Ocean & Air Freight Shipping From Colombia to the United States

Colombia and the United States have a thriving trade relationship, at the heart of which is the US-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement implemented in 2012. Aiming to enhance trade and investment flows between the two nations, this agreement reduces tariffs and opens up new markets in the US for Colombia’s goods and services. 

In 2022, Colombia exported $18.5 billion worth of goods to the United States, a 40.3% increase from the previous year. Colombia’s strategic location in Latin America makes it a prime source of natural resources in the United States.

If you want to tap into the American market, you’ve come to the right place. Here’s your complete guide to ocean and air freight shipping from Colombia to the US.  

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

You can choose between ocean freight and air freight to ship freight from Colombia to the United States. 

Ocean Freight From Colombia to the United States

Ocean freight is the most popular because of its affordability and flexibility. It can accommodate any type of cargo you need to get to the US, and it offers two options for container shipping: less-than-container load (LCL) and full container load (FCL). 

Those with small shipping needs typically use LCL. Their goods will be consolidated with cargo belonging to other shippers and shipped together in one container. They only pay for their cargo's space, making it an economical ocean freight shipping option. 

FCL, on the other hand, is for those with large shipping needs. They rent the space in an entire container for their goods alone, allowing them to ship large, heavy items or fit large volumes of goods. 

Air Freight from Colombia to the United States

The other way to ship goods from Colombia to the United States is air freight. Known as the fastest international shipping mode, it’s ideal for those with time-sensitive and perishable shipments. It’s also the most secure, with strict airport regulations helping guarantee cargo safety. 

Air freight, however, costs significantly higher than ocean freight. It’s also less flexible and unable to accommodate all cargo types, sizes, weights, and volumes. 

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

The cost of shipping cargo from Colombia 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

To determine your shipping costs, use our online freight costs calculator. Additionally, you can find the current cost of shipping a standard 20-foot container from Colombia to the US in the table below:

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

The transit time for goods shipped from Colombia to the United States depends mainly on your selected international shipping mode. Additional factors influencing the transit time are:

• The shipping season (peak or low)
• Direct or indirect shipment route
• The trade lane's popularity
• Geopolitical instability
• Potential incidents at ports

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

Ocean freight from Colombia to the United States will take 15 to 50 business days. 

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

Air freight from Colombia to the United States can be done in an average of 2 to 8 business days. 

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

Customs Clearance in Colombia and the United States

When your goods arrive in the US, they will undergo customs clearance. This requires that you prepare and submit 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

Peruse our full documents list for examples of each customs clearance requirement. 

Should You Choose Ocean Freight or Air Freight?

Consider your needs, priorities, and cargo requirements when choosing between ocean and air freight. 

Ocean Freight

Ocean freight is right for you if you value cost efficiency and flexibility. With ocean freight, there’s virtually no limit to what you can ship, accommodating all cargo types. It even offers two options for container shipping so that you can find one most suitable for your needs. 

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 the better choice 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 you need your cargo to arrive in the United States quickly, you should ship by air. Air freight only takes 2 to 8 days to complete, making it best for time-sensitive and perishable goods. Shippers of high-value cargo also like air freight for its security. 

However, remember that air freight is the most expensive way to ship cargo overseas. It also has strict rules on the nature, size, weight, and volume of your shipment, often unable to accommodate all cargo types. 

Ocean Cargo Port Guide 

Cargo ports of origin in Colombia

Port of Barranquilla

The Port of Barranquilla is located along the Caribean Coast, specifically next to the mouth of the Magdalena River. It houses the most modern liquid bulk facility in Colombia, boasting Palermo tanks that can handle over 352,000 barrels of refined oil products and crude oil. 

Port of Cartagena

The Port of Cartagena, known locally as Puerto Cartagena, is the fourth largest port in Colombia. It handles over 80% of the region’s imports and 60% of exports. The port has the capacity to handle general cargo, containers, dry bulk, liquid bulk, and breakbulk. 

Port of Santa Marta

The Port of Santa Marta is located on the coast of the Caribbean Sea in Colombia. It’s one of the country’s premier ports, opening up trade routes within the Atlantic Ocean. The port can handle various types of cargo, from palm oil and fuel to carbon and grain. 

Cargo ports of arrival in the United States

Port of New York and New Jersey

The Port of New York and New Jersey is the largest natural harbor in the world, encompassing the entire coastal area of the New York Harbor. It spreads over 25 miles and handles over 41 million metric tonnes of general cargo and 45 million metric tonnes of bulk cargo per year. 

Port of Beaumont

The Port of Beaumont is an essential base for handling military goods and manufacturing products. It’s also a vital oil cargo port, handling 57% of total petroleum transport and 14% of gasoline cargo across the United States. 

Port of New Orleans

The Port of New Orleans connects the United States to other nations through a network of trading waterways spanning 14,500 miles. It is one of the busiest in the nation, seeing over 360,000 vessel calls every year and handling over 92.2 million metric tonnes of cargo annually. 

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

Airports of origin in Colombia

Jose Maria Cordova International Airport

The Jose Maria Cordova International Airport is in Rionegro City, 20 kilometers southeast of Medellin. It’s the second-largest airport in Colombia in terms of infrastructure. The airport is a hub for Avianca, LATAM Airlines Colombia, Viva Air Colombia, and more. 

El Dorado International Airport

The El Dorado International Airport serves Bogota, Colombia's capital, and its surrounding metros. It handles over 803,000 metric tonnes of cargo per year and is a hub for Avianca, LATAM Airlines, Wingo, Clic Air, SATENA, and more. 

Alfonso Bonilla Aragón International Airport

The Alfonso Bonilla Aragón International Airport, formerly Palmaseca International Airport, is located between Palmira and Cali in the Valle del Cauca Department of Colombia. Its yearly cargo tonnage is over 44,000 tonnes. 

Airports of arrival in the United States

Indianapolis International Airport

The Indianapolis International Airport is located in Marion County, Indiana, about 7 miles southwest of downtown Indianapolis. It handles over 983,000 metric tonnes of air cargo annually and is a hub for FedEx Express, Republic Airways, ATA Airlines, and more. 

John F Kennedy International Airport

The John F. Kennedy International Airport serves New York City and its metropolitan area in the state of New York. It is a focus city for JetBlue and Polar Air Cargo and a hub for Delta Air Lines, JetBlue, American Airlines, and more.

San Francisco Bay Oakland International Airport

The San Francisco Bay Oakland International Airport is located in Oakland, California, 7 miles south of downtown Oakland and 12 miles east of San Francisco. It serves the East Bay of the San Francisco Bay Area and is a hub for Southwest Airlines, FedEx Express, Ameriflight, and more.