Japan: sanctions and trade risk

No elevated indicator

As of 7 November 2026, the screened UN, EU, UK, Swiss and US sanctions lists contain 14 companies, organisations, vessels and aircraft linked to Japan.Lists last checked 2026-11-07 21:01 UTC.

Logistics profile: ports, airports, customs, documents, holidays, news ↓

No elevated country indicator for Japan in the route rules Sanctioni uses. That is not a clearance: goods may still be export-controlled, and parties in Japan may still be on a list.

Check a shipment to Japan →

On the sanctions lists

14 entries on the official lists name Japan — as nationality, address, registration or flag. That links them to the country; it says nothing about other companies there. The same company can appear on several lists and is then counted once per list. Individuals are not included — Sanctioni does not process them.

List	Entries	Companies & organisations	Vessels	Aircraft
US OFAC — Specially Designated Nationals (SDN)	14	14	—	—

Latest changes

No new listings or removals naming Japan recorded yet.

All updates →

All sanctioned countries compared by regime

Logistics profile

Japan: logistics and trade

Export-strong industrial nation / Pacific hub

Japan (JP) is a leading industrial and exporting nation and a key logistics hub in the western Pacific. As an island state it maintains no customs union but is deeply integrated into free-trade networks through CPTPP, RCEP and the Japan-EU EPA; an EPA with Switzerland has applied since 2009. Customs clearance runs electronically via NACCS, and import consumption tax is 10 percent (8 percent reduced for food). The main gateways are the container ports of Tokyo, Yokohama, Nagoya, Kobe and Osaka and the cargo airports Narita (NRT), Kansai (KIX) and Haneda (HND). Domestic transport relies on a dense motorway and rail network along the Tokyo-Nagoya-Osaka Pacific belt, while coastal shipping links the main islands. Typical goods are vehicles and parts, machinery, electronics and semiconductors; the main trading partners are China, the USA, ASEAN and the EU.

Capital: Tokyo
Population: 123,802,000
Area: 377,975 km²
Currency: Japanese yen (JPY)
Continent: Asia
Region: East Asia
Economic area: CPTPP / RCEP (no customs union)
Religions: Shinto, Buddhism, Christianity
Access to the sea: Yes

Transport modes Road · Rail

Current situation: As of 2026-07-18: Japan is strongly interconnected via CPTPP, RCEP and the Japan-EU EPA; free trade agreements cover a large part of trade. METI catch-all/Core-items export control tightened since October 2025. No nationwide disruption verified; seasonal typhoon risk June-October.
Seasonal conditions: Typhoon season roughly June to October (peak August/September) with possible port and flight delays; winter storms and snow on the Sea of Japan coast and in Hokkaido.

Main seaports

Tokyo Ko
Tokyo Ko (JP TYO): Japan's leading container port, ~4.7m TEU in 2024. Oi, Aomi and Daikoku terminals, reefer, RoRo, customs, Greater Tokyo hinterland.
Yokohama Ko
Yokohama Ko (JP YOK): ~3.08M TEU in 2024, highly efficient container terminals on Tokyo Bay, reefer, dangerous goods, customs, rail hinterland. Alt: Tokyo, Kawasaki.
Nagoya Ko
Nagoya (JP NGO): Japan's largest port by tonnage, 2.76M TEU in 2024, the country's top car-export gateway (Toyota), plus Ro-Ro, steel and dry bulk.
Kobe
Kobe (JP UKB): KICT expanded to 1,750 m quay Sept 2026, K Line & MOL at PC14-17; ~2.8M TEU/yr, 40% of intl containers. Hanshin/Kansai gateway.
Osaka
Osaka (JP OSA), Japan's 5th-largest container port: Jan–Apr 2026 +3.7% YoY, May 2026 −2.6%, Sakishima & Yumeshima terminals, Kansai hinterland.
Sendai-Shiogama
Sendai-Shiogama (JPSGM): Tohoku's container port and auto gateway, ~290,000 TEU and 300,000 vehicles a year. Alternatives: Tokyo, Yokohama.

Main cargo airports

Narita International AirportNRT
Narita (NRT/RJAA) near Tokyo handled about 1.95m tonnes of international air cargo in 2024. Freighter operators, terminals, customs and alternatives.
Tokyo Haneda International AirportHND
Tokyo Haneda (HND/RJTT) handled 705,064 tonnes of air cargo in 2024 via the TIACT terminal, with ANA Cargo, JAL Cargo and IAG Cargo; 15 km from central Tokyo.
Kansai International AirportKIX
Kansai International (KIX) Osaka: 1.6m tonnes of air cargo, FedEx hub, new Yamato freighter service since 2026, CEIV Pharma. Facts for forwarders.

Main trade lanes

Japan-China
Japan-USA
Japan-ASEAN
Japan-EU

Customs and import

Customs authority Japan Customs (Zeikan), Ministry of FinanceOfficial website ↗

Import customs system: Electronic clearance via NACCS of Japan Customs; over 90 percent of import procedures are digitized, declarations by registered users or customs brokers.
Export customs system: Export declaration also electronic via NACCS; advance declaration possible, processing by registered exporters and licensed customs brokers.
Import VAT: Consumption tax 10 percent standard rate, 8 percent reduced rate for food and non-alcoholic beverages; levied on customs value plus duty.
Proofs of origin and trade agreements: Preference proof per agreement: origin declaration or self-certification (CPTPP, RCEP, Japan-EU EPA) or certificate of origin. Japan-Switzerland EPA in force since 1.9.2009.
Restricted and prohibited goods: Prohibited or restricted: narcotics, weapons and ammunition, counterfeit products, certain plants, animals and foodstuffs (quarantine) as well as endangered species (CITES).

Typical import documents

Commercial invoice
Packing list
Bill of lading or air waybill
Import declaration via NACCS
if applicable, origin or preference proof

Typical export documents

Commercial invoice
Packing list
Export declaration via NACCS
Bill of lading or air waybill
if applicable, METI export licence

Logistics conditions

Customs complexity: Medium
Customs delays: Low
Port congestion: Medium
Dangerous goods relevance: High
Pharma and cold chain relevance: High
E-commerce relevance: High

Trade

Top import partners

China United States Australia South Korea Saudi Arabia

Top export partners

China United States South Korea Taiwan Hong Kong

Top import goods

Mineral oils
Electronic devices
Machinery
Food
Chemicals

Top export goods

Vehicles
Machinery
Electronics
Steel
Chemicals

Typical cargo

Vehicles and parts
Machinery
Electronics and semiconductors
Chemicals
Steel

Upcoming public holidays

Labor Thanksgiving DayMon, 23 Nov 2026 · businesses closed
New Year's DayFri, 1 Jan 2027 · businesses closed
Coming of Age DayMon, 11 Jan 2027 · businesses closed
National Foundation DayThu, 11 Feb 2027 · businesses closed
The Emperor's BirthdayTue, 23 Feb 2027 · businesses closed
Vernal Equinox DaySun, 21 Mar 2027 · businesses closed
Substitute HolidayMon, 22 Mar 2027 · businesses closed
Shōwa DayThu, 29 Apr 2027 · businesses closed

Latest logistics news

Tanker Rates Decline but Remain at Elevated Levels21 Oct 2026
According to Reuters, the tanker rate from the Gulf of Oman to China has declined. A planned USA-Japan route simultaneously demonstrates how expensive oil transportation can remain.
JAL and Nippon Express Launch New 747 Cargo Route USA–Asia10 Oct 2026
New 747F service connects Los Angeles, Narita, Taipei, and Singapore. Service launch scheduled for October 3, initially operating once weekly.
Port Disruptions in Asia Tie Up Around Three Million TEU Capacity29 Sept 2026
Delayed vessels effectively remove approximately three million TEU from the market. Importers must plan for greater buffer capacity.
Panama Canal Reduces Slots: Capacity Constraints Expected from September27 Aug 2026
Due to insufficient rainfall, the Panama Canal is reducing its daily slots. Ships without fixed reservations may face longer waiting periods starting in September.
Japan Requires Major Shippers to Appoint Logistics Chief: A Model for Europe Too?25 Aug 2026
Japan's major freight forwarders must address logistics problems at management level. The focus is on dock wait times, vehicle utilization, and unnecessary driver work.

Logistics questions

What is the import consumption tax in Japan?

The consumption tax is 10 percent as the standard rate and 8 percent reduced for food and non-alcoholic beverages. It is calculated on the customs value plus duty.

Through which system is customs clearance handled?

Clearance is handled electronically via NACCS (Nippon Automated Cargo and Port Consolidated System) of Japan Customs; over 90 percent of procedures are digitized.

Is there a free trade agreement between Switzerland and Japan?

Yes, the Japan-Switzerland EPA has been in force since 1. September 2009 and enables preferential tariffs with correct proof of origin.

Into which free trade networks is Japan integrated?

Japan is part of the CPTPP, RCEP and the Japan-EU EPA as well as numerous bilateral EPAs; free trade agreements cover a large part of external trade.

What should be observed regarding export control?

METI controls listed goods and catch-all goods under the Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Act (FEFTA). Since October 2025, stricter Core-items rules apply to sensitive technologies.

What are the most important ports and airports?

The main container ports are Tokyo, Yokohama, Nagoya, Kobe and Osaka. The largest air cargo hub is Narita (NRT), followed by Kansai (KIX) and Haneda (HND).

Which weather-related risks exist?

There is a typhoon season from about June to October, as well as earthquake and tsunami risks. Japan, however, has robust disaster management.

Which goods are restricted for import or export?

Restricted or prohibited are, among others, narcotics, weapons, counterfeit products, and plants, animals and foodstuffs subject to quarantine; CITES species require permits.

Full logistics profile on Freight Academy ↗