Middle East trade
Middle East trade, in both directions
Importing from the Middle East, and exporting from Japan into it. We check the suppliers, get the documentation right, work out payment terms that protect both sides, and handle customs.
Importing from the Middle East
We import food raw materials, chemical raw materials and premium foods from the region into Japan. We deal with the supplier, the contract, the shipment and the Japanese side of customs and compliance. If this is your first time trading with the region, expect the document formats and inspection requirements to differ from what you are used to, which is why we check them at the start rather than at the port.
- Food raw materials and additives
- Industrial chemical raw materials
- Premium foods, including our own TIRAN brand
- Finding and checking suppliers in the region
Exporting from Japan to the Middle East
We also handle exports of Japanese food and materials into Middle Eastern markets. Regulations, required certificates and packaging rules vary by country. Food often needs halal treatment, and where certification is required we will coordinate with the certifying body as part of the job.
- Export of Japanese food products
- Arranging the certificates an export needs
- Handling cases where halal certification is required
- Setting terms with buyers in the region
Where we work
Other countries are possible depending on the product and the terms. Ask us.
What we check on Middle East business
Payment terms
On a first transaction we will propose a letter of credit or another structure that limits exposure on both sides. If the counterparty asks for prepayment, we look at whether that is reasonable and let you decide.
Documentation
Certificates of origin, invoices and inspection certificates take different forms by country and product. We confirm what the destination requires before the goods ship.
Legal and regulatory checks
We review supplier credentials, product specifications and supporting documentation before commercial commitment, against the Japanese and applicable foreign regulations that bear on the transaction. Where that cannot be established, we do not proceed.
Common questions
Which countries do you cover?
Mainly the UAE, Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman and Kuwait. Others are possible depending on the product and terms, so it is worth asking.
Do you have an office in the region?
Our only office is in Ginza, Tokyo. We work through partners and suppliers we have traded with before. Your point of contact stays in Japan, so there is no time difference or language gap to manage.
Can you handle halal certification?
We are not a certifying body, so we cannot issue certification ourselves. Where a job needs it, we coordinate with the certifier or source from a supplier who already holds it.
Are you stronger on import or export?
Both run through the same desk. In practice we get more inquiries about importing from the region, but exports from Japan are ongoing work for us too.
Tell us what you need
Send the specification and we will come back with what we can source, what it will take to clear it, and how it would ship.