Ocean & Air Freight Shipping From Argentina to the United States

The trade relationship between Argentina and the United States is continuously evolving. As one of the largest economies in South America, Argentina presents plenty of opportunities for the global powerhouse, the United States. 

In 2023, Argentina exported $6.4 billion worth of goods to the United States, showing a 39% increase from the previous decade. If you are looking to ship goods from Argentina to the U.S., here’s your complete guide to your ocean and air freight shipping options. 

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

You have two options for shipping freight from Argentina to the United States: ocean freight and air freight. 

Ocean Freight From Argentina to the United States

Ocean freight is a good option if you value cost efficiency and flexibility. Between the two, it’s the cheapest way to transport goods from Argentina to the United States. It can accommodate any type of cargo that you need to ship, whether small, large, light, or heavy.

Ocean freight also allows you to choose between two container shipping modes. You can ship via less than container load (LCL) or full container load (FCL). 

LCL is used by shippers with small shipping needs. Here, their goods will be consolidated with cargo belonging to other shippers and shipped together in one container. This makes it affordable, as each shipper only needs to pay for the space their goods occupy. 

FCL, on the other hand, is used by those with larger shipping requirements. They rent an entire container for their goods alone, giving them enough space for large volumes. Although more expensive than LCL, FCL can provide good value for money for those shipping heavyweight or big items. 

Air Freight from Argentina to the United States

Your second option for shipping goods from Argentina to the United States is air freight. This is the fastest mode of international transport, which is why it’s well-liked by those with time-sensitive or perishable shipments. 

Air freight is also much more secure than ocean freight, with strict airport regulations helping guarantee cargo security during transit. Thus, it's ideal for high-value shipments. 

The only drawbacks are its cost and lack of flexibility. Air freight is significantly more expensive than ocean freight. It also cannot accommodate all types of goods and limits their weight, size, and volume. 

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

The cost of shipping cargo from Argentina to the United States will depend on the following: 

• 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 estimate of your shipping costs, use our freight costs calculator online. The table below lists the current cost of shipping a standard 20-foot container from Argentina to the US:

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

The time it takes to ship goods from Argentina to the United States largely depends on the selected international shipping mode. However, the following factors also play a role:

• The season (peak or low) during which you ship
• Whether the shipment route is direct
• The popularity of the trade lane
• Geopolitical instability
• Incidents that might occur at ports

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

Ocean freight from Argentina to the United States will take 15 to 50 days to complete. 

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

Air freight from Argentina to the United States is much faster, only taking 2 to 8 days. 

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

Customs Clearance in Argentina and the United States

When our goods arrive in the U.S., they will undergo customs clearance. This involves preparing and submitting the required paperwork, which includes: 

• 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 these documents, you can look at our full documents list for customs clearance. 

Should You Choose Ocean Freight or Air Freight?

Now, it’s time to decide whether to ship via ocean or air freight. Your decision should be based on your needs, priorities, and the requirements of your cargo. Here are some pointers to help you choose a suitable mode of shipping. 

Ocean Freight 

Ocean freight is your best bet if you need more flexibility in your shipment or are shipping on a budget. It’s the cheapest way to ship goods from Argentina to the United States and can accommodate all types of goods. 

If you decide to ship by sea, note that you also need to choose your mode of container shipping. 

Considerations for LCL Freight Shipping

LCL is suitable for you if your cargo 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 might be a better fit for your shipment 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

If your priority is to get your goods to the United States fast, then you should ship by air. Air freight is the fastest way to transport cargo worldwide, making it a top choice for time-sensitive and perishable goods shippers. Those shipping high-value cargo also like it because of its security, with strict airport processes helping guarantee cargo safety during transit. 

Air freight is not best for all shippers, though, because of its cost and limitations. It's the most expensive way to transport goods overseas. It’s also not as flexible as ocean freight, with strict limits on the nature, weight, size, and volume of what you can transport. 

Ocean Cargo Port Guide

Cargo ports of origin in Argentina

Port of Buenos Aires

The Port of Buenos Aires is Argentina’s major seaport. Thanks to its maritime connections to other South American nations, it’s a main center for the country’s commercial, industrial, and cultural industries. The port helps sustain Buenos Aires’ status as the thirteenth most significant economy in the world. 

Port of Dock Sud

The Port of Dock Sud is a subsidiary facility of the Port of Buenos Aires, located only 50 kilometers apart. It assists in diverting increasing cargo traffic at the Buenos Aires port. The Port of Dock Sud handles over 8,000 TEUs per year. 

Port of Bahia Blanca

The Port of Bahia Blanca houses a wide range of port facilities spanning 30 kilometers in land area. It handles mostly dry cargo and liquid bulk, seeing over 112 million tonnes of freight and 1000 ships per year. 

Cargo ports of arrival in the United States

Port Everglades

The Port Everglades is located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. It is the foremost economic engine in South Florida, serving as a gateway for international trade. It handles the shipments of energy products, including jet fuel, gasoline, and alternative fuels. 

Port of Richmond

The Port of Richmond, located on the James River in Virginia, is also known as the Richmond Deepwater Terminal. It handles domestic and international multimodal freight and distribution. 

Port of Portland

The Port of Portland is located in Oregon, United States. It houses four marine terminals, including Oregon's only deep-draft container port. It manages five industrial parks and operates the Dredge Oregan, which maintains the lower Columbia and Willamette Rivers navigation channel. 

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

Airports of origin in Argentina

San Fernando International Airport

The San Fernando International Airport is located 2 kilometers southwest of the center of San Fernando, a northwest suburb of Buenos Aires in Argentina. Aeropuertos Argentina 2000 operates the airport. 

Ezeiza International Airport

The Ezeiza International Airport, also known as the Ministro Pistarini International Airport, is the primary international airport that serves Buenos Aires, the capital city of Argentina. It is a hub for AEROLINEAS ARGENTINAS S.A., Flybondi, and more. 

Airports of arrival in the United States

Perot Field Fort Worth Alliance Airport

The Perot Field Fort Worth Alliance Airport is 14 miles north of the Forth Worth central business district in Texas, United States. It caters to Amazon Air and is also home to the FedEx Express hub. 

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport

The Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is a civil-military public international airport. It’s located 3 miles east of downtown Phoenix in Maricopa County in Arizona. The airport handles over 350,000 tonnes of cargo per year. 

Denver International Airport

The Denver International Airport is located in the Western United States. It serves the metropolitan area of Denver in the state of Colorado and the greater Front Range Urban Corridor. The airport is a hub for United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Frontier Airlines, and more.