Japan
Air freight, sea freight and customs in Nagoya
Nagoya is the centre of Japan's car and aerospace industry, served by Chubu Centrair airport.
Services in Nagoya
- Air freight in NagoyaAir freight for time-critical and high-value cargo between Europe, the Americas and Asia.
- Sea freight in NagoyaFCL and LCL sea freight on the main trade lanes, with pre-carriage and on-carriage by road or rail.
- Customs clearance in NagoyaImport 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 Nagoya
- AirportChubu Centrair
NGO - SeaportPort of Nagoya
Nagoya's international airport is Chubu Centrair International Airport (NGO), located on an artificial island off the Chita Peninsula in Ise Bay. It handles freighter and belly cargo for the Chubu region and is known for the large aircraft parts that leave Japan from there. Nagoya Airfield (NKM) in Komaki serves only domestic flights and aircraft manufacturing. The Port of Nagoya is one of Japan's largest ports by cargo volume and a major export port for finished vehicles. For connections that NGO does not cover, we also route Chubu cargo via Narita (NRT) or Kansai (KIX).
The Tomei and Shin-Tomei expressways link Nagoya with Tokyo, while the Meishin and Shin-Meishin expressways lead towards Osaka. The Isewangan Expressway runs along the bay past the port terminals, and the Chita Peninsula road network connects to Centrair. The Tokai-Kanjo Expressway circles the wider Nagoya area and gives access to automotive suppliers in Aichi, Gifu and Mie.
Industries in Nagoya and how we support them
The Chubu region around Nagoya is the centre of Japan's automotive industry, with Toyota City and a dense network of tier-1 and tier-2 suppliers in cities such as Kariya and Anjo. Aichi and Gifu are also home to aerospace manufacturing, including major structural parts for commercial aircraft, as well as machine tools and ceramics. Ziem Logistics supports these supply chains with Next Flight Out for line-down situations, On-Board Courier for critical components, air freight under our own air waybills via NGO, sea freight FCL/LCL through the Port of Nagoya, and customs clearance by our Japanese network partner team.
Operational logistics facts for Nagoya
| Hub | Specialisation | Local advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Chubu Centrair International Airport (NGO) | Automotive and aerospace parts, general cargo | International air freight directly at the heart of the Chubu manufacturing region |
| Port of Nagoya | Finished vehicle exports, auto parts, machinery, FCL/LCL | Sea freight close to Toyota City and the Aichi supplier base |
| Toyota City and Kariya supplier cluster | Tier-1 and tier-2 automotive components | Pick-up at supplier plants and NFO solutions for production stoppages |
| Aichi and Gifu aerospace cluster | Aircraft structures, components and tooling | Planning for oversized or high-value aerospace consignments |
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
Can you handle an urgent line-down shipment to a plant near Nagoya?
Yes. For production stoppages we book Next Flight Out on the first available flight into Chubu Centrair (NGO) or, if faster connections exist, into Narita or Kansai with onward road delivery. For single critical parts, an On-Board Courier can carry the goods by hand to the plant gate.
Which airport do you use for Nagoya, NGO or Narita?
We use Chubu Centrair (NGO) whenever a suitable flight is available, as it keeps road distances short. For destinations or capacity that NGO cannot cover, we route via Narita (NRT) or Kansai (KIX) and truck the goods to and from the Nagoya area.
Do you collect auto parts from suppliers across Aichi?
Yes. We arrange pick-up and delivery throughout Aichi and the neighbouring prefectures of Gifu and Mie, including supplier sites in Toyota City, Kariya and Anjo, and consolidate shipments for air or sea freight where useful.
Who handles customs clearance at Centrair and the Port of Nagoya?
Clearance is done by a dedicated partner team in the Ziem network that works under the Ziem Logistics brand and follows our procedures. Declarations are lodged with Japan Customs via NACCS using the data we prepare, and you keep one contact for the whole shipment.
Can you help with tariff classification for automotive parts?
Yes. Tariff classification is one of our services. We review product descriptions and technical data to determine the correct HS code for components imported into or exported from Japan, which reduces the risk of queries and incorrect duty.
Are there special rules for aerospace parts imported into Nagoya?
Some aerospace components and tooling may fall under export control or require specific documents depending on origin and end use. We check classification and licensing questions with you before shipping, as release depends on complete and correct documentation.