How much does sea shipping from Japan to the USA cost?

For eligible moving-from-Japan shipments of personal belongings packed in sturdy cardboard boxes, indicative sea freight charges start at ¥120,000 for the first 1 m³ to Los Angeles and ¥128,000 for the first 1 m³ to San Francisco. Other U.S. destinations are generally ¥125,000–¥190,000 for the first 1 m³, depending on the city and conditions.

These are door-to-port / destination-terminal charges, not door-to-door prices. U.S. destination terminal charges, import customs clearance and local delivery are not included. Actual quotations vary by shipment, pickup conditions, destination and sailing. The figures on this page are indicative and are not binding quotations.

Sea freight rate guide by destination

Rates as of August 2026 • Cardboard-box shipments of unaccompanied personal effects only • Indicative, subject to individual quotation

The following indicative rates are based on pickup from the Tokyo/Yokohama area in Japan. Additional charges may apply for pickup from other areas.

Important: The “other U.S. cities” figures are a general range, not a quotation for every city. Base and additional-volume rates are paired for each destination and will be confirmed individually. Actual costs vary by route, collection arrangements and shipment conditions.

The minimum chargeable volume is 1.00 m³. A shipment measuring less than 1.00 m³ is charged as 1.00 m³. Above this minimum, we calculate charges in increments of 0.01 m³, rather than rounding every shipment up to the next full cubic meter.

Sea freight cost examples: 1.1 to 3 cubic meters

The following examples use the rates above and assume normal service conditions. They exclude U.S. destination charges, insurance, ISF filing and any special charges.

A 50 × 40 × 50 cm carton occupies 0.10 m³. The box count is illustrative; your own boxes may be different sizes. For the 1.23 m³ example, 12–13 such boxes cannot total exactly 1.23 m³: the cost is shown to illustrate 0.01 m³ billing for mixed box sizes.

How do I calculate the volume of my moving boxes?

For each packed carton, multiply its outer length × width × height in meters. Then add the volumes of all cartons.

For example, ten cartons of 50 × 40 × 50 cm total 1.00 m³. If your boxes are smaller—say 40 × 40 × 50 cm each—ten boxes total 0.80 m³, but the minimum chargeable volume is still 1.00 m³.

Sea freight for ordinary personal effects is based primarily on volume, rather than the weight of every box, although unusually heavy cargo may require a special quotation. For perspective, a 1 m³ personal-effects shipment may weigh roughly 120–300 kg, depending on what is packed.

U.S. destinations served via Los Angeles

For the consolidated sea freight service described here, the U.S. port of entry is Los Angeles. Even shipments bound for San Francisco, Seattle, Portland, New York and many inland cities first arrive in Los Angeles. They are then transported onward to the nominated destination freight terminal, normally by truck, depending on the route.

Terminal delivery does not mean residential delivery. Customers generally arrange customs clearance and collection from the destination CFS, or engage a local customs broker and delivery company.

These are examples from our published sea freight destination list; the availability of individual destinations and routings must be reconfirmed before booking. We can also check destinations not shown here.

What is included in the quoted sea freight charge?

Under the standard service conditions, the Japan-side quotation includes:

• Ocean freight to the specified U.S. destination terminal
• Container Freight Station (CFS) / port handling charges in Japan
• Export customs clearance charges in Japan
• Japan Luggage Express handling charges

CFS stands for Container Freight Station, a freight terminal where consolidated (LCL) shipments are handled. Standard residential collection is subject to the pickup conditions below; any pickup-related charge or surcharge will be confirmed in the individual quotation.

What is not included?

• U.S. destination charges such as destination terminal/CFS handling, destination agent fees, and other applicable local charges, payable at destination
• U.S. import customs clearance and broker fees if a broker is used
• Truck delivery from the destination terminal to the customer’s home
• Optional shipment insurance, ISF filing assistance, storage and other special services
• Any duties, taxes, inspections, demurrage or storage charges that may apply at destination

Some customers may clear their goods directly with U.S. Customs and Border Protection rather than hire a customs broker, subject to the relevant procedures. We can provide a contact for a Baltimore-area customs broker previously used by one of our customers if requested; this is not an endorsement or a guarantee of service.

Collection and packing conditions

These indicative rates apply to owner-packed, sturdy cardboard boxes containing unaccompanied personal effects. All cartons must be securely packed before pickup, with a packing list describing the contents of each box.

• Standard collection is carried out by one driver from the residence entrance under normal-access conditions.
• Access should be at ground level or via a usable elevator. If stair carrying is required, please tell us in advance; availability and any extra charge must be confirmed.
• Safe parking must be available on the premises or legally in front of or near the building without obstructing traffic.
• Maximum carton dimensions: 240 cm for length + width + height combined.
• Maximum weight per carton: 35 kg.
• Each carton must be manageable by one person. If one carton cannot be handled safely by one driver, please let us know in advance; extra labor may incur a surcharge.
• Not accepted under these boxed-shipment rates: bags, suitcases, plastic containers, flight cases, metal boxes and similar non-cardboard packaging.

These rates are intended for cardboard-box shipments only. Furniture, unusually heavy items or difficult-access collections require a separate assessment.

Who can use these personal-effects rates?

These rates are for people moving from Japan to the United States and shipping their own unaccompanied personal belongings. Both Japanese export customs clearance and U.S. import customs clearance are required.

They do not apply to commercial shipments, gifts or merchandise purchased for export. They also do not apply as standard rates when the owner has already departed Japan at the time of application. Collection after the owner’s departure may require special advance arrangements, additional documentation and a surcharge, and may not always be possible.

Please reserve preferably one week to one month before collection. Short-notice bookings (especially less than one week) are subject to availability and may incur additional charges.

Insurance, U.S. ISF filing and temporary storage

Optional insurance

The marine insurance premium is 2.2% of the declared value, subject to a minimum premium of ¥4,000. If your declared value is ¥300,000, the premium would be ¥6,600. Coverage terms and exclusions should be reviewed before purchasing.

Importer Security Filing (ISF / “10+2”)

For U.S.-bound cargo arriving by sea, Importer Security Filing (ISF) information normally must be submitted to U.S. Customs and Border Protection in advance, generally no later than 24 hours before the cargo is loaded onto the vessel. ISF is a security filing and is not the same as import customs clearance. The requirement has existed since 2009; it is not a newly introduced rule.

Japan Luggage Express can arrange ISF filing for a qualifying unaccompanied personal-effects shipment at ¥8,000 per consignment. Alternatively, an authorized U.S. customs broker or filing agent may arrange it. The importer remains responsible for providing accurate information. Read our explanation of ISF and the official U.S. Customs guidance.

Storage in Japan before shipping

If prearranged, short-term storage prior to shipping costs ¥500 per m³ per day, for up to 10 days. Longer storage requires a different facility, with higher storage costs and a separate forwarding charge. Storage is subject to prior arrangement and availability.

Frequently asked questions

Can I ship just several boxes totaling less than one cubic meter?

Yes. You may ship just a few cardboard boxes. However, the minimum billable sea freight volume is 1.00 m³, so even if your boxes total only 0.4 or 0.8 m³, the sea freight charge is calculated as 1.00 m³. Above the minimum, we charge in increments of 0.01 m³.

Is air freight cheaper for a small shipment?

It can be. For a small number of boxes, air freight may be less expensive in total than sea freight because sea freight is subject to a one-cubic-meter minimum and may involve destination terminal charges. Compare the total cost and transit options with our air freight rate guide, or request a quotation for both.

Do you ship to New York, Seattle or Portland by sea?

Yes, subject to availability and confirmation. Under the service described here, goods enter via Los Angeles and continue to the relevant inland or destination freight terminal. It is not a door-to-door price.

Can I ship suitcases or plastic storage boxes at these prices?

No. The rates on this page apply to properly packed cardboard boxes, not suitcases, bags or plastic containers.

Can I use these rates to send purchased goods or gifts?

No. These are unaccompanied personal-effects rates for people moving out of Japan. General cargo, merchandise and gift shipments are subject to different arrangements and customs requirements.

Why might my final quotation differ from this table?

Charges can vary with the final destination, shipment volume, sailing, pickup conditions, cargo contents and required additional services. U.S. destination charges and local delivery costs are separate.