansai International Airport

Main cargo airports in the UK

• London Heathrow Airport
• East Midlands Airport
• Manchester Airport

Combined and multimodal options

Beyond pure sea and air, multimodal transport combines several modes to balance speed and cost. A common approach is sea-air, where cargo moves by ocean to a transit hub and then flies onward, arriving faster than pure ocean freight while costing less than end-to-end air.

You may still see references to Eurasian rail land bridges that carry Asian cargo overland to Europe. It is worth knowing that the traditional rail corridors run through Russia and Belarus, and since 2022 sanctions and border restrictions have heavily disrupted those routes for UK and EU-bound freight. If a multimodal solution interests you, confirm the current routing and availability with your forwarder rather than relying on older route descriptions.

How much does shipping from the UK to Japan cost?

As mentioned before, costs highly depend on the chosen method of transportation and type of cargo. The easiest way to evaluate your specific type of cargo cost is by filling out a form on ShipHub. After sending the request, you will receive offers from various verified freight forwarders, from which you can select the one that suits your requirements the most. Get a free quote for shipping from Japan to the UK.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

How long does sea freight from Japan to the UK take?

Port-to-port sea freight from Japan to the UK currently takes around 45 to 55 days. Transit times increased because most carriers now route around the Cape of Good Hope instead of the Suez Canal, adding roughly 10 to 14 days to the voyage.

How long does air freight from Japan to the UK take?

Air freight from Japan to the UK usually takes about 3 to 8 days, depending on the service and whether the cargo is consolidated. It is the fastest option, though the most expensive per kilogram.

Which is cheaper: sea or air freight from Japan to the UK?

Sea freight is cheaper, especially for large or heavy shipments. Air freight is priced by chargeable weight and becomes expensive for bigger loads, though for small, light shipments the difference can be smaller than expected.

What are the main ports for shipping from Japan to the UK?

On the Japanese side, the main container ports are Tokyo, Yokohama, and Nagoya. In the UK, the leading arrival ports are Felixstowe, Southampton, and London Gateway.