How To Import Sake

Import Sake from Japan - Expert Assistance, Quality Control, and Streamlined Procedures

1

Ex-Warehouse Japan

Ex-Warehouse Japan: The sake bottles will be delivered to a designated warehouse of your choice in Japan.

Sake bottle lineup

"Reikyo" (Niizawa Brewery, Miyagi) premium sake

Import unique sake

We provide a curated product selection based on your needs from which you can further select the sake bottles that you want to import. It does not stop here. We also provide sales & marketing resources for promotion of the sake products. Learn more about the export process here.

  • Select from over 1,000 curated sake bottles across a broad spectrum of flavors and categories
  • Smooth trade process with years of experience in exporting Japanese sake
  • Communication with the sake breweries all taken care of

2

Discount based on volume

There are 3 simple price points depending on the number of ordered cases. All prices are Ex-Warehouse Japan.

Sake bottle lineup

"Reikyo" (Niizawa Brewery, Miyagi) premium sake

Import unique sake

We provide a curated product selection based on your needs from which you can further select the sake bottles that you want to import. It does not stop here. We also provide sales & marketing resources for promotion of the sake products. Learn more about the export process here.

  • Select from over 1,000 curated sake bottles across a broad spectrum of flavors and categories
  • Smooth trade process with years of experience in exporting Japanese sake
  • Communication with the sake breweries all taken care of

3

Cooled supply chain

Reefer container shipping and cool storage are required in order to guarantee the quality of the sake throughout.

Sake bottle lineup

"Reikyo" (Niizawa Brewery, Miyagi) premium sake

Import unique sake

We provide a curated product selection based on your needs from which you can further select the sake bottles that you want to import. It does not stop here. We also provide sales & marketing resources for promotion of the sake products. Learn more about the export process here.

  • Select from over 1,000 curated sake bottles across a broad spectrum of flavors and categories
  • Smooth trade process with years of experience in exporting Japanese sake
  • Communication with the sake breweries all taken care of

Request a FREE quote

Steps To Import Sake

1

Request Sake Catalog

If you already know what you want let us know, or otherwise we can assist you with a tailored selection sake selection that fits your customer needs.

2

Sake Selection

You are able to select the optimal sake bottles from a curated sake list, depending on your customers needs.

3

Negotiation

After we have received your preliminary sake order, we negotiate and agree on the final terms.

4

Order

Put an order of the sake bottles at the agreed terms and we will provide you with an official invoice and packaging list.

5

Invoice and Payment

The invoice is issued. Within the payment terms you pay for your order (most of the time via bank transfer).

6

Shipment and Import

After the payment is confirmed, we deliver the sake bottles to a designated port from where the sake is shipped and then imported to the destination country.

1

1. Request Product List

If you already know what you want let us know, or otherwise we can assist you with a tailored selection product selection that fits your customer needs.

2

2. Product Selection

You are able to select the optimal sake bottles from the curated sake list.

3

3. Negotiation

After we have received your preliminary order, we negotiate and agree on the final terms.

4

4. Order

Put an order at the agreed terms and we will provide an offical invoice.

5

5. Invoice & Payment

The invoice is issued. Within the payment terms you pay for your order (most of the time via bank transfer).

6

6. Shipment & Import

After the payment is confirmed, we deliver the sake bottles to a designated port from where it is shipped and then imported to the destination country.

Request sake catalog

Sake Trade Service Menu

Learn more about our sake export services, including track record, key sake brands and offering.

Download service overview

Sake Blog

From the lastest sake industry news to interesting sake facts, our sake journal covers it all.

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FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Sake Import

QWhat are your payment terms?

The whole amount needs to be transferred to our bank account. We deliver the ordered sake once the payment is confirmed. After the payment confirmation it takes usally a couple of days to ship the sake to the designated port or location. Other payment terms can be negotiated separately.

QDo you use Ex Works (EXW) or Free on Board (FOB) for trading sake?

We use Ex Works Japan when working together with sake importers across the world. This means that we deliver the ordered sake bottles to a designated by your side and the logistics procedures from the Japanese port are your responsibility. Until the sake arrives the warehouse in Japan it is our responsiblity, everything after that is managed by you. Our prices are calculated accordingly and quoted in the sake product list.

QWhat ports are you usally using for exporting sake?

The main export hubs for container shipments are Kobe (for the Kansai area) and Yokohama (for the Kanto area). Depending on origin of the selected sake, it can make sense to sense to send the sake from one of the ports. In the case of air freight usally the two main airports of Hanada Airport and Narita Internation Airport are used.

QWhat shipping method do you recommend when importing sake?

For larger volumes we recommend sending the sake via the sea on a container ship. In most of the cases we recommend to use reefer containers that are temperature-controlled and allow a safe storage of the sake bottles. For smaller orders of a few cases which are time-sensitive, using air plane can be a viable option to send the sake bottles.

Sake Product

QIs it possible to change the sake label?

For some sake in our possible customization and changing the front label is possible. In general the back label exchangeable to be compliant with the local import and beverage regulations.

QHow can I have my own private sake developed?

There are two options: either a white label sake brand by changing the label of an existing sake or a private sake brand with your own recipe unique to you. We have a vast experience in developing unique and attention-catching sake bottles. Just contact us with your requirements and we will come back with a proposal.

QWhat sake bottle sizes do you offer?

We offer various different bottle sizes to our customers. Mostly we have 720ml and 1800ml sake bottles in our portfolio. Some of our products might also be available in 300ml, 500ml or 750ml formats.

QDo you offer volume-based pricing?

Yes, we offer volume discounts. In general, we offer three price tiers depending on the number of ordered cases from one sake brewery.

QWhat is the mininum order quantity (MOQ)?

We accept orders from 1 case, depending on the bottle size usually 6 or 12 bottles. This varies by brewery and product.

Interested in importing unique sake?

From famous brands like Zaku or your own private sake brand, Sakura Sake Shop will serve all of your sake import needs.

Request a FREE quote