Mercator’s import team recently arranged LCL shipping from Japan for 3 pallets containing a specialist material used in cleaning products.
Door to Door LCL Shipping from Japan
The UK importer purchased the goods on Ex Works (EXW) incoterm and so was responsible for arranging the entire LCL shipping from Japan (including export customs in Japan). As they appointed UK based freight forwarder Mercator, we were able to handle the entire shipment for them taking care of everything. We have a strong relationship with our partner agent based in Osaka, Japan, who we have worked with for over ten years.
In collaboration with our agent in Japan, we arranged the collection of the pallets in Japan, export customs, delivery to the co-loader for loading into the shared container, and sea freight to the UK. Once the shipment arrived in the UK, our team took full control and arranged the import customs clearance and delivery to the UK importer’s door.
Transit Time for LCL Shipping from Japan
This particular LCL shipping from Japan was routed from Kobe to Southampton, taking 55 days port to port. Typically, at the moment sea freight from Japan to the UK takes 50-60 days port to port. This extended time is due to the situation in the Red Sea, causing a long diversion around the Cape of Good Hope. If almost 2 months on the water sounds like too long, then the alternative is air freight which can take a matter of days from Japan to the UK, however, this service does come at a premium.
UK Japan Trade Agreement
There is a trade agreement in place between the UK and Japan, which UK companies can benefit from some reduced import duty rates (depending upon the commodity classification). To check whether the goods you wish to import into the UK from Japan qualify for a reduced or nil rate, select the relevant commodity code and Japan on the UK trade tariff, and check the results.
To request a quote for LCL shipping from Japan to the UK, get in touch with our team by calling (+44) 02392 756 575, emailing sales@mercatorcargo.co.uk or completing the form below and we will be in touch.
