Ocean & Air Freight Shipping from Jamaica to the United States

Jamaica and the US are close neighbors in the Western Hemisphere, so it’s no surprise that they have a strong trade relationship. The two nations are bound by the Caribbean Basin Initiative (CBI), which allows Jamaican companies to export over 5,800 products to the US tariff-free.

Jamaica has taken advantage of this. In 2022, it exported $1.11 billion in goods to the US, including refined petroleum, petroleum gas, and aluminum ore.

To ship from Jamaica to the US, you must be familiar with your ocean and air freight shipping options to ship from Jamaica to the US. This article covers that and more.

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

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

Ocean Freight From Jamaica to the United States

Ocean freight is the most popular shipping option because of its flexibility and affordability. This mode of shipping can transport any type of cargo, whether small, large, light, or heavy. It also offers shippers two options for container shipping: less-than-container load (LCL) and full-container load (FCL).

Those with small shipments use LCL. Here, their goods are consolidated with cargo belonging to other shippers and shipped together in one container. This allows the shippers to pay for only the space their goods occupy, making it an economical choice.

Shippers with larger shipping needs use FCL. They rent the space in an entire container for their goods alone, giving them more cargo space, control, and security. As long as the space inside the container is maximized with large, heavy shipments, FCL provides good value for money.

Air Freight from Jamaica to the United States

Air freight is another way to ship goods from Jamaica to the US. It is the fastest shipping mode, taking just a few days to complete. It’s also the most secure, with strict airport regulations helping protect high-value goods.

However, air freight is significantly more expensive than ocean freight, which may not be great for someone shipping on a budget. It’s also not flexible and cannot accommodate cargo of all types, volumes, weights, and sizes.

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

The cost to ship cargo from Jamaica to the US will depend 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

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 Jamaica to the US:

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

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

• The season (peak or low) during which you ship
• Whether the shipment route is direct
• The popularity of the trade lane
• Geopolitical instability
• Incidents that might occur at ports

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

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

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

Air freight is much faster, taking only 2-8 days.

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

Customs Clearance in Jamaica and the United States

When your Jamaican goods arrive in the US, you will need to provide the following documents for the customs clearance process:

• 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?

Choosing between ocean freight and air freight can be quite a challenge. To help you make the right choice, consider the following pointers:

Ocean Freight

Ocean freight is excellent if you are shipping on a budget or your cargo requires shipping flexibility. This mode of shipment can accommodate any type of goods and even offers you two options for container shipping so you can optimize your shipment.

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 better choice 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

For shippers who need their cargo to arrive in the US fast, air freight is a viable option. It only takes a few days to complete, making it suitable for time-sensitive or perishable shipments. It’s also the most secure mode of shipping, able to protect high-value goods during transit.

However, there are some cons to air freight. The first is its cost, which is significantly higher than ocean freight. The second is its lack of flexibility. It can’t ship all types of goods and limits your shipment’s size, weight, and volume.

Ocean Cargo Port Guide

Cargo ports of origin in Jamaica

Port of Kingston

The Port of Kingston is the world’s seventh-largest natural harbor. It’s also the 56th port in the list of the top 100 container ports in the world. The port is located on the strategic north/south-east/west axis across the Caribbean, about 32 miles from active trade routes that pass through the Panama Canal.

Port of Lucea

The Port of Lucea is located in the coastal town of Lucea, the capital of the Jamaican parish of Hanover, in the far northwestern region. It’s a tiny port with a sheltered harbor. The port primarily exports yarn and bananas.

Port of Rio Bueno

The Port of Rio Bueno is a small port located in the tiny settlement of Rio Bueno, which has a population of only 1,096 people. Despite that, the port boasts a harbor that is the deepest in the entire county. It plays a vital role in the livelihood of the Rio Bueno village.

Cargo ports of arrival in the United States

Los Angeles Port

The Los Angeles Port has been the number one port in the US since the year 2000. Its daily cargo worth exceeds 1 billion dollars, making it an essential hub for international trade. The port is the busiest in the Western Hemisphere and is 19th on the list of the world’s biggest freight hubs.

Savannah Port

The Savannah Port is the fourth busiest port in the US and houses the biggest container terminal in the Western Hemisphere. This makes it one of the best ports for shipping vehicles. The port is located on the East Coast in Savannah, Georgia.

Port of Miami

The Port of Miami is the closest harbor to the widened Panama Canal. It’s also the only port in the US that can handle neo-Panamax vessels, allowing it to accommodate both cruise and cargo ships. Miami, where the port is located, is known as the Cruise Capital of the World.

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

Airports of origin in Jamaica

Sangster International Airport

The Sangster International Airport is located 3 miles east of Montego Bay in Jamaica. It is the most popular airport on the country’s north coast. It serves as a hub for Air Jamaica, AirLink Express, and TimAir.

Norman Manley International Airport

The Norman Manley International Airport, formerly called the Palisadoes Airport, serves Kingston, Jamaica. It is located south of the island and 19 kilometers from the New Kingston city center. The airport is a hub for Caribbean Airlines, Air Jamaica, and Fly Jamaica Airways.

Airports of arrival in the United States

Memphis International Airport

Memphis International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world in terms of total cargo tonnage. Its estimated annual economic impact is over $23.3 billion, and the airport handles over 4.2 million tonnes of cargo every year.

Louisville International Airport

The Louisville International Airport is one of the most popular airports in the world, handling over 2.3 million tonnes of cargo per year. It is home to the UPS Worldport, which allows the airport to handle over 5 billion pounds of cargo annually.

Chicago O’Hare International Airport

The Chicago O’Hare International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world. It is a global air cargo gateway, handling over 1.5 million tonnes of cargo per year. Its annual imports and exports are valued at over $173 billion.

Why Ship From Jamaica to the United States With iContainers?

Shipping cargo involves multiple factors, including the season, the size of the shipment, the shipping method, and the origin and destination points.

Leveraging years of industry experience, iContainers offers traditional freight forwarding services with modern technological enhancements for customer convenience. Our digital platform lets you manage your 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 give you the information you need.