Ocean & Air Freight Shipping from Hungary to the United States

The trade relationship between Hungary and the United States is important, playing a role in connecting Central Europe with the world’s largest economies. The partnership spans various industries, from automotive to manufacturing and technology to pharmaceuticals.

In 2022, Hungary exported $5.7 billion in goods to the US, including cars, electric batteries, and computers. Hungarian exports to the US have increased at an annualized rate of 9.58% in the last 10 years.

In this article, we explain the entire process of shipping goods from Hungary to the US. We cover your shipping options, potential costs, transit times, and more.

What are the Options for Shipping Freight from Hungary to the United States?

You have two options for shipping goods from Hungary to the US: ocean freight and air freight.

Ocean Freight from Hungary to the United States

Ocean freight is a common way to ship goods from Hungary to the US. It’s the cheapest and most flexible mode of transport, able to accommodate all types of goods. Ocean freight offers two options for container shipping: less-than-container load (LCL) and full-container load (FCL).

LCL is used for small shipments. Here, goods belonging to different shippers are consolidated and transported together in one container. Each shipper only pays for their goods' space, making it an economical shipping option.

FCL is where a shipper rents the space in an entire container for their goods alone, which gives them more space, control, and security for their cargo. This is best for larger volumes of goods or commodities that are big and heavy.

Air Freight from Hungary to the United States

The other way to ship goods from Hungary to the US is by air. Air freight is the fastest and most secure way to transport goods overseas. Shipping only takes a couple of days, and strict airport security helps protect cargo during the process.

These make it best for time-sensitive, perishable, and high-value cargo. However, there are some cons associated with air freight. First is its cost, with shipping fees significantly higher than in ocean freight. The second is its lack of flexibility, unable to accommodate all cargo types, sizes, weights, and volumes.

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

The shipping fee for shipping goods from Hungary to the US 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

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 Hungary to the US:

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

The transit time for goods shipped from Hungary to the US 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 Hungary to the United States?

A shipment from Hungary to the US will take 15-50 days to complete.

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

Air freight from Hungary to the US will take 2-8 days.

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

Customs Clearance in Hungary and the United States

When your goods land in a US port or airport, they will be subject to the customs clearance process. This should be a breeze, provided you prepared and submitted 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

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

Should You Choose Ocean Freight or Air Freight?

When choosing between ocean or air freight, consider your needs, priorities, and cargo requirements. Here are some important pointers.

Ocean Freight

Ocean freight is for budget-conscious shippers or those transporting large, heavy, or voluminous items. It can accommodate all kinds of cargo, giving you more options for shipping. Consider whether to ship via LCL or FCL when going 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 better 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

Air freight is for those who need their cargo to arrive in the US fast. It only takes a couple of days to complete, perfect for time-sensitive and perishable cargo. It’s also the most secure mode of shipping, with strict airport regulations helping protect cargo during transit.

However, air freight has its cons. The first is that it can be significantly more expensive to ship by air than by sea. Second, air freight cannot accommodate all cargo types, with limits on the size, weight, and volume of shipments.

Ocean Cargo Port Guide

Cargo ports of origin in Hungary

Port of Baja

The Port of Baja is one of the busiest ports in Hungary. Its favorable geographical position on the left bank of the Danube allows it to serve as an intermodal hub and key transportation center. The port handles over 581,000 tonnes of cargo and 8,000 TEUs per year.

Győr-Gönyű Port

The Győr-Gönyű Port is located on the right bank of the Danube River. It is at the confluence of major national transit railways and is on the mainline of the regional expressway network. The port is the biggest intermodal logistics hub in the Transdanubia region.

Port of Komarom

The Port of Komarom boasts 3 berths for receiving cargo carriers and passenger ships. It’s one of the main ports in Hungary, handling bulk goods and dry cargo. It’s within close proximity to the Danube bridge, which helps it transport international freight traffic.

Cargo ports of arrival in the United States

Port of Virginia

The Port of Virginia is one of the US East Coast’s deepest harbors. It also houses the world's biggest naval base and largest shipbuilding and repair base. The port is among the biggest container ports in the US, handling over 3.4 million TEUs per year.

Port of Baltimore

The Port of Baltimore is located along the Patapsco River in the US state of Maryland. It’s the 9th biggest US port in terms of international cargo tons. In 2023, it handled over 52.3 million tonnes of foreign cargo with a value of $80 billion.

Port of Los Angeles

The Port of Los Angeles is located 25 miles south of downtown Los Angeles. It’s North America’s busiest container facility and the number one port in the Western Hemisphere, handling over 8.6 million TEUs per year.

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

Airports of origin in Hungary

Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport

The Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport is the main international airport serving the capital of Budapest, Hungary. It is the largest of the four commercial airports in the country. The airport is a hub for Ryanair, Wizz Air, Malév Hungarian Airlines, and more. It handles over 201,000 metric tonnes of cargo per year.

Airports of arrival in the United States

Miami International Airport

The Miami International Airport is the primary international airport that serves Miami in the US state of Florida. It has over 1,000 daily flights to 185 destinations. The airport handles over 2.7 million metric tonnes of cargo annually and annually for American Airlines, Pan Am, Atlas Air, Envoy Air, and more.

Portland International Airport

The Portland International Airport is a joint civil-military airport. It’s the largest airport in the US state of Oregon, handling over 95% of its air cargo. The airport is a hub for Alaska Airlines, SkyWest Airlines, Horizon Air, Ameriflight, United Express, SeaPort Airlines, and North Pacific Airlines.

Salt Lake City International Airport

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

Why Ship From Hungary to the United States With iContainers?

Transporting cargo involves numerous factors, such as the season, shipment size, shipping method, and the origin and destination points.

With extensive experience in the industry, iContainers provides traditional freight forwarding services integrated with cutting-edge technology for your convenience. Our digital platform allows you to handle your entire shipment—from requesting a quote to booking and tracking your cargo—right from your mobile device.

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