Sapporo, Japan
Customs clearance in Sapporo
Import and export clearance for shipments to and from Sapporo. 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 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 |
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.
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.
Avoiding delays at customs
Most customs delays come from inconsistent documents: different values on invoice and packing list, missing HS codes or unclear goods descriptions. We review the documents against each other before departure, so the declaration in Japan can be filed without queries.
Frequently asked questions
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.