JAL and ANA Cargo Rules for Shipping Human Remains From Japan

Only Licensed Funeral Directors Can Book This Cargo

A family cannot book air cargo space for human remains directly with Japan Airlines (JAL), All Nippon Airways (ANA), or any other carrier. Under TSA regulations, all human remains shipments originating in or arriving at a US port must be tendered by a registered "Known Shipper" — a licensed funeral director or freight forwarder who is in the TSA's verified shipper database.

This requirement exists because human remains are classified under IATA cargo code "HUM" and handled under Category 6.2 dangerous goods protocols. The Known Shipper designation certifies that the individual or company has undergone TSA background verification and follows specific security procedures for cargo originating at their facility.

In practice, the family's Japanese mortuary provider coordinates with a licensed freight forwarder or international funeral director who holds Known Shipper status. The family does not interact with the airline cargo department directly.

JAL Cargo: What They Require

Japan Airlines handles human remains shipments through its cargo division. Requirements include:

Document package (must be complete before cargo space is reserved):

• Certified local death certificate (Shibou Shindansho or Shitai Ken'ansho)
• Embalming certificate from the mortuary provider
• Consular Mortuary Certificate from the US Embassy
• Transit permit from the destination state or municipality
• Communicable disease affidavit confirming the cause of death was not a quarantinable illness
• Air waybill designating the cargo as high-priority ("PRIO FREIGHT")

Casket specifications: The remains must be enclosed in a hermetically sealed inner metal container (typically zinc-lined) that prevents fluid or odor escape. This inner container sits inside a sturdy outer shipping box made of wood, reinforced metal, or heavy-grade material. The outer container must be labeled "HEAD" on the appropriate end to guide cargo handlers during aircraft loading.

Booking lead time: Cargo space must be reserved 48–72 hours before the requested departure. This lead time allows the airline to verify documents, allocate hold space on a suitable wide-body aircraft, and coordinate ground handling at both ends.

Aircraft restrictions: Standard caskets can only be transported in the cargo hold of wide-body aircraft. JAL's wide-body fleet (Boeing 777 and 787) operates on its major international routes including Tokyo Narita/Haneda to major US airports. Regional jets and narrow-body aircraft on domestic feeder routes may not accommodate standard casket dimensions.

ANA Cargo: Key Differences

ANA's cargo division handles human remains under similar but not identical policies:

Route restrictions: ANA cargo regulations prohibit human remains transport on certain feeder routes, and specific transit hubs may decline human remains under general cargo terms depending on local regulations. The freight forwarder must confirm that the selected routing accepts human remains cargo at every segment.

Priority designation: ANA uses its own freight priority system. The air waybill should request "PRIO FREIGHT" or equivalent high-priority handling to ensure the casket is loaded rather than bumped for commercial cargo on a full flight.

Prepayment: All cargo rates for human remains must be prepaid. No COD, no billing on arrival. The freight forwarder arranges payment before the casket is accepted at the cargo terminal.

Cost and Transit Time

Air cargo rates for intact human remains from Japan to the United States depend on the route, the total weight of the casket plus outer container, and the carrier. The full-body repatriation pathway is estimated at $9,700–$16,500, including the major preparation and transport costs. Obtain an itemized quote showing the separate freight, terminal handling, embalming, casket, and coordination charges.

Transit time from cargo acceptance in Japan to arrival at the US destination airport is typically 1–2 days for direct flights. Add 1–2 days for ground handling and customs clearance at the US port of entry. The US-based funeral home receives the remains at the cargo terminal after clearing CBP inspection.

What Happens at the US Port of Entry

When the casket arrives, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers inspect the cargo and accompanying paperwork. They verify:

• The Consular Mortuary Certificate is present and valid
• The death certificate confirms the cause of death was not a quarantinable communicable disease (Ebola, plague, yellow fever, cholera, infectious tuberculosis)
• The casket is intact with no visible leakage, damage, or odor

If the death was caused by a quarantinable disease, the remains cannot be imported intact — they must either be cremated before shipment or accompanied by a special import permit from the CDC Director.

If the casket shows damage or fluid leakage at the cargo terminal, CBP contacts the local CDC Quarantine Station for intervention and sanitization protocols. This is rare with properly sealed caskets but can delay release by hours or days.

The American Dies in Japan — Family Emergency Guide covers the full cargo booking process, document preparation, and the specific airline policies that apply to Japan–US repatriation routes.