The Shanghai Shipping Exchange's Far East dry bulk weekly (Oct 30 - Nov 5) shows the hire index down 4.5% to 2,152.97. Capesize China-Japan/Pacific round-voyage TCT earnings fell 8.0% to USD 33,529/day; Panamax slipped 2.9% to USD 19,188/day. A negotiation window is opening for steel and bulk cargo bound for Japan — but mid-to-late November volumes will be heavy, so compare weekly and fix vessels early.
2026-11-08
The Shanghai Shipping Exchange's SCFI fell 53.90 points to 3,633.45 on Nov 6, ending four straight weekly gains, while the CCFI rose 2.3% to 1,924.69. Japan-lane rates have held a narrow band over the latest three issues — Kansai 326-328 and Kanto 331-335 USD/TEU (reference rates). Mid-to-late November is the last concentrated shipping window before Japan's year-end shutdown.
2026-11-08
Despite the Suez return releasing capacity, the container ship charter market stays firm: the New ConTex index rose 8 points to 1,682, Alphaliner calls it 'very strong' with large vessels especially scarce and charter rates at a four-year high (Source: Interstate Shipping via Sina Finance, Nov 2). CIMC's new-container production slots are booked through November with prices improving month on month — book equipment 7-10 days ahead for Japan-bound cargo.
2026-11-07
Maersk reported Q3 net profit of about USD 3.0 billion (+178% YoY) on November 5 and raised full-year guidance for a third time, but results missed consensus and the stock fell as much as 10%; ONE posted Q3 net profit of USD 1.32 billion (+362.5%) and lifted its FY2026 forecast from USD 0.9 billion to 2.0 billion (Sources: Xinde Marine News, 10jqka/Sinolinking, Shipping World, Nov 4-6). Profits are rate-driven — shippers should manage Q4 rate risk.
2026-11-07
Kawasaki Kisen (K Line) announced on November 5 a five-year investment plan for FY2027-2031 worth about 1.25 trillion yen (roughly USD 8 billion), more than double the current plan's 610 billion yen: 450 billion yen for car carriers, 290 billion for energy shipping and 230 billion for dry bulk, with the rest going to liquefied CO2 transport, offshore wind and hydrogen/ammonia supply chains. Targets include net profit of at least 210 billion yen and ROE above 15% in FY2031 (Source: Splash 247, Nov 5).
2026-11-06
Evergreen will send two 16,556-TEU ships eastbound via Suez on the Ocean Alliance NEU7/CES services on November 7 and 11, with the 20,124-TEU Ever Given following on MD2 from November 16; Premier Alliance's MD1 sails from Ningbo on November 13. About 63% of Far East-Europe capacity is back on the Red Sea and Linerlytica expects the three alliances plus MSC to fully return by Q1 2027. The China-Japan lane sees no direct impact, though deep-sea rates stay under pressure (Source: Splash 247 citing Linerlytica, Nov 5).
2026-11-06
SIPG's Yangtze multimodal unit notified on November 5 that, due to strong winds, feeder vessels under 90 metres were cleared from Yangshan from 00:00 on November 5. Yangshan and the northern Zhejiang coast forecast northwest winds of force 7 gusting 8-9 that day, shifting northeast from November 6 and strengthening again through November 9 (force 7-8 gusting 9). Ningbo's Beilun weather station issued a yellow wind alert at 07:41 on November 5 with force 7-9 offshore. Allow one to two days of buffer for Japan-bound cargo transhipped via Yangshan.
2026-11-05
International crude posted its steepest one-day drop in nearly three months on November 2: Brent January settled at USD 104.77/bbl (-7.63%) and WTI December at USD 96.46 (-7.36%), after Iran said it could restore security in the Strait of Hormuz within two days if Washington meets its demands. Singapore VLSFO, however, was still USD 1,003.50/t on November 2, more than 90% above the pre-conflict USD 521.50/t (Sources: Xinhua Finance, Ship & Bunker via Splash 247). With surcharges lagging four to eight weeks, quote Japan-bound cargo at current levels.
2026-11-05
The Shanghai Shipping Exchange's October 30 SCFI came in at 3,687.35 points, up 6.01 points (+0.2%) for a fourth consecutive weekly gain. The Japan lane held at USD 328/TEU for Kansai and USD 335/TEU for Kanto (reference rates). Carriers withdrew their November 1 hikes as volumes fell short, Asia-Europe spot deals slipped to USD 3,000-3,500/FEU, and Shanghai's over-48-hour container share rose to 36%.
2026-11-04
Japan's Ministry of Finance published a final affirmative anti-dumping determination on October 31 for cold-rolled stainless steel flat-rolled products from mainland China, at 27.7-42.1%, effective October 31, 2026 through October 30, 2031. Covered HS codes are 7219.31-7219.90, 7220.20 and 7220.90 (Sources: Japan MOF and METI notices, China Trade Remedy Information). Verify classification before shipping steel to Japan.
2026-11-04
From November 1, several Amazon Japan rules take effect at once: per industry media reports, listings lacking PSE/PSC certifications or with non-compliant labels face mandatory delisting, with non-compliant FBA inventory removed from December 1; Amazon's official New Selection Program cuts the Japan referral fee to 7.5% on the first 100 units of brand-new FBA inventory received from November 1; and holiday returns are extended (Sources: Amazon Seller Central, AMZ123). Sellers should audit certifications and inventory now.
2026-11-03
The 9th China International Import Expo runs November 5-10 in Shanghai. Pudong Airport's cargo terminal has applied dedicated channels, windows, vehicles and teams plus priority handling since October 15, processing 18 shipments / 188 pieces / 6.1 tonnes of expo cargo from Italy, Spain, Russia and other countries by end of October (Source: CAAC News, Oct 31). Japanese exhibitors should confirm ATA carnets and post-show return plans early.
2026-11-03
On October 30, 2026, a coordinated international dockworker action led by Italy's USB union drew declared participation from 113 ports in 22 countries and territories, with nationwide 24-hour strikes in Italy and France and stoppages at Greek ports including Piraeus. Organizers estimate the action touched over 40% of Mediterranean cargo volumes and more than USD 2 billion of goods, and the industry expects 3-5 day schedule slippage on Europe-Mediterranean services. The China-Japan near-sea lane is not on the list.
2026-11-02
On November 1, 2026, direct cargo routes opened from Jiaxing Nanhu Airport (JNH) in Zhejiang to Tokyo Narita (NRT) and Osaka Kansai (KIX), operated by Central Airlines with Boeing 737-800F freighters at five flights per week each — the first direct Japan cargo services since the airport's temporary port opening. WorldACD's week-43 data puts global air spot rates at USD 3.80/kg, up 38% year on year (reference rates), with Japan-origin capacity tight.
2026-11-02
Drewry's cancelled-sailings tracker shows 56 blank sailings out of 714 planned services on major east-west lanes between October 26 and November 30 — a blank rate of about 8%, with Asia-North Europe/Mediterranean accounting for 54% of the blanks. The WCI rose for a second week to USD 4,585/FEU on October 22 (reference rates), and MSC and CMA CGM have posted higher November 1-14 FAK rates. The China-Japan near-sea lane sits outside these blank programmes — still book 7-10 days ahead.
2026-11-01
From November 1, 2026, Japan replaces instant in-store tax exemption for foreign visitors with a refund method: shoppers pay the tax-inclusive price and receive a refund only after Japan Customs verifies the goods are being carried out of the country at dedicated airport/port kiosks. Aimed at curbing domestic resale of tax-free goods, the change squeezes grey personal-shopping channels and raises the value of properly declared cross-border exports.
2026-11-01
Vessel schedule postings show Japan settlement reference rates running low at 158.24-159.61 through late October (Sinotrans Japan postings dated October 20-26). A weak yen raises import costs for Japanese buyers, but year-end restocking has not cooled — MOF data showed September imports from China up 16.4% to a record for the month. For year-end quotes into Japan, shorten validity periods, spell out FX terms, and lock shipping plans before Japan's late-December logistics shutdown.
2026-10-31
The 140th Canton Fair's third phase opened at Pazhou, Guangzhou on October 31 and runs through November 4, under the 'Better Life' theme: five sectors — toys and maternity, fashion, home textiles, stationery and health & leisure — across 21 exhibition zones, 515,000 square meters and over 12,000 exhibitors. CCTV reports show Phase 1-2 deals are already converting into shipments, from e-scooters to large-screen TVs (Source: CCTV News and CCTV Finance, October 31).
2026-10-31
Shanghai's tiered waterway traffic controls for the China International Import Expo run Oct 25 to Nov 10, stepping up from Level 3 to Level 2 on Nov 1: dangerous-goods vessels face entry restrictions and foreign-flagged ships must pass security checks; the 12.5m Yangtze Estuary deepwater channel is dredged all November. Shanghai and Ningbo long-tail congestion has reached 25%/32% over 48 hours, while Japanese ports remain clear. Plan loading and buffers ahead for Shanghai-Japan shipments.
2026-10-30
The Shanghai Shipping Exchange released the SCFI on October 30 at 3,712.34 points, up 31.0 points (+0.84%) for a fourth consecutive weekly gain; Europe lanes softened while US lanes stayed firm, and the Japan lane kept trading in a narrow Kansai 326 / Kanto 335 USD/TEU band (reference rates). As deep-sea rates fall, China-Japan near-sea stays steady — book November shipments 7-10 days ahead.
2026-10-30
Kyodo News and other outlets reported Oct 28: NYK, K Line, Imabari Shipbuilding, JERA and three other Japanese companies announced on Oct 27 a partnership to build four ammonia-fueled car carriers by 2030 for Toyota and other automakers, backed by a ship-to-ship ammonia bunkering supply chain centered on Hekinan, Aichi — a milestone for shipping decarbonization.
2026-10-29
Per China's Central Meteorological Observatory on Oct 29, Super Typhoon In-Fa (No. 31) is moving fast westward and strengthening, expected to recurve northward around Oct 31-Nov 2 with no impact on China's coast. Waiting vessels at Shanghai/Ningbo rebounded to 139 after the typhoon, while Japanese ports have cleared their congestion. Confirm re-routing terms for Kanto arrivals in early November.
2026-10-29
Data from the Japan Air Cargo Express Association (JAFA) released October 20: Japan's September air cargo exports rose 15% year on year to 81,992 tonnes, a seventh consecutive monthly increase, with shipments to China up 11% to 17,442 tonnes. Semiconductor demand is the core engine — and China-Japan air trade is active in both directions. Lock peak-season space early.
2026-10-28
Clarksons data shows weekly container transit capacity through the Suez Canal averaged 753,000 TEU in the first two weeks of October, surpassing 50% of the pre-Red Sea-crisis level for the first time. Evergreen's CES service plans its first Suez transit in three years on Nov 4, with Yang Ming targeting a two-way November return. How does this affect the China-Japan lane?
2026-10-28
On the night of Oct 22, a large cargo aircraft caught fire while landing at Chubu Centrair International Airport near Nagoya, closing the runway temporarily; the cause was still under investigation and passenger flights were largely unaffected. Japan-bound air cargo via Chubu may face short-term delays — plan alternates via Narita or Kansai.
2026-10-27
Japan's Cabinet Order No. 254 (Aug 7, 2026) imposes provisional anti-dumping duties of 50.1-55.3% on Chinese and 29.2-38.0% on Korean hot-dip galvanized steel strip and sheet, valid until Dec 7, 2026; the cold-rolled stainless duty lapses Nov 8. Verify HS codes before shipping steel to Japan.
2026-10-27
Amazon Japan's Seller Central has published the Q4 2026 peak-season calendar: FBA inventory for the Black Friday sale must arrive at fulfillment centers and be checked in by November 23 to earn the Prime badge. In November-December, FCs shift to order processing and inbound appointment slots shrink; industry experience shows receiving runs 3-7 days slower than normal. Ocean shipments should leave by early November, air by mid-November (Source: Amazon Japan Seller Central official announcements).
2026-10-26
Japan's Ministry of Finance published its September trade statistics on October 21: imports from China surged 16.4% year-on-year to 2.7572 trillion yen, the 14th consecutive monthly increase and a record for the month; exports to China rose 8.6% to 1.73 trillion yen, up for a 7th straight month. Semiconductors, cross-border e-commerce and year-end restocking are driving China-Japan flows as Q4 shipping enters its peak window (Source: MOF Japan trade statistics preliminary report).
2026-10-26
Japan's revised Logistics Efficiency Act now obliges designated shippers to appoint a logistics manager and file improvement plans; major customs brokers stopped advancing duties and consumption tax from late September; logistics largely halts Dec 29-Jan 3. Plan backwards now.
2026-10-25
A C.H. Robinson advisory shows ANL, OOCL, PIL and MSC posting a USD 500/TEU GRI on North-East Asia–Australia from Nov 1; transpacific eastbound carriers filed a second GRI round of USD 2,000-3,000/FEU. Verify quote validity windows before shipping.
2026-10-25
Jiji Press reported Oct 23 that Japan's cabinet approved a Commercial Code revision giving electronic bills of lading the same legal effect as paper, also covering warehouse receipts and multimodal B/Ls. Enactment is targeted by December with FY2027 implementation — welcome news for short China-Japan lanes.
2026-10-24
Shanghai Shipping Exchange data for Oct 23: the CCFI composite fell 2.4% to 1,876.27 while the Japan lane index rose 2.5% to 1,063.23; the SCFI composite edged up to 3,681.34 for a third weekly gain. Japan-bound space still needs early booking.
2026-10-24
Reuters and other outlets reported early Oct 23 that, per Iranian statements, seven tankers were hit, caught fire or were damaged in the Strait of Hormuz overnight (independent verification pending). Brent settled up 4.00% at USD 113.17/bbl on Oct 22; WTI touched USD 100 intraday. Recheck BAF terms on Japan-bound quotes.
2026-10-23
China's meteorological bulletin (Oct 23, 06:00): Severe Typhoon No. 30 is expected to track north off Zhejiang around Oct 25, then turn northeast toward southwestern Japan. All Yangshan feeder services have been suspended since Oct 22, 18:00 — China-Japan sailings may face delays.
2026-10-23
SIPG data: Shanghai Port handled a record 5.135 million TEU in September (+6.2% YoY), about 171,000 TEU daily; Ningbo-Zhoushan also set a monthly record of 4.27 million TEU (+11.5% YoY), with 34.657 million TEU year to date. After three typhoons, both ports are back to normal efficiency — good news for year-end Japan-bound shipments.
2026-10-22
Black Friday (Nov 27) and Cyber Monday (Nov 30) approach: Amazon's holiday peak fulfillment fees have applied since Oct 15 based on ship date, averaging about USD 0.32 more per unit; the Black Friday week inbound cutoff for optimized splits is Oct 28 (arrival date); Japan FBM orders can only ship via Amazon Buy Shipping with a max 2-business-day handling time.
2026-10-22
China's Ministry of Finance, GACC and STA announced (Announcement No. 16 of 2026) that from January 1, 2026 to December 31, 2027, goods exported under customs codes 1210, 9610, 9710 or 9810 and returned in original condition within six months (food excluded) are exempt from import duty, VAT and consumption tax. For Japan-bound overseas warehouse and FBA sellers, the math on returning slow movers just changed.
2026-10-21
Japan's METI issued a notice on October 2 revising import customs procedures for chemical substances under the CSCL (Chemical Substances Control Law). Effective November 22, long-chain PFCAs (C9-C21), chlorpyrifos and medium-chain chlorinated paraffins (MCCPs) join the Class I Specified Chemical Substances list, and certain products containing them will be banned from import.
2026-10-21
Drewry's October 15 assessment: the WCI composite rose 3% to USD 4,485/FEU, ending three weekly declines; Shanghai-Rotterdam gained 6% to USD 3,522 and Shanghai-Genoa 7% to USD 3,945, snapping a 13-week Asia-Europe slide. New carrier FAK rates took effect October 19, with 34 blank sailings scheduled over five weeks.
2026-10-20
US 301 port fees on China-linked vessels took effect October 14 (US Eastern time); China's special port charges on US-linked vessels started the same day, with Chinese-built ships exempt. MSC, CMA CGM and Maersk are swapping US-lane tonnage to non-Chinese-built ships. What it means for the China-Japan trade.
2026-10-20
Container News, citing DynaLiners, reports that T.S. Lines will adjust its JTK and JTK2 service rotations connecting Japan, Taiwan and South China at the end of October: Nagoya moves to JTK and Taichung joins JTK2. Both loops link Tokyo/Yokohama with Nansha, Shekou and Hong Kong — shippers should recheck sailing schedules and arrival times.
2026-10-19
Ningbo Shipping Exchange reported on October 17 that the NCFI composite index fell 9.0% week over week to 1,315.7 points, with 20 of 21 lanes declining as the market enters its traditional slack season. Shanghai Shipping Exchange data from October 16 shows the Japan lane holding firm — a negotiation window opens elsewhere, but Japan-bound space still needs early booking.
2026-10-19
Tencent News reported on October 13 that USD/JPY hovered around 158 in early October after approaching 164 in summer; the Bank of Japan raised its policy rate to about 1.25% in September but officials are cautious on an October hike. How the weak yen reshapes pricing, stocking and logistics costs for Japan-bound exporters.
2026-10-18
Securities Times reported on October 16 that AliExpress overseas warehouse stocking for Double 11 rose 146% year on year, and Taobao will run the event across 20 global markets. Weihai's Japan/Korea-bound warehouses entered stocking period on October 18 with 600,000 inbound parcels daily — the busiest Japan-bound shipping window of the year.
2026-10-18
FedEx revised its China-origin demand surcharge on October 9, effective October 19: India-bound rises from CNY 0.8 to CNY 1.1/kg while US/Canada/Mexico rates stay at CNY 13.9/kg (IP) and CNY 8.4/kg (IE). DHL's peak demand surcharge (Oct 1, 2026 - Feb 5, 2027) is only USD 0.11/kg for Asia from China, versus USD 2.10/kg to Europe and USD 2.25/kg to the Americas.
2026-10-17
Shanghai Shipping Exchange data for October 16: the SCFI composite index reached 3,679.58 points, up for a second week; the CCFI stood at 1,922.64. Far East-Kansai held at USD 328/TEU and Kanto slipped to USD 331/TEU. The SCFI also added new box-type indices and cut the Kansai lane weight from 5.0% to 2.5%.
2026-10-17
Premier Alliance (ONE, HMM, Yang Ming) returns its Southeast Asia-North Europe FE1 loop to the Suez Canal from October 17, led by the 8,110-TEU ONE Continuity from Laem Chabang. Over 140 ships and 2M+ TEU have returned to Suez routings since May; about 35% of Asia-Europe sailings now use the Red Sea.
2026-10-16
Xeneta data shows global air cargo volumes rose 6% year on year in September, with average spot rates at USD 3.10/kg, up 27%. Northeast Asia-Europe and Northeast Asia-North America rates each gained 5% month on month. AI and semiconductor demand is stretching the peak season, tightening China-Japan air capacity.
2026-10-16
China's 2026/27 winter-spring schedule starts October 25, with 21,427 weekly international flights (+10.8% YoY) to 83 countries. Japan services hub on Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Dalian — recheck timings and book year-end space early.
2026-10-15
Japan's FY2026 tax reform removed the consumption-tax exemption for imports under ¥10,000, and JCT transitional input credits fell from 80% to 70% on October 1. Tokyo is also pressing Shein and Temu for sales data. What shippers should revisit.
2026-10-15
Maersk lifted its Emergency Fuel Surcharge to 20% effective October 12, and CMA CGM added USD 75/TEU on intra-Asia trades from October 1 as Brent holds above USD 100. How this affects Japan-bound freight costs.
2026-10-14
Amazon Japan's Prime Thanks Festival runs October 13-19. Q4 holiday peak fulfillment fees take effect October 15, and aged-inventory storage surcharges began October 1. Review restock plans and fees now.
2026-10-14
Three things to get right when shipping to Japan this peak season: verify PSS/BAF surcharge terms, book space early, and prepare invoices, packing lists and certifications in advance.
2026-10-13
SCFI shows China-to-Kansai at USD 328/TEU and Kanto at USD 333/TEU; the CCFI Japan index rose 1.0% week over week. Peak-season space is tight — book early.
2026-10-13