Buyer Intelligence Report

Seafood Buyers in Japan

55+ verified seafood and marine product importers in Japan — with direct procurement contacts, emails, and phone numbers for Indian shrimp, prawn, and fish exporters. Updated September 2026. MX-verified.

55+Verified Importers
44+Direct Contacts
6Seafood Categories
$450MIndia→Japan Seafood
Japan is India's #2 seafood export market — importing $450M+ in Indian marine products annually, primarily vannamei shrimp, black tiger shrimp, and squid. Japanese buyers are the world's most quality-conscious: relationship-first, zero-defect expectations, and 3–6 month qualification processes. Getting into a Japanese buyer's supply chain means stable, long-term volume.

Live Buyer Contacts — Sample Preview

3 verified contacts shown. Sign up to access all 55+ importers with full emails, phone numbers, and buyer profiles.

✓ MX Verified
Maruha Nichiro Corporation
Japan · Tokyo
India Seafood Procurement Division
Major Trading Co.
Shrimp
HS 0306.17
✓ MX Verified
Nissui Corporation (日本水産)
Japan · Tokyo
Senior Buyer — Tropical Shrimp
+81 3 6206-7800
Large Volume
BAP Required
✓ MX Verified
Toyo Suisan Kaisha (Maruchan)
Japan · Tokyo
International Seafood Sourcing
Processed Seafood
HS 0304
🔒 LOCKED
Aeon Co. Ltd — Fresh Fish Dept.
Japan · Chiba (Tokyo Metro)
Head of Seafood Merchandising
+81 43 212-6300
🔒 LOCKED
Kato Sangyo Co., Ltd.
Japan · Osaka
Seafood Import Division
+81 6 6271-0201
🔒 LOCKED
Yamako Corporation
Japan · Nagoya
India Shrimp Sourcing Manager

Access All 55+ Japanese Seafood Buyers

Full emails · Phone numbers · HACCP requirements · Annual import volumes · Buyer certification preferences

View All Contacts on EximHub

Japan Seafood Import by Category (from India)

ProductHS CodeKey Japanese BuyersVolume (India→Japan)Key Requirement
Vannamei Shrimp (frozen)0306.17Nissui, Maruha Nichiro, Nippon Suisan$280M+/yearBAP, HACCP, OTC-free
Black Tiger Shrimp0306.16Kato Sangyo, Yamako, Aeon$80M+/yearMPEDA cert, EIC Health Cert
Squid (frozen)0307.43Toyo Suisan, Seven & i Holdings$35M+/yearJapan PLS compliance
Cuttlefish0307.99Trading cos., izakaya suppliers$25M+/yearTemperature log, HACCP
Fish Fillets (frozen)0304Maruha Nichiro, retail chains$20M+/yearSpecies labeling (strict in JP)
Dried Fish / Anchovies0305Specialty importers, food service$10M+/yearMoisture content cert, no aflatoxin

Shipping: India → Japan (Seafood)

Origin PortJapan PortTransit (Reefer)Freight (40ft reefer)Notes
Nhava Sheva (Mumbai)Yokohama / Tokyo18–22 days$3,500–5,000Requires reefer container (-18°C)
Kochi / MangaloreOsaka / Kobe20–24 days$3,200–4,800Good for south India processors
VisakhapatnamTokyo / Nagoya16–20 days$3,000–4,500Shortest transit from AP processors

How to Qualify as a Japanese Seafood Supplier

1. Register with MPEDA first

All Indian seafood exporters must be registered with the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA). MPEDA registration is also your gateway to Japan's GSP tariff preferences (0% duty on shrimp vs. 3.5% general rate). Registration costs ₹5,000 and takes 2–4 weeks.

2. Get a Japan-compliant HACCP audit

Japan's HACCP requirements differ from Codex HACCP in specific areas (particularly critical control points for vibrio and listeria in shrimp). Engage a Japan-experienced food safety consultant to prepare your HACCP plan. SGS and Bureau Veritas both offer Japan seafood HACCP audit services from Indian offices.

3. Send samples with Lab Reports attached

Japanese buyers will not evaluate your product without accredited laboratory test reports for: antibiotic residues (OTC, chloramphenicol, nitrofurans), heavy metals (mercury, cadmium, lead), and microbiological parameters. Use NABL-accredited labs in India (CIFT Kochi, ICAR-CIFE Mumbai). Cost: ₹8,000–25,000 per test panel.

Related Export Guides

Frequently Asked Questions

What Indian seafood products does Japan import most?
Japan's top Indian seafood imports: frozen vannamei shrimp, black tiger shrimp, squid, cuttlefish, and frozen fish fillets. Japan is India's #2 shrimp export market after the USA — importing $450M+ annually. Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat are the primary producing states.
What are Japan's food safety requirements for Indian seafood?
Japan enforces strict standards via MHLW. Requirements: HACCP certification, zero residue of oxytetracycline and chloramphenicol, Japan's Positive List System for veterinary drug residues, and mandatory MHLW-approved laboratory testing. Non-compliant shipments are destroyed at the importer's cost.
What certifications do Japanese seafood importers require from Indian suppliers?
Required: MPEDA registration, HACCP plant approval, Health Certificate from Export Inspection Council India, Certificate of Origin (GSP Form A). Recommended: ASC or MSC certification for premium buyers; BAP (Best Aquaculture Practices) for large trading companies.
What are standard payment terms for Japanese seafood buyers?
Letters of Credit (90–180 day usance LC) are standard for large buyers. Trading companies: 60–90 day DP or DA after B/L. Direct retail buyers: 45–60 days open account. Always get ECGC cover for Japan transactions above $50,000.
How do I find Japanese seafood buyers as an Indian exporter?
Primary channels: (1) EximHub's verified Japanese buyer database with direct procurement contacts, (2) Japan Fisheries Association (JFIA) directory, (3) MPEDA buyer-seller meets in Japan (Tokyo Seafood Show), (4) JETRO buyer-matching program. Cold outreach to Japanese buyers requires patience — response time averages 3–6 weeks.