Japan
Air freight, sea freight and customs in Sapporo
Sapporo flies fresh seafood and dairy products from Hokkaido across Asia.
Services in Sapporo
- Air freight in SapporoAir freight for time-critical and high-value cargo between Europe, the Americas and Asia.
- Sea freight in SapporoFCL and LCL sea freight on the main trade lanes, with pre-carriage and on-carriage by road or rail.
- Customs clearance in SapporoImport 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 Sapporo
- AirportNew Chitose
CTS - SeaportTomakomai
Sapporo's main airport is New Chitose Airport (CTS), located in Chitose south of the city. It is Hokkaido's principal air gateway, with domestic routes to Tokyo and Osaka and international connections within Asia. Sapporo Okadama Airport (OKD) handles only small domestic flights. Long-haul air freight is usually connected via Haneda or Narita. For sea freight, Tomakomai Port south of Chitose is Hokkaido's main cargo port, with container and ferry services, while Ishikari Bay New Port and Otaru Port serve the Sapporo area directly.
The Hokkaido Expressway links Sapporo with New Chitose Airport and Tomakomai to the south and Asahikawa to the north. The Doo Expressway and local roads connect Tomakomai Port with the airport. Ro-ro and ferry services link Tomakomai with ports on Honshu such as Oarai, Sendai and Hachinohe, and JR Freight connects Sapporo with Honshu through the Seikan Tunnel.
Industries in Sapporo and how we support them
Hokkaido is Japan's main source of seafood such as scallops, salmon and crab, and of dairy products and agricultural goods, much of which is processed around Sapporo and shipped through New Chitose. Chitose has also become the site of a new advanced semiconductor fab, drawing equipment and materials suppliers to the area. Ziem Logistics supports these supply chains with temperature-controlled air freight under our own air waybills via CTS and the Tokyo hubs, sea freight FCL/LCL via Tomakomai, On-Board Courier and Next Flight Out for semiconductor equipment parts, and customs clearance by our Japanese network partner team.
Operational logistics facts for Sapporo
| Hub | Specialisation | Local advantage |
|---|---|---|
| New Chitose Airport (CTS) | Perishables, seafood, dairy, general cargo | Hokkaido's main air gateway, close to food producers |
| Tomakomai Port | Containers, ro-ro and ferries to Honshu | Sea freight gateway for Hokkaido imports and exports |
| Chitose semiconductor site | Advanced chip production, equipment and materials | Urgent spare parts delivered directly to the site |
| Ishikari Bay New Port | Regional cargo for the Sapporo area | Port option close to Sapporo's distribution centres |
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 fresh seafood from Hokkaido be flown abroad via New Chitose?
Yes. We book perishables via New Chitose (CTS) on direct flights within Asia or via Tokyo for other destinations, using airlines with suitable cold chain handling. Packaging, temperature range and health certificates are agreed before booking.
How does heavy snow affect air freight from Sapporo?
Heavy snow between December and February can delay or cancel flights at New Chitose. We monitor airline notices, keep you informed and rebook freight on the next available flight when needed.
Can you deliver urgent parts to the semiconductor fab in Chitose?
Yes. For critical equipment spare parts we arrange Next Flight Out into New Chitose or an On-Board Courier who hand-carries the goods to the site. Delivery is arranged directly to the fab or supplier address in the Chitose area.
Who clears customs for shipments arriving at New Chitose or Tomakomai?
A dedicated partner team in the Ziem network handles clearance under the Ziem Logistics brand and to our procedures. Declarations are lodged with Japan Customs via NACCS, using the shipment data we prepare.
What is needed to export Hokkaido dairy products?
Dairy exports usually require a health certificate and documents set by the destination country, alongside the commercial invoice and packing list. We review destination requirements with you before shipping, as clearance depends on complete documents.
Can semiconductor equipment for Chitose be cleared at another Japanese airport?
Yes. Equipment arriving via Narita, Haneda or another gateway can be cleared there by our Japanese network partner team and trucked or flown on to Chitose, depending on what suits the shipment.