Sendai, Japan
Air freight in Sendai
Ziem Logistics books air freight to and from Sendai via Sendai (SDJ). We arrange pick-up and delivery in the Sendai area and prepare the customs entries before the cargo flies. For air freight to and from Japan we issue our own air waybills.
Airports, seaports and connections in Sendai
- AirportSendai
SDJ - AirportNarita
NRT - SeaportSendai-Shiogama Port
Sendai Airport (SDJ), located on the coast south of the city in Natori and Iwanuma, is the main airport of the Tohoku region and offers domestic routes plus a limited number of international flights within Asia. Most international air freight from Sendai is therefore trucked to Narita International Airport (NRT) or Haneda (HND) for departure. The seaport is Sendai-Shiogama Port, with the Sendai container terminal serving Tohoku importers and exporters, and Ishinomaki Port further north handles bulk and fisheries cargo.
The Tohoku Expressway runs north-south through Sendai and connects the region with Tokyo and the Kanto airports. The Sendai-Tobu Road follows the coast past the airport and port, while the Joban Expressway offers an alternative route south along the Pacific coast and the Sanriku Expressway leads north to the fishing ports of the Sanriku coast. The Tohoku Shinkansen links Sendai with Tokyo.
Operational logistics facts for Sendai
| Hub | Specialisation | Local advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Sendai-Shiogama Port | Containers for Tohoku industry and food | Regional sea freight gateway without routing via Tokyo Bay |
| Sendai Airport (SDJ) | Domestic and regional connections | Local option for small urgent and hand-carried consignments |
| Tohoku Expressway corridor to Narita and Haneda | Road feeder for international air freight | Access to Japan's main air cargo hubs |
| Sanriku coast seafood industry | Fresh and frozen seafood | Planning of temperature-controlled exports |
Industries in Sendai and how we support them
Sendai is the economic centre of Tohoku. Miyagi Prefecture hosts vehicle assembly and automotive suppliers, semiconductor equipment and electronics production, and research institutions linked to Tohoku University. The Sanriku coast north of Sendai is known for seafood such as oysters and scallops, and food processing is an important local industry. Ziem Logistics supports these supply chains with air freight under our own air waybills via Narita and Haneda, Next Flight Out and On-Board Courier for urgent electronics and automotive parts, sea freight FCL/LCL through Sendai-Shiogama, and customs clearance by our Japanese network partner team.
Urgent parts to and from Sendai
When a production line or a project in the Sendai area is waiting for a part, we book Next Flight Out via Sendai (SDJ): the shipment goes on the first suitable flight, with the customs data prepared before departure.
For items that cannot wait for regular cargo handling, an On-Board Courier carries the shipment as hand luggage and hands it over in person.
Booked directly with the airline
For Japan we issue the air waybill ourselves. The booking, the shipment data and the advance cargo information come from one desk, which reduces handovers and keeps the documents consistent.
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 Sendai air shipments go via Sendai Airport or Narita?
International air freight from Sendai usually leaves from Narita (NRT) or Haneda (HND) after road transport on the Tohoku Expressway, because Sendai Airport (SDJ) has limited international cargo capacity. We confirm the routing and cut-off times with every booking.
Can you export fresh seafood from the Sendai region by air?
Yes. We plan temperature-controlled transport from the Sendai area to Narita or Haneda and book airlines with suitable perishable handling. Health certificates and destination country requirements are checked with you before shipping.
Does winter weather affect shipments from Sendai?
Snow between December and February can delay road transport, especially on routes into the mountains. We plan extra buffer for trucking to Narita or Haneda in winter and inform you if road conditions affect a shipment.
How do I get a quote for air freight to or from Sendai?
Send us the origin, destination, goods description, weight and dimensions. Our operations desk replies with a routing via Sendai (SDJ) and an itemised quote.