Posted on: December 12, 2025 / Last updated: December 12, 2025
Is This the Beginning of a Logistics Cost Reset?
Nippon Express, a subsidiary of NIPPON EXPRESS Holdings, has announced a major revision to its customs clearance fees.
Starting January 1, 2026, basic customs clearance fees will increase by approximately 25 percent on average.
This marks the first major fee revision in nearly 30 years.
Why Are Customs Fees Rising Now?
This revision should not be seen as a simple price hike.
It represents a normalization of pricing.
For decades, customs clearance fees remained effectively frozen, even after historical price caps lost their legal basis.
At the same time, the operational burden on customs brokers has increased significantly.
- Rising labor costs
- Growing complexity of rules of origin under FTAs and EPAs
- Stricter security and regulatory compliance checks
- Ongoing investment required for AEO programs and IT systems
Costs continued to rise while prices stayed unchanged, creating a structural imbalance.
This decision indicates that the industry has reached its limits.
Impact on the Industry and Shippers
Nippon Express’s move is expected to influence the entire logistics industry.
Other major freight forwarders may follow with similar pricing revisions.
For shippers, this means that supply chain costs must be reassessed more comprehensively.
Not only transportation rates, but also often-overlooked customs clearance costs should be included in total cost evaluations.
Customs clearance is a critical infrastructure supporting global trade.
Without appropriate compensation, maintaining quality and compliance becomes increasingly difficult.
This revision signals a turning point for the cost structure of international logistics in Japan.
