Japan
Air freight, sea freight and customs in Hiroshima
Hiroshima is a centre of the Japanese car and shipbuilding industry.
Services in Hiroshima
- Air freight in HiroshimaAir freight for time-critical and high-value cargo between Europe, the Americas and Asia.
- Sea freight in HiroshimaFCL and LCL sea freight on the main trade lanes, with pre-carriage and on-carriage by road or rail.
- Customs clearance in HiroshimaImport 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 Hiroshima
- AirportHiroshima
HIJ - AirportKansai
KIX - SeaportPort of Hiroshima
Hiroshima Airport (HIJ) is located inland near Mihara, east of the city, and serves domestic routes and a limited number of international flights within Asia. Most long-haul air freight for the Hiroshima region is therefore connected via Kansai International Airport (KIX) or the Tokyo airports. For sea freight, the Port of Hiroshima handles containers at the Kaita and Ujina areas, and Fukuyama Port to the east serves the industrial zone there. We combine these gateways depending on the destination and the location of the shipper in Hiroshima Prefecture.
The Sanyo Expressway runs along the Seto Inland Sea coast, linking Hiroshima with Okayama, Kobe and Osaka to the east and Yamaguchi to the west, and gives road access to Kansai International Airport. The Chugoku Expressway runs further inland, and the Hiroshima Expressway serves the city and port area. The Sanyo Shinkansen line connects Hiroshima with Osaka and Fukuoka.
Industries in Hiroshima and how we support them
Hiroshima is the home of a major Japanese carmaker, with its headquarters and main plants in Fuchu and the city's port district, supported by a broad base of automotive suppliers. The Seto Inland Sea coast around Kure, Onomichi and across to Ehime is one of Japan's main shipbuilding regions, and Fukuyama hosts large steel production. Ziem Logistics supports these industries with air freight under our own air waybills via HIJ, KIX and Tokyo, Next Flight Out and On-Board Courier for automotive and marine spare parts, sea freight FCL/LCL through Hiroshima, and customs clearance by our Japanese network partner team.
Operational logistics facts for Hiroshima
| Hub | Specialisation | Local advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Port of Hiroshima | Containers, auto parts, vehicle exports | Container access close to the automotive plants in Hiroshima |
| Hiroshima Airport (HIJ) | Domestic and regional Asian connections | Local option for small urgent consignments |
| Kure and Onomichi shipbuilding area | Shipbuilding and marine equipment | Delivery of marine spare parts and ship equipment to yards |
| Kansai International Airport (KIX) | Long-haul air freight for western Japan | Reached via the Sanyo Expressway for international freighter capacity |
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 Hiroshima air shipments leave from HIJ or Kansai?
For many international destinations we route via Kansai International (KIX) or Tokyo, as Hiroshima Airport (HIJ) has limited international cargo connections. Smaller urgent shipments to Asia may fly from HIJ. We decide per booking and confirm cut-off times every time.
Can you deliver urgent marine spare parts to shipyards near Hiroshima?
Yes. We arrange door-to-door delivery to shipyards in Kure, Onomichi and other yards along the Seto Inland Sea. For parts needed to keep a vessel on schedule, Next Flight Out or an On-Board Courier can be used.
Do you support automotive suppliers in Hiroshima with line-down shipments?
Yes. For production-critical parts we book Next Flight Out on the first available flight and arrange onward road delivery to the plant or supplier site in the Hiroshima area. Customs data is prepared while the goods are in the air.
Who clears customs for goods arriving in Hiroshima?
Clearance is handled by a dedicated partner team in the Ziem network, under the Ziem Logistics brand and to our procedures. Declarations are filed with Japan Customs through NACCS, whether the goods arrive at the Port of Hiroshima, at HIJ or via Kansai.
Can ship spares for vessels in a Hiroshima yard be handled under special customs rules?
Ship spares can, depending on the case, be handled under specific customs procedures for vessels. Whether this applies depends on the vessel, its status and the documents available. We check the options with you before the goods are shipped.
What should exporters in Hiroshima prepare for export clearance?
A commercial invoice, packing list, correct HS classification and, where relevant, export licences or certificates of origin. Our Japanese network partner team lodges the export declaration once the documents are complete.