1–3 days express — EU-Japan EPA gives most EU goods 0% import duty. Customs required; 10% JCT applies.
Japan is one of the world's most sophisticated consumer markets and a premium destination for Portuguese exports — wine, olive oil, cork, luxury goods and ceramics are all sought after by Japanese consumers and businesses. Under the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), in force since February 2019, the vast majority of EU-manufactured goods qualify for 0% import duty into Japan. The EPA is one of the most comprehensive FTAs in the world, covering nearly all goods categories. Japan Customs processes most well-documented express shipments within hours. Express carriers (DHL, FedEx, UPS) deliver to Tokyo, Osaka and other major Japanese cities in 1–3 business days. Japanese Consumption Tax (JCT) at 10% applies to all imports.
| Carrier | Economy | Express | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| DHL Express | — | 1–3 days | DHL Express Worldwide. Excellent Japan coverage. Tokyo hub. Best option for Japan. |
| FedEx | 4–7 days | 1–3 days | International Priority (1–3 days) or International Economy (4–7 days air). |
| UPS | 5–8 days | 2–4 days | UPS Worldwide Express (2–4 days) or Worldwide Expedited (5–8 days). |
| DPD | — | — | DPD does not serve Japan — EU road network only. Use DHL, FedEx or UPS. |
| GLS | — | — | GLS does not serve Japan. Use DHL, FedEx or UPS for Japan. |
Times are business days. Customs clearance time (if applicable) is additional and variable.
Japan requires customs clearance on all imports. EU-Japan EPA (Economic Partnership Agreement): in force since February 2019, covering ~94% of EU product categories at 0% duty immediately, rising to 99%+ by year 10. To claim 0% EPA rate: include a Statement on Origin on your commercial invoice — 'The exporter of the products covered by this document declares that, except where otherwise clearly indicated, these products are of EU preferential origin.' Japanese Consumption Tax (JCT): 10% standard rate (8% on food/non-alcoholic beverages). Applies to all taxable imports. De minimis: shipments valued under JPY 10,000 (~€60) are duty-exempt, but JCT still applies. Japan Customs (MOF) is highly efficient — express shipments with complete documentation clear same-day. Some product categories require additional permits: pharmaceuticals (PMDA), food (MHLW), plants/animals (phytosanitary).
Always include the EU origin statement on your commercial invoice to claim EPA 0% duty — without it, Japan's MFN tariff rates apply (which can be significant for some food and agricultural products).
Japanese address format is specific: include ZIP code (〒), prefecture, city, ward/town, block, building number. Japanese recipients are accustomed to receiving packages from overseas — tracking is important.
DHL Express is the best option for Japan — excellent Tokyo and Osaka operations, same-day customs clearance typical for well-documented shipments.
Food exports to Japan: certain foods require registration with MHLW (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare). Wine, olive oil and food supplements need Japanese labelling in Japanese. Check regulations carefully for food products.
Japan has strict cosmetics import rules — all cosmetics need to comply with Japan's Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Act (PMDA/MHLW). Some ingredients prohibited in EU cosmetics are permitted in Japan and vice versa.
Gift shipping to Japan: Japanese customs distinguishes carefully between personal imports and commercial imports. Ensure all commercial shipments are clearly documented as commercial to avoid delays.
DHL Express: 1–3 business days to Tokyo and Osaka. FedEx International Priority: 1–3 days; Economy: 4–7 days. UPS Worldwide Express: 2–4 days; Expedited: 5–8 days. All Japan services travel by air — no road option. Japan is approximately 10,000 km from Portugal. DHL typically uses the Frankfurt-Tokyo air route.
Under the EU-Japan EPA (in force since February 2019), the vast majority of EU-manufactured goods qualify for 0% import duty into Japan. To claim the 0% rate, include a Statement on Origin on your commercial invoice declaring EU preferential origin. Without the statement, Japan's standard MFN tariff rates apply. Japanese JCT (10%) still applies regardless of EPA preference.
Japanese Consumption Tax (JCT) is 10% standard rate on most goods, reduced to 8% on food and non-alcoholic beverages. JCT applies to all taxable imports into Japan and is paid by the Japanese importer on import (or collected by the overseas seller under the Japanese digital services tax rules for B2C digital sales). Business importers can recover JCT as input tax.
Required: commercial invoice (with HS code, declared value in EUR or JPY, country of origin, EU origin statement for EPA), packing list. For food: MHLW food import notification (Shokuhin Eisei Ho). For cosmetics: MHLW/PMDA cosmetic import notification. For plants: phytosanitary certificate. Express carriers (DHL, FedEx) provide customs brokerage as part of their international service — they handle most Japan customs formalities on your behalf.
Yes — Japan has a strong appreciation for Portuguese products. Portuguese wine, olive oil, cork products, ceramics (especially azulejo-style decorative items) and luxury fashion are actively imported. The EU-Japan EPA has made Portuguese agricultural exports significantly more competitive — wine tariffs were reduced from 15% to 0% under the EPA.
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