Structural steel export to Japan – market, ports, FTAs & import…

Steel structures for Japan

Japan trades with Vietnam under VJEPA, AJCEP, CPTPP and RCEP. Buildings follow the Building Standard Law with JIS materials and JASS 6 fabrication; labour shortages favour imported fabricated steel.

Economy & key sectors

Manufacturing, automotive, electronics, services

Demand for steel structures

Logistics, factories, data centres; seismic design.

Standards, references & solutions for Japan →

Supplied from Vietnam

What World Steel can supply to Japan

Structural steel, pre-engineered buildings and building-envelope products fabricated in our certified Vietnam plant and shipped ready to erect.

Steel Frame StructuresColumns, beams and bracing for heavy industrial buildings, multi-storey and high-rise frames – fabricated to your drawings and code. Trusses & Long-Span Roof StructuresTruss, space-grid, dome and arch roofs for terminals, halls, stadiums and other large column-free spaces. Equipment Support Structures, Racks & TowersSteel supports for process equipment, rack systems, platforms and towers for industrial and infrastructure projects.

Free trade agreements

Agreements in force between Vietnam and Japan, and the country's wider trade network.

FTA with Vietnam

AJCEP ASEAN–Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Regional · in force since 2008

VJEPA Vietnam–Japan Economic Partnership Agreement Bilateral · in force since 2009

CPTPP Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership Plurilateral · in force since 2019 In force between Vietnam and each member once both have ratified.

RCEP Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Regional · in force since 2022 ASEAN + Japan, Korea, Australia, New Zealand, China.

Other trade agreements of Japan

VJEPAAJCEPCPTPPRCEPEU–Japan EPAUS–Japan Trade AgreementUK–Japan CEPA

Import regulations for steel structures

What to check when importing fabricated structural steel (HS 7308) or prefabricated buildings (HS 9406) into Japan.

Fabricator performance grade under the Building Standard Law may be required.
JIS materials with mill certificates; preferential duty under VJEPA / CPTPP / RCEP.

Landed cost calculator

What does steel from Vietnam cost delivered to Japan?

Estimate freight, insurance, duty, taxes and local charges for fabricated steel structures – with the duty and tax rates for Japan already filled in.

Calculate landed cost

Import duty (HS 7308.90): MFN 0%
Consumption tax: 10%
Customs value basis: CIF

Tariffs and trade measures change frequently. This information is a general guide, not legal or customs advice – World Steel confirms the current duty and documentation position with every quotation.

Holidays & cultural calendar

Upcoming holidays and cultural events in Japan

Plan RFQs, approvals and deliveries around the days when offices, customs and ports close. Weekend: Sat–Sun.

Full calendar 2026–2027 →

Culture Day – Japan, 3 November 2026 — In 6 daysCulture Day3 Nov 2026Download banner ↓

3NovCulture DayPublic holiday · In 6 days 15NovShichi-Go-SanCultural · In 18 days 23NovLabour Thanksgiving DayPublic holiday · In 26 days 29DecYear-end and New Year holidaysObservance · In 62 days

Business seasonality: Business largely pauses over New Year (29 Dec–3 Jan), Golden Week (late Apr–early May) and Obon (mid-Aug); the fiscal year ends 31 March, so budgets and orders bunch up in Feb–Mar.

Seaports & logistics

Main container gateways for shipments from Ho Chi Minh City / Cai Mep to Japan. Steel is shipped in containers, flat racks or break-bulk depending on member size.

All world ports →

#31

Tokyo, JapanPort of TokyoGateway · 4.7 M TEU#39

Yokohama, JapanPort of YokohamaGateway · 2.7 M TEU#42

Nagoya, JapanPort of NagoyaGateway · 2.2 M TEU#41

Kobe, JapanPort of KobeGateway · 2.2 M TEU