Fukuoka, Japan
Customs clearance in Fukuoka
Import and export clearance for shipments to and from Fukuoka. Customs clearance in Japan is handled by a partner team in the Ziem network, under the Ziem Logistics brand and to our procedures.
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 |
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.
Clearance through the Ziem network in Japan
In Japan, customs entries are filed by a partner team in the Ziem network. They work under the Ziem Logistics brand and to our procedures; our operations desk prepares the shipment data and remains your contact for the whole shipment.
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.
Documents we check before shipping
Commercial invoice, packing list, the transport document and, where needed, certificates of origin, licences or permits. We check that descriptions, values and HS codes are consistent across all documents before the goods move.
Frequently asked questions
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.