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Tokyo
Japan
JPTYO
No Data
K+N Status
AIS limited in region
K+N24 Mar 2026
Updated 16m ago

Port Intelligence — What freight teams need to know

Tokyo port serves the Kanto region (Japan's largest consumption market). Japanese ports are among the most efficient globally — wait times typically under 1 day. The main risk for cold chain is Japan's strict food safety regime under the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) — inspection rates for imported food are high and lab testing can take 5-7 days.

No K+N update for this port yet

Weekly reports are loaded every Monday. Check back soon.

Customs Reality at Tokyo
7d
Published free time
4d
Effective free time

Japanese customs efficient but MHLW food inspections thorough. Lab testing for imported food can take 5-7 days. Japan maintains strict MRLs and additive limits.

Demurrage: $35/TEU/day · Detention: $22/TEU/day

Common Rejection Reasons

  • MHLW food import notification not filed
  • Pesticide residue exceeding Japan's strict MRLs (positive list system — default 0.01 ppm for unlisted substances)
  • Food additives not approved under Japan's Food Sanitation Act
  • Labeling non-compliance (Japanese required)

Known Holds

All food imports
Japan's positive list system for pesticides — any substance not explicitly listed defaults to 0.01 ppm MRL. This is much stricter than EU/US.
Test products against Japan's positive list before shipping. Default MRL of 0.01 ppm catches many commodities that pass EU/US inspection.
Cold Chain Reality at Tokyo
Mitigation:File MHLW food import notification before arrival. Pre-test products against Japanese standards.
Failure point:Inspection hold — regulatory delay
Significance:High — Japan imports massive quantities of food (fruit, meat, seafood, processed food)
Primary failure mode:MHLW inspection holds consuming free time. Lab testing 5-7 days.
Reefer plug availability:Excellent — Japanese terminals well-equipped
Alternative Ports to Tokyo

If disruption makes Tokyo unviable for your cargo

YokohamaJPYOK
Save $0/TEU
20 nm away+0h wait
Works for: Same Kanto region. Interchangeable for most purposes.
Not for: No meaningful difference.

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Live AIS Vessels

AIS coverage limited at this port. The free AIS tier has restricted coverage in some regions, particularly mainland China ports and parts of the Middle East.

Money Traps at Tokyo
MHLW lab testing consuming entire free time
5-7 day lab testing eats into or exceeds 7-day free time. Demurrage at $35/TEU/day.
Pre-test. File notifications early. Use expedited testing when available.
Seasonal Patterns
Jul-Oct (Typhoon)
Japan exposed to Pacific typhoons.
Standard typhoon monitoring.

Sources

Port status: Kuehne+Nagel Port Operational Update

Port intelligence: CargoPilot curated research

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