Japan
Air freight, sea freight and customs in Fukuoka
Fukuoka is the gateway to Kyushu, Japan's growing semiconductor island, with short links to Korea and China.
Services in Fukuoka
- Air freight in FukuokaAir freight for time-critical and high-value cargo between Europe, the Americas and Asia.
- Sea freight in FukuokaFCL and LCL sea freight on the main trade lanes, with pre-carriage and on-carriage by road or rail.
- Customs clearance in FukuokaImport and export clearance by our in-house customs teams in 8 countries and by partner teams in the Ziem network.
Airports, seaports and connections in Fukuoka
- AirportFukuoka
FUK - SeaportHakata Port
Fukuoka Airport (FUK) is located very close to the city centre and is the main airport of Kyushu, with international connections mainly to East and Southeast Asia. Kitakyushu Airport (KKJ), built on an offshore island to the north-east, also handles cargo flights. For long-haul air freight, cargo from Fukuoka is often connected via Tokyo or Osaka. Hakata Port is the main seaport, with container terminals at Island City and Kashii, and the Port of Kitakyushu at Moji and Hibikinada adds further container and ro-ro capacity. Fukuoka's short sea links to Busan make it a natural gateway for trade with Korea.
The Kyushu Expressway runs north-south through Fukuoka Prefecture, linking Kitakyushu, Fukuoka and Kumamoto, while the Fukuoka Urban Expressway connects the airport, Hakata Port and the city. The Higashi-Kyushu and Nagasaki expressways extend the network. Ferry and ro-ro services link Hakata with Busan, and JR Freight serves Fukuoka with container rail links to Honshu.
Industries in Fukuoka and how we support them
Kyushu is often called Silicon Island because of its long tradition of semiconductor production, and the area around Fukuoka also hosts car plants and component suppliers in the north of the prefecture. Food production and processing, including seafood and regional specialities, are important too. Ziem Logistics supports these supply chains with air freight under our own air waybills via FUK and the Tokyo or Osaka hubs, sea freight FCL/LCL through Hakata, Next Flight Out and On-Board Courier for urgent semiconductor and automotive parts, and customs clearance through our Japanese network partner team.
Operational logistics facts for Fukuoka
| Hub | Specialisation | Local advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Fukuoka Airport (FUK) | Regional air cargo to East and Southeast Asia | Airport very close to the city for quick collection and delivery |
| Hakata Port (Island City and Kashii terminals) | Containers, short-sea and ro-ro to Korea and China | Short sea routes to Busan and Chinese ports |
| Port of Kitakyushu (Moji, Hibikinada) | Containers and ro-ro for north Kyushu industry | Alternative port for manufacturers in the Kitakyushu area |
| Northern Kyushu automotive cluster | Vehicle assembly and component supply | Pick-up at plants and NFO solutions for production stoppages |
Customs clearance in Japan
Ziem network
Customs clearance in Japan is handled by a partner team in the Ziem network, under the Ziem Logistics brand and to our procedures.
For air freight to and from Japan we issue our own air waybills.
Importers in Japan need an importer code registered in NACCS (recommended) and, for some goods, product-specific notifications.
Frequently asked questions
Do Fukuoka air shipments fly direct or via Tokyo or Osaka?
It depends on the destination. FUK has direct flights mainly within Asia, so shipments to Europe or North America are usually connected via Narita, Haneda or Kansai. We choose the routing per booking and confirm cut-off times with every shipment.
Can semiconductor parts from Kyushu be shipped by On-Board Courier?
Yes. For critical wafers, sensitive components or spare parts for fab equipment, an On-Board Courier carries the goods by hand on scheduled flights, departing from Fukuoka or a Tokyo or Osaka airport, and delivers them directly to the recipient.
How does the rainy and typhoon season affect Fukuoka shipments?
The rainy season in June and July and typhoons between August and October can disrupt flights and port operations for short periods. We monitor airline and port notices and rebook freight on the next available departures when a flight is cancelled.
Who clears my goods arriving at Fukuoka Airport or Hakata Port?
A dedicated partner team in the Ziem network handles clearance under the Ziem Logistics brand and to our procedures, filing declarations with Japan Customs through NACCS. We prepare the shipment data, so you have one contact from booking to release.
Can goods shipped from Korea by ferry be cleared in Fukuoka?
Yes. Cargo arriving at Hakata Port by ferry or ro-ro from Busan can be cleared there by our Japanese network partner team. As with any import, release depends on complete documents such as the commercial invoice, packing list and transport document.
Do food imports into Fukuoka need extra documents?
Yes. Food imports into Japan require a food import notification under the Food Sanitation Act, and some products also need plant or animal quarantine checks. We review the requirements with you before shipping to avoid delays at release.