International Shipping
from the UK to Japan
What are you moving?
International Shipping to Japan
Shipping to Japan combines long distance with detailed customs and quarantine requirements, and it is a route we know well. Whether you are sending a few boxes, a full container of furniture or a vehicle, we manage the whole journey from your UK doorstep to your Japanese address. We ship by sea freight and air freight, with door to door collection and delivery, full customs handling and fixed pricing confirmed before you book.
We also handle shipping from Japan back to the UK. Anglo Pacific has moved belongings between the two countries for over 40 years, with more than 20,000 consignments handled every year, door to door in both directions.
How Much Does Shipping to Japan Cost
The cost of shipping to Japan from the UK depends on three things: the volume of your shipment, the shipping method you choose and your delivery address. We charge by the size of your shipment, not by weight at check-in, so you know the full price before booking.
- Single 23kg suitcase by sea freight: from around £180 door to door.
- Single 23kg suitcase by air freight: from around £320 door to door.
- Three to five boxes (around 0.5 cubic metres) by sea freight: from around £290.
- Small flat contents (around 1 cubic metre) by sea freight: from around £550.
Quotes are fixed at the time of booking and cover UK collection, freight, Japanese customs documentation and final delivery. For an exact figure based on your shipment, send us a rough inventory and we will respond the same working day.
Every shipment to Japan runs on two routes, sea freight and air freight. The right choice depends on how soon you need your items and how much you are sending.
Sea Freight to Japan
- Ideal for cost-effective shipping.
- Items are placed in shared or sole-use shipping containers via Yokohama or Kobe.
- Best for large loads or when timing is not critical.
- Delivery time: 10 to 14 weeks door to door from the UK to Japan, reflecting current routing around the Cape of Good Hope.
Air Freight to Japan
- Best for urgent shipments.
- Goods are packed onto commercial air carriers into Narita or Haneda.
- Fastest delivery time, usually upto 10 days.
- Higher cost compared to sea freight.
If you need to ship boxes, furniture or a vehicle from Japan back to the UK, we coordinate shipping in the reverse direction. The service runs the same way: door to door collection, fixed pricing, sea or air freight, UK customs handled on arrival.
- Collection across Japan: our partner agents collect from Tokyo, Yokohama, Osaka, Nagoya, Kobe and other Japanese locations.
- Sea freight from Japan: shipments leave the Port of Yokohama or the Port of Kobe, arriving at Felixstowe or London Gateway. Transit is typically 10 to 14 weeks door to door, in line with the outbound route.
- Air freight from Japan: departs Narita International or Haneda Airport, with UK delivery upto 10 days of collection.
- UK customs and ToR relief: returning UK residents may qualify for Transfer of Residence (ToR) relief from UK customs duty and VAT, provided you have owned and used the items in Japan for at least 6 months. We help you prepare the ToR1 application before your shipment leaves Japan.
Get your online shipping to Japan quote
in a few easy steps.
Why Choose Anglo Pacific for Your Shipping to Japan
Anglo Pacific has been shipping belongings internationally since 1982. We are one of the UK’s largest and most established international shipping companies, handling over 20,000 consignments every year from our offices in London, Manchester and Glasgow.
- Fixed pricing. Your quote is confirmed at the time of booking and covers collection, packing, freight, customs documentation and delivery. No hidden fees, no surcharges on arrival.
- Door to door service. We collect from any UK address and deliver to any address worldwide, including Tokyo, Yokohama, Osaka, Nagoya and Kobe.
- BAR accredited. We are members of the British Association of Removers with Advanced Payment Guarantee protection. Your money is protected from the moment you book.
- FIDI affiliate. We are affiliated with FIDI Global Alliance, the international network of quality-certified moving companies, giving you trusted partner agents in Japan.
- Quarantine and customs handling. Japan applies strict quarantine controls on food, plants and certain items, alongside standard Japan Customs clearance. We prepare your documentation and coordinate with the Animal Quarantine Service and Plant Protection Station where required.
- Transit insurance. Every shipment can be covered by Amica transit insurance, underwritten for international moves. You choose the level of cover based on the declared value of your belongings.
- Real-time tracking. Track your shipment from collection through to delivery. We keep you updated at every stage of the journey.
Popular UK to Japan Shipping Destinations
Thanks to today’s online accessibility, communicating with people on the other side of the world is easy. And so is international shipping to Japan from the UK with Anglo Pacific!
Although we deliver goods to almost all locations in Japan, some of our more popular shipping cities are:
Check out our country guides
Reviews
Shipping from the UK to Japan is easy when you choose Anglo Pacific. We are committed, experienced and we complete successful shipments to Japan each and every time. Rather than just hearing what we have to say, see what our customers think in our Japan shipping reviews.
To set the wheels in motion of your international shipping to Japan, book your video home survey today and one of our specialist estimators will review your consignment and provide you with the detailed UK to Japan shipping quote.
- Book a remote video survey
- Show us your items
- Get your quote
Costs depend on volume, shipping method and destination. A single 23kg suitcase by sea freight starts from around £180 door to door as an indicative figure. Air freight costs more per kilogram but delivers faster. For an exact quote, send us a rough inventory and we will respond the same working day.
Sea freight takes 10 to 14 weeks door to door for Tokyo, Yokohama, Osaka, Nagoya and Kobe. Air freight delivers upto 10 days and suits urgent or smaller shipments.
Yes. A dedicated 20ft container suits a full household move and holds the contents of a typical two to three bedroom home. Dedicated containers also travel faster than shared containers on the same route since they do not wait for consolidation.
Yes. Standard boxes measure 48 x 37 x 33 cm with a weight limit of 30 kilos each. We provide free export strength boxes on request, or you can pack and seal your own before collection.
Yes. We wrap and protect furniture individually using blankets, bubble wrap and custom crating where needed. Furniture can travel as part of a shared or dedicated container, or alongside a wider household shipment.
Japan enforces strict customs and quarantine rules. Restricted or prohibited items include fresh fruit, meat, dairy products, plants and seeds without the correct certification, firearms, swords and certain bladed items, and some medications containing restricted ingredients. If you are unsure about a specific item, contact us before packing and we will advise.