Ocean & Air Freight Shipping from Cambodia to the United States

The exchange of goods between Cambodia and the United States is growing steadily, and this trade relationship continues to expand over the years.

Cambodia is quickly becoming an important player in various industries, from textiles and garments to agriculture. This makes it a source of affordable, high-quality products for the US, ultimately becoming its crucial partner in Southeast Asia.

In 2022, Cambodia exported $13 billion worth of goods to the US. Among the top commodities shipped include trunks and cases, knit sweaters, and semiconductor devices.

To ship from Cambodia to the US with ease and confidence, you need to be aware of how the entire process works, starting with your ocean and air freight shipping options. This guide provides insights.

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

You can ship freight from Cambodia to the United States in two ways: ocean freight and air freight.

Ocean Freight From Cambodia to the United States

The most popular shipping option is ocean freight. Shippers like it because of its affordability and flexibility. It can transport any type of cargo and even allows shippers to optimize their shipments with two options for container shipping: less-than-container load (LCL) and full-container load (FCL).

LCL is for small cargo. Here, goods belonging to different shippers are consolidated and shipped together in one container. Each shipper only pays for the space their goods occupy, making it an economical shipping option.

FCL is for larger cargo. The shipper rents the space in a container for their goods alone, giving them more room for larger, heavyweight shipments. Because FCL provides them more space, control, and security for their cargo, it’s ideal for goods requiring more specialized handling.

Air Freight from Cambodia to the United States

Air freight is another way to ship goods from Cambodia to the US. Considered the fastest shipping option, it can get your cargo to its destination in a matter of days. This makes air freight highly preferred by those shipping time-sensitive and perishable cargo.

This is also the most secure mode of transport, perfect for high-value goods. Stricter regulations in airports can help guarantee cargo security throughout the process.

But air freight isn’t perfect. Some of its cons include its cost and lack of flexibility. While being more expensive than ocean freight, it’s less flexible and unable to ship all cargo types, sizes, weights, and volumes.

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

The cost to ship cargo from Cambodia to the US will differ depending on the following factors:

• 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

Use our online freight costs calculator to get an estimate of your shipping costs. The table below provides the current cost for shipping a standard 20-foot container from Cambodia to the US:

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

Shipping goods from Cambodia to the US vary 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 Cambodia to the United States?

Ocean freight from Cambodia to the US will take 15-50 days.

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

Air freight from Cambodia to the US is much faster, taking between 2 and 8 days.

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

Customs Clearance in Cambodia and the United States

When your goods arrive at a US port or airport, it will go through the customs clearance process, which requires the following documents:

• 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, refer to our full documents list.

Should You Choose Ocean Freight or Air Freight?

Now it’s time to decide whether to ship by sea or by air. This decision should carefully weigh your needs, priorities, and cargo requirements.

Ocean Freight

Ocean freight is excellent for those who value cost efficiency and flexibility. Aside from being the more affordable option, it can accommodate any type of cargo, whether small, large, light, or heavy, that needs to be transported from Cambodia to the US.

If you’re going with ocean freight, you must decide whether to ship via LCL or FCL when opting for ocean freight.

Considerations for LCL Freight Shipping

LCL is suitable 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 a much better fit for cargo that 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

When you need to get cargo from Cambodia to the US quickly, air freight is your friend. This is the fastest mode of international shipping, able to get goods to their destination in a matter of days. It’s also the most secure, with strict airport processes helping guarantee cargo security.

All these factors considered, air freight is a good option for time-sensitive, perishable, or high-value cargo.

But this shipping option has its cons. Air freight can be expensive, with shipping fees significantly higher than ocean freight. It’s also not as flexible and cannot accommodate all cargo types, sizes, weights, and volumes.

Ocean Cargo Port Guide

Cargo ports of origin in Cambodia

Sihanoukville Autonomous Port

The Sihanoukville Autonomous Port is Cambodia’s premier port. Spread across 125 hectares, it’s the busiest port in the country. It has a network of road and railway connections and handles a range of cargo types. Its annual cargo capacity is 3.4 million tonnes.

Port of Phnom Penh

The Port of Phnom Penh is located in Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s capital city. It’s a river port that receives ships coming from the South China Sea. The port can accommodate big vessels weighing up to 2000 DWT. It has two terminals, including Port 1 and Port 2.

Port of Koh Kong

The Port of Koh Kong is a provincial port that can accommodate ships weighing up to 500 DWT. It is also a small port with limited services and can get congested. This port mainly exports fish, handling over 16,000 tonnes per year.

Cargo ports of arrival in the United States

Newark Port

The Newark Port is the number one port on the US East Coast. It’s made up of New York and New Jersey ports, together occupying the third position on the list of the busiest ports in the US. The port is undergoing development to increase its capacity and allow it to welcome the biggest vessels.

Port of Seattle

The Port of Seattle is the fifth busiest port in the US. Combined with the Port of Tacoma, it is the second busiest port on the West Coast. It’s ideal for the shipment of large and heavy cargo, such as vehicles.

Port of Miami

The Port of Miami is the closest harbor to the widened Panama Canal. It’s the only port in the US that can handle neo-Panamax vessels. The port can also accommodate cruise and cargo ships, making Miami a prime destination for cruises.

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

Airports of origin in Cambodia

Phnom Penh International Airport

The Phnom Penh International Airport is Cambodia's busiest cargo processing airport, handling over 38,700 tonnes of cargo in 2022. It’s also the largest airport in the country. The airport operates 24/7 and boasts modern cargo facilities, including a bonded warehouse and cold storage.

Techo International Airport

The Techo International Airport is currently under construction in the province of Kandal in Cambodia, located 30-40 kilometers south of Phnom Penh. It is expected to be operational by 2025 to serve as the main aviation hub in the capital.

Sihanoukville International Airport

The Sihanoukville International Airport has increased its cargo handling numbers, seeing a growth rate of 2.45% in recent years. It provides businesses access to the Special Economic Zone of Sihanoukville.

Airports of arrival in the United States

Memphis International Airport

Memphis International Airport is the second busiest cargo airport in the US. It serves as a major hub for FedEx, one of the world’s largest air cargo hubs. The airport's strategic location makes it convenient to ship goods quickly and efficiently.

Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport

The Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport is the third busiest cargo airport in the US. Handling over 2 million tonnes of cargo each year, it’s home to the UPS Worldport, the world’s latest package sorting facility.

Los Angeles International Airport

The Los Angeles International Airport is one of the world's busiest airports and the fourth busiest cargo airport in the US. Every year, it handles over 2 million tonnes of cargo. It’s a central hub for international trade, with the world’s largest airfreight companies using its facilities.

Why Ship From Cambodia to the United States With iContainers?

Shipping cargo involves many factors, such as the season, the shipment size, the shipping method, and the origin and destination.

With extensive industry experience, iContainers offers traditional freight forwarding services enhanced with modern technology for customer convenience. Our digital platform lets you manage your entire shipment—from requesting a quote to booking and tracking your cargo—all from your mobile device.

Contact us anytime for a free quote. We are always ready to provide you with the information you need.