Destination guide
Shipping Heavy Equipment to Japan
In 2025 the United States reported exporting 731 machines worth $109 million to Japan in the 15 classes we track, up 22% on 2024. The fastest published sailing is NYK RORO from Port Hueneme to Yokohama, 12–17 days. RoRo service: Limited from the East and Gulf Coast, regular from the West Coast. Duty and VAT on a $100,000 CIF excavator come to $10,000, or 10% of its value.
The four ways to ship machinery to Japan
Container, flat rack, RoRo and breakbulk, with where each one lands. RoRo availability is by U.S. coast; the other three are booked on the services that run when the cargo is ready.
| Method | From the U.S. | Where it lands, and conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Container | Direct sailings published | Published services: Hapag-Lloyd Gemini transpacific services[4]. Container ports: Port of Tokyo, Port of Yokohama, Port of Osaka, Port of Nagoya. |
| Flat rack | Booked on request | For machines too wide or tall for a closed box, on container lines that accept out-of-gauge cargo. Discharge at Port of Tokyo, Port of Yokohama, Port of Osaka, Port of Nagoya, subject to the terminal taking flat racks. |
| RoRo | Limited from the East and Gulf Coast, regular from the West Coast | Published services: NYK RORO RTW (U.S. West Coast – Asia)[2]. RoRo ports: Port of Tokyo, Port of Yokohama, Port of Osaka, Port of Nagoya. |
| Breakbulk | Liner breakbulk or charter | For cargo too large or heavy for a flat rack, loaded by ship or shore crane. Breakbulk and heavy-lift ports: Port of Tokyo, Port of Yokohama, Port of Osaka, Port of Nagoya. |
Published sailings to Japan
2 carrier services in our trade lane guides call in Japan. Each row links to the carrier schedule it was read from; transit is from the U.S. load port to the port named.
| Carrier and service | Method | Loads in the U.S. | Calls here, with published transit |
|---|---|---|---|
| NYK RORO[2]RTW (U.S. West Coast – Asia) | RoRo | Port Hueneme |
|
| Hapag-Lloyd[4]Gemini transpacific services | Container | Los Angeles, Oakland |
|
What the U.S. ships to Japan
U.S. exports to Japan by machine class, 2025 against 2024, as reported by the United States to UN Comtrade[1]. Units are as declared; the average is customs value divided by units.
| Machine class | Units 2025 | Units 2024 | Change in units | Value 2025 | Average per unit[1] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diesel generator sets | 63 | 48 | +31% | $45.4 million | $721 thousand |
| Crawler tractors | 324 | 152 | +113% | $28.4 million | $87.6 thousand |
| Wheel loaders | 115 | 164 | −30% | $12.8 million | $112 thousand |
| Off-highway dump trucks | 22 | 17 | +29% | $10.2 million | $464 thousand |
| Forklifts and telehandlers | 37 | 23 | +61% | $3.56 million | $96.1 thousand |
| Crushers | 54 | 63 | −14% | $2.76 million | $51.2 thousand |
| Wheeled tractors | 63 | 126 | −50% | $2.41 million | $38.3 thousand |
| Crawler dozers | 6 | 0 | – | $1.33 million | $222 thousand |
| Excavators | 8 | 2 | +300% | $752 thousand | $94.1 thousand |
| Motor graders | 26 | 0 | – | $525 thousand | $20.2 thousand |
| Backhoes and other excavating machines | 12 | 4 | +200% | $494 thousand | $41.2 thousand |
| Truck-mounted cranes | 1 | 0 | – | $50.1 thousand | $50.1 thousand |
A dash means the quantity was not reported for that year. Classes the U.S. did not ship here in either year are left out.
Import duty on machinery in Japan
The most-favoured-nation (MFN) duty applied to each machine class, as a simple average of the national tariff lines under its HS subheading[3]. Preferential rates under trade agreements can be lower.
| Machine class | HS subheading | MFN applied duty | Range across lines | Tariff year[3] |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Excavators | 8429.52 | 0% | – | 2023 |
| Wheel loaders | 8429.51 | 0% | – | 2023 |
| Crawler dozers | 8429.11 | 0% | – | 2023 |
| Motor graders | 8429.20 | 0% | – | 2023 |
| Backhoes and other excavating machines | 8429.59 | 0% | – | 2023 |
| Crawler and rough-terrain cranes | 8426.41 | 0% | – | 2023 |
| Forklifts and telehandlers | 8427.20 | 0% | – | 2023 |
| Off-highway dump trucks | 8704.10 | 0% | – | 2023 |
| Wheeled tractors | 8701.93 | 0% | – | 2023 |
| Crawler tractors | 8701.30 | 0% | – | 2023 |
| Combine harvesters | 8433.51 | 0% | – | 2023 |
| Self-propelled drill rigs | 8430.41 | 0% | – | 2023 |
| Crushers | 8474.20 | 0% | – | 2023 |
| Diesel generator sets | 8502.13 | 0% | – | 2023 |
| Truck-mounted cranes | 8705.10 | 0% | – | 2023 |
The range shows the lowest and highest line within the subheading; a dash means every line has the same rate.
Worked example: a $100,000 excavator
Import duty: 0% of $100,000 CIF is $0 (HS 8429.52, 2023 tariff)[3].
Consumption tax: 10% of the duty-inclusive $100,000 is $10,000 (Japan Customs, checked June 2026)
Total duty and tax: $10,000, or 10% of CIF.
- Excise, port charges, broker fees and any registration tax are extra. The final rate depends on the exact tariff line your broker declares.
Vehicles and other taxes
Japan levies no customs duty on imported passenger cars, but a 10% consumption tax applies and vehicles must meet strict Japanese type-approval/standards to register. Most US-origin volume is project cargo, machinery, and specialty vehicles.
Source: Japan Customs, checked June 2026.
- Import duty: 0% on passenger cars
- VAT: Consumption tax 10%
- Other charges: Shaken inspection, weight tax, and registration on road use
Documents for Japan
The papers a machinery shipment to Japan usually needs at destination. Your consignee and their customs broker confirm the list for the exact cargo.
- Commercial Invoice
- Packing List
- Bill of Lading
- Certificate of Origin
- Equipment Specifications
- Import Declaration
- Cleaning Certificate (for used equipment)
U.S. export rules
What every shipment from the U.S. has to clear before it sails, whatever the destination.
- Electronic Export Information (15 CFR 30)U.S. Census Bureau
Electronic Export Information is filed in AES for each Schedule B number worth more than $2,500 going to one consignee on one conveyance, and for every vehicle whatever its value. For vessel cargo it is due at least 24 hours before loading; the Internal Transaction Number (ITN) goes to the carrier with the booking.[6][7]
Applies to: Any Schedule B line over $2,500, and every vehicle
- Used self-propelled vehicles: 72-hour ruleU.S. Customs and Border Protection
U.S. regulations count self-propelled construction and agricultural machinery as vehicles. A used one must be filed in AES at least 72 hours before export, whatever its value or destination, and the ITN, the VIN or serial number and the ownership documents go to CBP at the port of export. Filing after departure is not allowed.[8][9][7]
Applies to: Used machines that drive: excavators, loaders, dozers, tractors, trucks
- ISPM 15 wood packagingIPPC, administered in the U.S. by USDA APHIS
Wood packaging and dunnage must be heat-treated to a core temperature of 56 °C for at least 30 minutes, or fumigated, and carry the IPPC mark with the US country code, the facility number and HT or MB. Marked wood can be reused; repaired or remanufactured wood must be treated and marked again.[10]
Applies to: Crates, skids, blocking and dunnage
- Export classification under the EAR (ECCN or EAR99)BIS (U.S. Department of Commerce)
An item subject to the EAR is either listed on the Commerce Control List under an Export Control Classification Number (ECCN) or classified EAR99, the basket for items not listed. The ECCN’s reasons for control, read against the Commerce Country Chart, decide whether the destination needs a license. An EAR99 item rarely needs one, but no item, EAR99 included, may go to a person under a denial order or to a prohibited end use or end user without BIS authorization.[11][12][13]
Applies to: Every export of goods subject to the Export Administration Regulations
Clearance notes for Japan
- Tokyo, Yokohama, and Nagoya are the main gateways; US left-hand-drive cars are allowed but suit specialty use.
- Vehicles need Japanese type-approval / inspection (shaken) to register.
Questions buyers ask
How much heavy equipment does the U.S. ship to Japan?
U.S. exporters reported 731 machines worth $109 million to Japan in 2025 across 15 machine classes, up 22% on 2024. The largest class by value was diesel generator sets, at $45.4 million. Figures are U.S. export declarations reported to UN Comtrade.
How long does shipping from the U.S. to Japan take?
The fastest sailing in the carrier schedules we track is NYK RORO (RTW (U.S. West Coast – Asia)) from Port Hueneme to Yokohama: 12–17 days. We track 2 published services calling here; inland delivery and customs clearance come on top.
Can I ship machinery to Japan by RoRo?
RoRo service: Limited from the East and Gulf Coast, regular from the West Coast. RoRo suits machines that drive or tow on board. Ports that take RoRo cargo: Port of Tokyo, Port of Yokohama, Port of Osaka, Port of Nagoya. Where RoRo does not run, machines ship on flat racks or as breakbulk.
What duty and VAT apply to a used excavator in Japan?
The MFN duty on excavators averages 0% of CIF, and Consumption tax is 10% on the duty-inclusive value. On a $100,000 CIF excavator that comes to $10,000 before excise, port and broker charges.
Which documents do I need to ship to Japan?
A shipment to Japan usually needs: Commercial Invoice, Packing List, Bill of Lading, Certificate of Origin, Equipment Specifications, Import Declaration, Cleaning Certificate (for used equipment). From the U.S., the export filing (EEI) goes in before loading, and titled machines need their title at the port 72 hours before export.
Export checklist (PDF)
A one-page checklist with the facts on this page for shipping Japan: methods, duty, rules and documents. Give it to your customs broker.
Download the checklistSources
Every figure on this page comes from the documents below, each checked on the date shown. Carriers and authorities revise them, so we confirm the current figure when we book.
- [1]World Bank WITS, UN Comtrade: exports reported by the United States, checked October 18, 2026
- [2]NYK RORO, RTW schedule: Mexico and U.S. West Coast to Asia (week 42, 13 Oct 2026), checked October 18, 2026
- [3]UNCTAD TRAINS via World Bank WITS: MFN applied tariff, checked October 18, 2026
- [4]Hapag-Lloyd, Revised WC5 westbound rotation (July 2026), checked October 18, 2026
- [5]Hapag-Lloyd, East-West Service Network (September 2026), checked October 18, 2026
- [6]eCFR, 15 CFR 30.37 Miscellaneous exemptions (Foreign Trade Regulations), checked October 18, 2026
- [7]U.S. Census Bureau, Foreign Trade Regulations FAQs, checked October 18, 2026
- [8]eCFR, 19 CFR 192.1 Definitions (used self-propelled vehicles), checked October 18, 2026
- [9]U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Exporting used self-propelled vehicles, checked October 18, 2026
- [10]USDA APHIS, Export ISPM 15-compliant wood packaging material, checked October 18, 2026
- [11]eCFR, 15 CFR 734.3 Items subject to the EAR (EAR99), checked October 18, 2026
- [12]eCFR, 15 CFR 738.4 Determining whether a license is required, checked October 18, 2026
- [13]eCFR, 15 CFR 732.3 Steps regarding the ten general prohibitions, checked October 18, 2026
Send us the machine and the destination
Give us the model or the measured dimensions and weight. We come back with the method, the sailing and a price, and the figures behind them.