Ocean & Air Freight Shipping from Ethiopia to the United States

Ethiopia has a fast-growing economy and boasts a strategic position in the Horn of Africa. Because of this, it’s become a key trade partner for the United States. Trade between the two nations has evolved significantly, spanning industries like agriculture, textiles, energy, and infrastructure.

This partnership has helped open new avenues for American businesses and bolster the growth of Ethiopia’s economy. In 2022, Ethiopia exported $718 million worth of goods to the US, seeing a 19.4% increase from the previous year and up 292% from the last decade.

If you need to ship goods from Ethiopia to the US, you've come to the right place. This guide will cover everything you need to know for a successful shipment.

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

Ocean freight and air freight are the two ways you can ship goods from Ethiopia to the US.

Ocean Freight From Ethiopia to the United States

Ocean freight is the most popular shipping option because of its affordability and flexibility. It can accommodate any type of cargo and offers shippers two options for container shipping: less-than-container load (LCL) and full-container load (FCL).

LCL is used by shippers of small cargo. Their goods will be consolidated with shipments belonging to other shippers and shipped together in one container. Each shipper only needs to pay for the space their goods occupy, making this an economical choice for small volumes of goods.

FCL is where a shipper rents the space in an entire container for their goods alone. This gives them more space, control, and security for their cargo. FCL is best for large, heavy, or oversized goods.

Air Freight from Ethiopia to the United States

You can ship from Ethiopia to the US by air to achieve a faster shipping experience. An air freight shipment only takes a couple of days to complete, making it ideal for time-sensitive and perishable cargo.

This is also the most secure mode of shipping, with strict airport regulations and processes helping guarantee the safety of goods during transit. Air freight is then best for high-value cargo.

However, it’s not without its cons. Air freight can get significantly expensive, but it’s not as flexible as ocean freight. It can’t accept all types of goods and puts limits on your shipment’s size, volume, and weight.

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

The cost of shipping cargo from Ethiopia to the US will depend on a couple 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 Ethiopia to the US:

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

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

• The season (whether it's peak or low season)
• The directness of the shipment route
• How popular the trade lane is
• Geopolitical instability
• Potential incidents at the ports

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

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

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

It will take 2-8 days for air freight cargo to arrive at its US destination.

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

Customs Clearance in Ethiopia and the United States

When your goods land in a US port or airport, the next step is going through the customs clearance process. This will require you to 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

If it’s your first time shipping and you need examples of these documents, take a look at our full documents list.

Should You Choose Ocean Freight or Air Freight?

Now it’s time to decide whether to ship via ocean or air freight. This decision should weigh your needs, priorities, and cargo requirements carefully. Here are some pointers to help you out.

Ocean Freight

Ocean freight is the right option if you are shipping on a budget or transporting cargo with special handling and transport requirements. It can accommodate any type of goods without putting a dent in your wallet. It even allows you to further optimize your shipment with two options for container shipping.

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 best 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

If you need to get your cargo from Ethiopia to the US quickly, air freight is your best bet. This mode of shipping is fast, only taking a couple of days to complete, making it suitable for time-sensitive and perishable goods.

It’s also the most secure way to transport cargo. Since airports have stricter rules and procedures than seaports, air freight can better guarantee the safety of your high-value goods during transit.

However, there are two cons to air freight. The first is its cost, with shipping fees significantly higher than ocean freight. The second is its lack of flexibility, unable to transport cargo of all types, volumes, sizes, and weights.

Ocean Cargo Port Guide

Cargo ports of origin in Ethiopia

Modjo Dry Port

The Modjo Dry Port is Ethiopia’s major inland port, located 75 kilometers from Addis Ababa, its capital city. It started operations in 2009 and boasts a container handling capacity of 700. The port plans to develop into Ethiopia’s premier logistics hub.

Semera Dry Port

The Semera Dry Port started its operations in 2010. It is located 558 kilometers from the capital city of Ethiopia and handles the shipment of automobiles and other vehicles. It spans 160 hectares of land, 3 hectares of which are used for container terminal services.

Dire Dawa Dry Port

The Dire Dawa Dry Port houses a container terminal, warehouse, administrative offices and spaces, and direct railway links. In 2020, the port began expanding to increase its handling capacity to 100,000 containers.

Cargo ports of arrival in the United States

Port of South Louisiana

The Port of South Louisiana handles over 248.1 million short tonnes of cargo per year. It’s in charge of 60% of all grain cargo handling in the Midwest and 25% of all oil cargo that moves across the US. It’s one of the country’s biggest and most widespread ports, spanning 54 miles.

Port of Corpus Christi

The Port of Corpus Christi is a popular port, known for its energy conservation blueprint. In fact, it’s one of the few ports in the US with such an initiative. The port handles over 200 million tonnes of cargo every year and is a major terminal for crude oil and gas shipments.

Port of Long Beach

The Port of Long Beach handles over 80-85 million metric tonnes of cargo per year, growing 25% in the last decade. 3.2 kilometers of its land area is used for container operations, which have a value of over $56 billion.

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

Airports of origin in Ethiopia

Bole Addis Ababa International Airport

The Bole Addis Ababa International Airport is located in the Bole district in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 6 kilometers southeast of the city center. It was formerly known as the Haile Selassie I International Airport. The airport is a hub for Ethiopian Airlines, National Airways Ethiopia, Abyssinian Flight Services, and Trans Nation Airways.

Airports of arrival in the United States

Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport

The Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport is located in Anne Arundel County in the US state of Maryland, just 9 miles south of downtown Baltimore. It is one of the three airports that serve the Washington-Baltimore metropolitan area. The airport handles over 244,000 metric tonnes of cargo per year and is a hub for Trans States Airlines, AirTran JetConnect, MetroJet, and Piedmont Airlines.

Charlotte Douglas International Airport

The Charlotte Douglas International Airport serves Charlotte in the US state of North Carolina. It is 6 miles west of the city’s central business district. The airport is primarily used for commercial and military purposes in the Charlotte metropolitan area. It is a hub for American Airlines, PSA Airlines, US Airways, and more.

Salt Lake City International Airport

The Salt Lake City International Airport is a civil-military airport located 4 miles west of downtown Salt Lake City in the US state of Utah. It sees over 319,000 aircraft movements and handles 357 million pounds of cargo per year. The airport is a hub for Delta Air Lines, SkyWest Airlines, Delta Connection, and more.

Why Ship From Ethiopia to the United States With iContainers?

Shipping cargo requires considering various factors, such as the season, the size of the cargo, the shipping method, and the origin and destination.

With years of industry expertise, iContainers combines traditional freight forwarding services with advanced technology for your convenience. Our digital platform allows you to oversee your entire shipment—from requesting a quote to booking and tracking your cargo—all from your mobile device.

Feel free to contact us for a free quote at any time. We are always available to provide the information you need.