Japan Seafood Market Overview
Japan is one of the world's most demanding seafood markets, with strict quality, traceability and HACCP requirements. Tokyo and Yokohama ports handle most frozen seafood imports. Japanese buyers typically order from approved processors only — JFS, ASC and BAP certifications are valued. Food safety standards are among the strictest globally.
Thailand is one of Japan's top suppliers of frozen shrimp, surimi and prepared seafood products.
Shipping Frozen Seafood from Thailand to Japan
We ship reefer containers from Bangkok and Laem Chabang ports in Thailand to all major Japan ports. Reefer transit is approximately 5-9 days maintaining -18°C cold chain throughout.
Destination Ports in Japan
- ⚓Tokyo
- ⚓Yokohama
- ⚓Osaka
- ⚓Kobe
Reefer Lines Serving Japan
ONEMaerskEvergreenMSC
Seafood Products Preferred in Japan
Top Products
- • Frozen shrimp (vannamei, black tiger)
- • Tuna (skipjack, yellowfin)
- • Squid
- • Octopus
- • Crab
Common Packaging
- • Master cartons + IQF inner bags
- • 1kg/2kg consumer packs
- • Block frozen 1.8kg
Import Requirements for Japan
- 📋Health Certificate from Thai Department of Fisheries
- 📋Certificate of Origin
- 📋JFS / FSSC 22000 / HACCP certification preferred
- 📋Antibiotic / heavy metal residue test results
- 📋Japanese-language labeling for retail
- 📋Catch documentation (for wild-caught)
FAQ — Seafood Import to Japan
What seafood does Hanuman Seafood export to Japan?
We export the full range of frozen seafood to Japan: vannamei and black tiger shrimp (raw, cooked, peeled, breaded), tuna (skipjack, yellowfin — loins, steaks, canned), squid, octopus, surimi-based products, tilapia and crab. All products are HACCP, BAP and ASC certified where applicable.
How long does shipping seafood from Thailand to Japan take?
Ocean transit from Bangkok / Laem Chabang to Tokyo is approximately 5-9 days in reefer containers. We ship via ONE, Maersk, Evergreen, MSC. Total lead time from PO to port arrival is typically 25-50 days including production.
Which ports do you ship to in Japan?
We ship to all major Japan reefer ports: Tokyo, Yokohama, Osaka, Kobe. Tokyo is the most common destination for seafood reefer containers.
What documents are required to import seafood into Japan?
Standard import documentation for Japan: Health Certificate from Thai Department of Fisheries; Certificate of Origin; JFS / FSSC 22000 / HACCP certification preferred; Antibiotic / heavy metal residue test results; Japanese-language labeling for retail; Catch documentation (for wild-caught). We provide all export-side documentation including health certificates, COA and traceability records.
What is the minimum order for seafood to Japan?
Standard MOQ is 1 x 40ft reefer container (~25 MT depending on species and packaging). For LCL we accept from 1 MT for stock items. We can combine multiple SKUs in one container.