Yamato Transport USA

What Yamato Transport USA does

Yamato Transport U.S.A., Inc. is the North American operating subsidiary of Yamato Holdings Co., Ltd., a Japanese logistics conglomerate founded in 1919 that holds approximately 46.7% market share in Japan's domestic parcel delivery market. Established in the United States in 1980 and headquartered in Compton, California, the subsidiary operates 24 branch offices across the U.S. (including Hawaii), two offices in Canada, and one office in Mexico, serving individual consumers, Japanese expatriates, corporate accounts, and cross-border e-commerce sellers.

The company's core products revolve around the TA-Q-BIN time-definite, door-to-door parcel delivery system—Yamato's flagship service in Japan since 1976 and extended to the U.S. for cross-border shipments to Japan and Asia. Service lines include International TA-Q-BIN (B2B, B2C, C2C tiers with standard, eco, besso/personal effects, and oversize variants), temperature-controlled Cool TA-Q-BIN, air and ocean freight forwarding (IATA-licensed since 1981, OTI-licensed since 1982), customs brokerage (via the 1984-established Yamato Customs Broker subsidiary, merged in 2002), international moving services, and Fulfillment by Yamato (FBY) for e-commerce sellers. The Y-Ship cloud-based shipping platform with API integration to Rakuten is the principal technology enabler, alongside proprietary tracking and the Haneda Chrono Gate terminal in Japan (established 2013) for international cargo processing.

Revenue mechanics are primarily transactional (per-package and per-shipment fees), supplemented by managed services for e-commerce fulfillment, professional services fees for customs brokerage, and contracted moving packages. Go-to-market is hybrid: direct enterprise sales for corporate accounts and e-commerce sellers, self-service via Y-Ship for SMBs and consumers, and channel distribution through handling agents (IACE Travel, Mitsuwa grocery stores) and UPS drop-off locations. Pricing varies by service tier, region of origin, size/weight, and includes variable fuel surcharges plus an Emergency Situation Surcharge.

Name

Yamato Transport USA

Legal name

Yamato Transport U.S.A., Inc.

Website

https://yamatoamerica.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1980

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Yamato Transport USA is the North American subsidiary of Japan's largest logistics company, operating 24 U.S. branches plus Canada and Mexico offices. It provides cross-border TA-Q-BIN parcel delivery, air/ocean freight forwarding, customs brokerage, international moving, and e-commerce fulfillment services primarily serving Japanese expatriates, e-commerce sellers shipping to Japan, and corporate accounts.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

International Parcel Delivery and Logistics Services

NAICS

Couriers and Express Delivery Services (49211), Freight Transportation Arrangement (4885), Freight Transportation Arrangement (488510), Warehousing and Storage (493)

SIC

Air Courier Services (4513), Arrangement Of Transportation Of Freight & Cargo (4731), Public Warehousing & Storage (4220)

akta.pro primary industry

Cross-Border Fulfillment & Distribution (In-Country Injection) (TLACAKAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Cross-Border Final-Mile Partner Networks & Delivery Management (TLACAKAH), International Returns & Reverse Logistics (Cross-Border) (TLACAKAE), E-commerce & Parcel Sortation Cross-Docks (TLALAFAB)

Keywords

• International parcel delivery
• Cross-border logistics
• Freight forwarding services
• Customs brokerage
• International moving

Headquarters

HQ city

Compton

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices26 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. International Parcel Delivery (TA-Q-BIN): Core revenue stream from international parcel delivery services including B2B, B2C, and C2C shipments from US/Canada/Mexico to Japan and Asia. Services include standard, eco, besso (personal effects), and oversize options with pricing based on size/weight tiers.
2. Air and Ocean Freight Forwarding: Freight forwarding services for air cargo (since 1981, IATA licensed) and ocean freight (since 1982, OTI licensed). Services include international shipping to/from US, Canada, Mexico and globally.
3. Customs Brokerage: Customs clearance and brokerage services for international shipments. Yamato Customs Broker U.S.A. established in 1984, providing import/export customs consulting.
4. International Moving Services: Full-service international relocation including standard service (full packing/indoor delivery), basic plan, and self-pack options (ship or air) for individuals and families relocating internationally.
5. Fulfillment by Yamato (FBY): Warehouse logistics and fulfillment services for e-commerce businesses shipping to Japan, including inventory management and order fulfillment.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Yamato Transport USA provides cross-border logistics and parcel delivery services from North America to Japan and Asia, anchored by the signature TA-Q-BIN time-definite door-to-door parcel delivery system. Core offerings include International TA-Q-BIN parcel delivery (B2B/B2C/C2C), global air and ocean freight forwarding, customs brokerage, international moving and relocation, e-commerce fulfillment (Fulfillment By Yamato), and temperature-controlled Cool TA-Q-BIN shipping for perishables and pharmaceuticals.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• TA-Q-BIN: International parcel delivery service (B2B, B2C, C2C) and temperature-controlled delivery service
• Fulfillment By Yamato (FBY)
• International EC Solutions (YIECS)
• Y-Ship

Products and services

• International TA-Q-BIN (B2B/B2C Parcel Delivery) Cross-border time-definite door-to-door parcel delivery service for businesses and consumers shipping from US, Canada, and Mexico to Japan and Asia. Includes standard, eco (economy), besso (separate shipment for personal effects), and oversize service tiers.
• International TA-Q-BIN (C2C Parcel Delivery) Consumer-to-consumer cross-border parcel delivery service designed for individuals sending packages, gifts, and personal effects from the US, Canada, and Mexico to Japan and other Asian destinations. Available via the Y-Ship online platform and handling agent network.
• Global Freight Forwarding / Supply Chain International air and ocean freight forwarding services for businesses shipping cargo between North America and global destinations. IATA-licensed for air cargo (since 1981) and OTI-licensed for ocean freight (since 1982), including NVOCC operations.
• International Moving Service Full-service international relocation for individuals, families, and corporate accounts moving between North America and Japan/Asia. Includes Standard Service (full packing and indoor delivery), Basic Plan, and Self-Pack options via ship or air.
• Fulfillment By Yamato (FBY) Warehouse logistics and order fulfillment services for e-commerce businesses selling products to Japanese and Asian consumers, including inventory management and end-to-end order processing.
• International EC Solutions (YIECS) E-commerce logistics solutions service line providing tailored cross-border shipping support for online merchants selling into Japan and Asian markets.
• Customs Brokerage Customs clearance and brokerage services for international shipments, providing import/export documentation, customs consulting, and inbound logistics support for businesses moving goods across borders.
• Cool TA-Q-BIN (Temperature-Controlled Delivery) Temperature-controlled international parcel delivery service for perishables, pharmaceuticals, and temperature-sensitive goods shipping between North America and Japan/Asia.

Quantifiable outcome

• 46.7% market share in Japan's parcel delivery market - #1 position
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• RakutencoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 19 September 2019Yamato's cloud-based shipping platform (Y-Ship) integrates with Rakuten's e-commerce platform, allowing Rakuten sellers to seamlessly ship orders to customers in Japan using Yamato's logistics services. The partnership includes joint seminars on 'How To Expand Your Business To Japan' and API integration between Rakuten RMS and Y-Ship.
• Neopost GroupminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Joint venture established in Japan for open parcel locker network (Packcity Japan), providing convenient collection/dropoff points for consumers.
• Deutsche Post DHL GroupminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2005Joint venture established in Japan in 2005 for marketing services (Yamato Dialogue and Media).
• Uni-President Enterprises CorporationminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2000Joint venture established in Taiwan for TA-Q-BIN parcel delivery service expansion in Taiwan.
• UPSminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1990Joint venture established in 1990 with UPS in USA and Japan. Air freight operation was separated to the joint venture but was dissolved in 2000.
• UPS (United Parcel Service)coreTechnology or IntegrationUPS handles all operations for shipments from Japan to the US under the International TA-Q-BIN service, including US customs clearance and local delivery. This partnership enables Yamato to offer bidirectional Japan-US shipping services.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves14 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Expeditors International: Large global freight forwarder with strong US presence; competes with Yamato's air/ocean freight forwarding arm on US–Asia trade lanes and customs brokerage.
• FedEx Cross-Border / FedEx Trade Networks: FedEx's cross-border and trade-services arm competes directly with Yamato's international parcel and customs offerings, especially for e-commerce merchants shipping into Japan.
• UPS Supply Chain Solutions (Cross-Border): Both a partner (last-mile/clearance) and a competitor of Yamato on US-domestic pickup, customs clearance, and final delivery for Japan-bound parcels; serves the same merchant cross-border needs at scale.
• DHL Express (US): Global integrator with full US domestic parcel capability plus international express; competes with Yamato on Japan–US B2B express and customs brokerage, but operates on a much broader service portfolio.

Direct peers

• Japan Post (EMS / USA-to-Japan parcel services): Japan's national postal operator offers EMS parcel delivery from the US to Japan, directly competing with International TA-Q-BIN on the core US-to-Japan parcel lane.
• Sagawa Express (Global Holdings / Sagawa USA): Sagawa is the #2 Japanese domestic parcel carrier and operates in the US cross-border-to-Japan lane with a similar focus on Japanese customers, expat communities, and B2B/B2C parcels routed to Japan — the closest functional comparator to Yamato Transport USA.
• Kintetsu World Express (APL Logistics / KWE): Japan-origin global freight forwarder with strong US presence; comparable in offering international air/ocean freight forwarding, customs, and supply-chain services between the US and Asia.
• Nippon Express USA: Another major Japan-headquartered logistics provider with deep US operations spanning air freight, ocean freight, and warehousing; competes with Yamato on Japan–US freight forwarding and supply-chain solutions.

Emerging players

• Aramex International: Middle East-origin international parcel/express and freight-forwarding specialist; comparable in being a national-champion express operator expanding globally with customs and e-commerce capabilities.
• S.F. Express (SF International): Leading Chinese-headquartered international express courier; parallels Yamato's model of a national champion expanding into the US to serve cross-border Asia trade, though China-routed rather than Japan-routed.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

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Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Yamato Transport USA