Ocean & Air Freight Shipping From Bangladesh to the United States

Bangladesh is emerging as an essential player in South Asia, forming economic ties with the United States to help shape its development. Trade between the two nations is dynamic and growing. In fact, in 2023, Bangladesh exported $8.3 billion worth of goods to the U.S., up 55% from the last decade. 

You've come to the right guide if you need to ship goods from Bangladesh to the United States. Here, we explain your ocean and air freight shipping options, customs clearance, costs, transit times, and more. 

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

To ship goods from Bangladesh to the United States, you can use ocean or air freight. 

Ocean Freight From Bangladesh to the United States

Ocean freight is the most cost-effective and flexible way to ship goods from Bangladesh to the United States. It can accommodate almost all types of cargo and even offers you two options for container shipping. These are less than the container load (LCL) and full container load (FCL). 

LCL is best for small shipments because it involves the consolidation process. Your goods will be consolidated with cargo belonging to other shippers and shipped together in one container. That way, you only have to pay for the space for your goods. 

FCL, on the other hand, is for when you’re shipping larger cargo. You rent the space in an entire container for your goods alone, giving you more control and security for your shipment. While more expensive than LCL, you can maximize what you’re paying with FCL if you fill the container to the brim. 

Air Freight from Bangladesh to the United States

Your other option for shipping freight from Bangladesh to the United States is air freight, which many shippers love because of its speed. It’s the fastest mode of international shipping, but it’s also the most expensive. Air freight is particularly beneficial for shippers of time-sensitive, perishable, and high-value goods as air freight has the benefit of speed and security. 

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

The cost of shipping cargo from Bangladesh to the United States depends 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

If you need an estimate of your shipping costs, use our online freight costs calculator. The table below also shows the current cost of shipping a standard 20-foot container from Bangladesh to Dhaka:

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

The transit time for goods shipped from Bangladesh to the US is mainly determined by your selected international shipping method. However, other influencing factors include:

• The season of shipment (peak or low season)
• Whether the shipment route is direct or not
• The trade lane's popularity
• Geopolitical instability
• Possible incidents at any port

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

Ocean freight from Bangladesh to the United States will take about 15 to 50 days.

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

Air freight from Bangladesh to the United States will take 2-8 days.

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

Customs Clearance in Bangladesh and the United States

When your goods reach the United States, they will go through customs clearance. For this, you will need to have prepared and submitted the following paperwork: 

• 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

We have a full documents list that you can take a look at for examples of each customs clearance requirement. 

Should You Choose Ocean Freight or Air Freight?

The choice between ocean and air freight should be made based on your needs, priorities, and cargo requirements. To help you decide, we outline some pointers below. 

Ocean Freight

If you value cost-efficiency and flexibility, you should choose to ship by sea. Ocean freight can accommodate any type of cargo you need to transport from Bangladesh to the United States. It also gives you the liberty of choosing between two modes of container shipping. 

Considerations for LCL Freight Shipping

You should go with LCL 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 more suited 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

If your ultimate priority is getting your goods from Bangladesh to the United States as fast as possible, you should go for air freight. Air freight only takes 2-8 days to complete a shipment, making it best for those shipping time-sensitive or perishable cargo. 

It’s also the most secure mode of shipping as airports have stricter processes and security that can ensure the safety of your cargo while in transit. 

It’s worth noting, however, that air freight can get significantly more expensive than ocean freight. It’s also not able to accommodate all types of cargo and limits the size, weight, and volume of goods you can transport by air. 

Ocean Cargo Port Guide

Cargo ports of origin in Bangladesh

Port of Dhaka

The Port of Dhaka is located in the southern part of Dhaka, which is Bangladesh's largest and capiinl city. It is one of the busiest ports in the city, especially for passenger traffic. The port also has a container terminal for ocean-growing ships. 

Port of Pangaon

The Port of Pangaon is the first-ever river port of its kind in Bangladesh. It is located in Keraniganj Upazila. The port serves as Dhaka’s cargo port, handling 116,000 TEUs annually. It boasts a container ward that measures 55,000 square meters and has a storage capacity of 3,500 TEUs. 

Port of Barisal

The Port of Barisal, also known as the Barisal River Port, is Bangladesh's busiest and second-largest river port. It is a vital transportation system that links different parts of Bangladesh through waterways. 

Cargo ports of arrival in the United States

Port of Miami

The Port of Miami is the closest harbor to the Panama Canal, making it a very important port in the United States. It’s also the only port in the country that can handle neo-Panamax vessels, enabling it to accommodate cargo and cruise ships alike. 

Port of Houston

The Port of Houston is hailed as the fastest-developing American port. It ranks seventh in the entire nation in terms of total amount of cargo handled. It is in charge of handling 70% of annual container traffic in the U.S. Gulf Coast. 

Port of Savannah

The Port of Savannah is a major port located on the East Coast of the United States. It’s the nation's fourth busiest port and houses the biggest container terminal in the Western Hemisphere. 

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

Airports of origin in Bangladesh

Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport

The Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport is the main international airport in Bangladesh's capital city, Dhaka. It is also the largest airport in the country, located in Kurmintola, 17 kilometers from the city center. 

Airports of arrival in the United States

Chicago O'Hare International Airport

The Chicago O'Hare International Airport serves Chicago, Illinois. It is 17 miles northwest of the Loop business district. The airport handles over 1.9 million metric tonnes of goods annually and is a hub for United Airlines, American Airlines, Spirit Airlines, and more. 

Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport

The Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport is the primary airport serving the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex in the North Texas region. It is a hub for American Airlines, Spirit Airlines, Envoy Air, and more. The airport handles more than 774,000 tonnes of cargo per year. 

Philadelphia International Airport

The Philadelphia International Airport is the primary airport serving Philadelphia in the state of Pennsylvania. It is the 21st busiest airport in the United States and serves as a hub for American Airlines, US Airways, PSA Airlines, and more.