Ocean & Air Freight Shipping From Austria to the United States

Despite being miles and miles apart, Austria and the United States share a dynamic trade relationship spanning various industries, from pharmaceuticals to machinery. In 2022, Austria exported $14.4 billion worth of goods to the US, with the top commodities comprising cars and spark-ignition engines, among others. 

If you need to ship goods from Austria to the US, you’ve come to the right place. Here, we provide you with a complete guide to your ocean and air freight options and cover aspects like customs clearance, transit times, costs, and more. 

What Are the Options for Shipping Freight From Austria to the United States?

Your options for shipping freight from Austria to the US are ocean and air freight.

Ocean Freight From Austria to the United States

Ocean freight is the most popular shipping option and is well-liked by shippers because of its affordability and flexibility. In addition to accommodating any type of cargo, ocean freight offers two options for container shipping: less-than-container load (LCL) and full container load (FCL), allowing shippers to optimize their shipments to suit their needs and budgets. 

LCL is used by those with small shipping needs. Here, their cargo is consolidated with shipments from other sellers and transported in one container. Each shipper only pays for the pace their cargo occupies, making it a highly economical option. 

FCL is used by those with larger shipments. They rent the space in an entire container for their goods alone, giving them more cargo space, control, and security. FCL might be more expensive than LCL, but it can give you your money’s worth if you can maximize the unit space. 

Air Freight from Austria to the United States

The other way to ship goods from Austria to the US is by air, which is hailed as the fastest mode of international transport. An air freight shipment only takes a few days to complete, so shippers prefer it for time-sensitive and perishable cargo. 

It’s also the most secure way to transport goods, with strict airport regulations and processes helping guarantee the security of high-value goods during transit. 

Despite its pros, air freight has some disadvantages. The first is its cost, which is significantly more expensive than ocean freight. The second is its strict limitations. It’s not flexible to different types of cargo and limits your shipment’s weight, size, and volume. 

How Much Does it Cost to Ship Cargo From Austria to the United States?

The cost of shipping goods from Austria to the US will depend on plenty of factors. These include: 

• Your choice of ocean or air shipping
• Your preference for door-to-door, port-to-port, port-to-door, or door-to-port shipment
• Your consignment’s weight, volume, and size
• Weight and size limits

For an accurate estimate of your shipping costs, utilize our freight costs calculator. Below, you'll find the current cost for shipping a standard 20-foot container from Austria to the US:

How long does it take to ship cargo from Austria to the United States?

Shipping goods from Austria to the US varies in transit time, primarily based on your international shipping mode. Additional factors impacting this include:

• The shipping season (peak or low)
• The directness of the shipment's route
• The popularity of the trade lane
• Geopolitical issues
• Potential incidents at ports

How long does it take to ship cargo by sea from Austria to the United States?

Ocean freight from Austria to the US takes between 15-50 days. 

How long does it take to ship cargo by air from Austria to the United States?

Transporting goods by air takes 2-8 days from Austria to the US. 

For the most accurate estimate, we recommend using our transit time calculator.

Customs Clearance in Austria and the United States

When your goods arrive in a US port or airport, they will go through the customs clearance process. This requires that you have the following documents ready: 

• A commercial invoice
• A packing list
• A certificate of origin
• A letter of credit or other payment terms (depending on the contract between the parties involved)
• A bill of lading for ocean freight or an Airway Bill for air freight

If you need examples of each customs clearance requirement, you can refer to our full documents list. 

Should You Choose Ocean Freight or Air Freight?

Choosing between ocean freight and air freight should take into consideration your needs, priorities, and the requirements of your cargo. Here are some pointers to help you make the right decision. 

Ocean Freight

Ocean freight is right for you if you value cost efficiency and flexibility. It can handle any type of cargo well without putting a dent in your budget. Moreover, it allows you to optimize your shipment with two options for container shipping. 

Considerations for LCL Freight Shipping

LCL is a good option for cargo that is: 

• Small in size and quantity 
• Lightweight
• Suitable for consolidation with cargo belonging to other shippers 
• Not delicate, fragile, or high-value 
• Not requiring special handling or movement 

Considerations for FCL Freight Shipping

FCL is better for you if your cargo is: 

• Large in size and quantity 
• Heavy or overweight
• Not suitable for consolidation with cargo belonging to other shippers 
• Delicate, fragile, or high-value 
• Requiring special handling or movement 

Air Freight

Air freight is made for shipments that need to get from Austria to the US fast. Only taking a couple of days, it’s a good option if you’re shipping time-sensitive or perishable cargo. If your goods are high-value, you’ll also appreciate air freight for its security. 

However, remember that this shipping option is the most expensive. It’s also not as flexible as ocean freight, unable to accommodate all cargo types, sizes, weights, and volumes. 

Ocean Cargo Port Guide

Cargo ports of origin in Austria

Port of Vienna

The Port of Vienna is located in Austria's capital and biggest city. It was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005 and has since grown into an essential hub for trade. The port is the biggest in the country, handling over 12 million tonnes of cargo annually. 

Port of Linz

The Port of Linz is located in one of the biggest cities in Upper Austria. It’s the third largest river port in the region, making it an essential hub for transporting cargo. The port mainly handles chemicals, coal, project cargo, steel, and timber, seeing over 5.5 million tonnes of cargo per year.

Port of Krems

The Port of Krems is a small facility located at the confluence of the Danube and Krems rivers in the northeastern region of Austria. It is a center for trade surrounded by chemical and metal factories and industries. The port boasts a grain terminal that can hold over 20,000 tonnes of grains. 

Cargo ports of arrival in the United States

Port of Savannah 

The Port of Savannah is a major port on the East Coast, ranking fourth out of all the ports in the US. It has the biggest container terminal in the Western Hemisphere, making it a good option to ship large and heavy cargo. 

Port of Houston 

The Port of Houston is the fastest-developing American port. It ranks seventh in the country in terms of total amount of cargo. The port handles 70% of the US Gulf Coast’s container traffic per year. 

Port of Miami

The Port of Miami is the closest harbor to the widened Panama Canal. It’s an important port in the nation, being the only one that can handle neo-Panamax vessels. This means that the port can welcome both cruise and cargo ships. 

Air Freight from Austria to the United States: An airport guide

Airports of origin in Austria

Vienna International Airport

The Vienna International Airport serves the capital city of Austria, Vienna. It is located 18 kilometers southeast of central Vienna and 57 kilometers west of Bratislava, Slovakia’s capital city. The airport is a hub for Austrian Airlines, Air Sylhet, and Eurowings Europe.

Graz Airport

Graz Airport is an international airport serving southern Austria. It is located near Graz, the country's second-largest city. The airport handles over 19,000 metric tonnes of cargo per year and is a hub for Mali Air, Styrian Spirit, Robin Hood Aviation, and Fairline.

Linz Airport

Linz Airport is a minor international airport in Hörsching, close to Linz, Austria’s third-largest city. The airport is a hub for Globeair, Amerer Air, and Daedalus Flugbetriebs GmbH.

Airports of arrival in the United States

Indianapolis International Airport

The Indianapolis International Airport handles over 1.1 million metric tonnes of goods per year. Its dedicated cargo terminal operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The airport is home to the FedEx Express Global Hub, making it an important location for both domestic and international cargo operations. 

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport 

The Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport handles over 700,000 metric tonnes of goods annually. Its dedicated cargo terminal operates 24/7. Its location in the southern USA makes it an important hub for cargo operations to and from South America. 

Chicago O’Hare International Airport 

The Chicago O’Hare International Airport is an important hub for transatlantic trade. It handles over 1.8 million metric tonnes of goods per year. The airport boasts a modern cargo facility outfitted with advanced technology, including a fully automated cargo handling system.