Overview: Air freight is faster but significantly more expensive and less practical for large items like cars due to size and weight restrictions. It’s rarely used for JDM car imports unless the vehicle is a high-value, time-sensitive, or specialty item (e.g., rare parts or a show car).
Key Details:
- Transit Time:
- Standard air freight: 8–10 days.
- Express air freight: 2–4 days (e.g., via Japan Post EMS or private couriers like DHL, FedEx).
- Example: Narita (NRT) to Ted Stevens Anchorage (ANC) takes ~5h 48m, with flights 1–2 times daily by carriers like Kalitta Air, UPS, or FedEx.
- Cost:
- Much higher than ocean freight, often 5–10 times the cost for equivalent weight. For a 1 kg parcel, Japan Post EMS costs ~$30 (4,000 JPY).
- Costs escalate rapidly for heavier or bulkier items, making it impractical for whole cars (typically 1,000–2,000 kg).
- Air freight rates are expected to rise 10–15% in late 2025.
- Key Airports in Japan: Narita (Tokyo), Haneda (Tokyo), Kansai (Osaka).
- Key USA Airports: Los Angeles (LAX), Anchorage (ANC), Memphis (MEM, FedEx hub).
- Advantages:
- Fast delivery (2–10 days).
- Enhanced security and lower risk of damage due to controlled handling.
- Ideal for small, high-value parts or urgent shipments.
