With a population of around 123 million, Japan is a dynamic source of technology, automotive, and consumer goods. It is Australia’s second-largest trading partner after China, and also our second-largest export market. Our outbound freight to Japan consists mainly of primary products.
On the other side of the trade ledger, Japan is Australia’s third-largest supplier of imports, offering an abundance of high-quality merchandise, from traditional Japanese crafts to cutting-edge electronics and machinery, including both passenger and commercial motor vehicles.
Importing Cars and Motorbikes
Japanese automotive products are popular with Australians, and here at Colless Young we see a lot of their motorbikes landing. Importing any type of vehicle requires specialised shipping services, including clearance through customs and quarantine. Vehicle Import Approvals are required for most types of conveyances. It is an importer’s responsibility to ensure that cars and motorbikes – or their parts – are clean and free from biosecurity risks before they arrive in the country.
The Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) recognises a number of facilities in Japan as Recognised Offshore Cleaning and Pre-inspection Providers (ROCIP) for used motorcycles and associated parts for export to Australia. These facilities are known as Japanese Export Vehicle Inspection Centres (JEVIC).
The ROCIP scheme allows used vehicles and motorcycles to be cleaned and pre-inspected by approved offshore cleaning and pre-inspection providers. Importers of used vehicles entering Australia under the scheme are eligible to receive reduced inspection onshore. Ask us about these programs before you commit to your overseas purchase.
Trade Agreements
The Japan-Australia Economic Partnership Agreement (JAEPA) is one of Australia’s most utilised bilateral free trade agreements and celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2025.
Australia and Japan are natural partners, with highly complementary economies. The Agreement brings our economies and societies even closer, and underpins a strong relationship that is expected to endure for many years to come.
Japan is also party to several other multilateral trade agreements, including the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). Australia and Japan are also members of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) and both cooperate in the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
Rely on our Forwarding Services
You can rely on Colless Young to move all your Japanese goods – from the major ports of Tokyo, Osaka, Kobe, Nagoya, Hakata, Hiroshima and Yokohama – to Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Fremantle and Adelaide.
Shipping by sea from Japan to Australia can take between 22-30 days. Whether you need your freight faster or more economically, talk to us about the service that suits you best. You will need to allow extra time for the container to be packed in Japan and unpacked in Australia.
While Japan presents a wide range of opportunities, differences in culture, language and expectations of quality standards can present challenges to the smooth flow of business. Our experienced personnel at both origin and arrival points assure you of a streamlined service with competitive rates. When you use Colless Young, our goal is to deliver your goods safely, within budget and on time.
If you have any questions about moving your goods to or from Japan, don’t hesitate to contact us today. For comprehensive information – including freight rates – give us a call at Colless Young. Talk to Andrew, Tel: +61 7 3890 0800 email enq@collessyoung.com.au
