Ocean & Air Freight Shipping From Kuwait to the United States

The dynamic trade relationship between Kuwait and the United States has grown steadily. Kuwait’s strategic location and vast oil reserves have become valuable for the US, playing a critical role in its energy supply.

In 2022, Kuwait exported $2.33 billion worth of goods to the US, including crude petroleum, refined petroleum, and sulfonated, nitrated, and nitrosated hydrocarbons.

To ship from Kuwait to the US, you need a thorough understanding of the process, starting with your ocean and air freight shipping options. To help you, here’s everything you need to know.

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

You can ship from Kuwait to the United States by ocean or air freight.

Ocean Freight From Kuwait to the United States

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

LCL is used by those with small shipping needs. Their cargo is consolidated with shipments belonging to other sellers and shipped together in one container. Each shipper only pays for their cargo's space, making it a more economical choice.

FCL is for those with large shipping needs. They rent the space in an entire container for their goods alone, which gives them more space, control, and security for their shipment. While more expensive than LCL, FCL can provide good value for money if the space inside the container is maximized.

Air Freight from Kuwait to the United States

Air freight is another way to get goods from Kuwait to the US. It’s the fastest mode of international transport, taking only a couple of days to complete. It’s also the most secure, with strict airport regulations helping guarantee cargo security. Air freight is a good shipping option for time-sensitive, perishable, high-value goods.

It does have its cons, though. The first is its cost, which is significantly higher than ocean freight. The second is its lack of flexibility, which limits the type, size, weight, and volume of cargo that can be shipped by air.

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

Shipping costs from Kuwait 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

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 Kuwait to the US in the table below:

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

The transit time for goods shipped from Kuwait to the US is mainly determined by your selected international shipping method. However, other influencing factors include:

• The season of shipment (peak or low season)
• Whether the shipment route is direct or not
• The trade lane's popularity
• Geopolitical instability
• Possible incidents at any port

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

It takes 15-50 days for an ocean freight shipment from Kuwait to arrive in the US.

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

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

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

Customs Clearance in Kuwait and the United States

Goods that arrive in the US from Kuwait will have to go through the customs clearance process. This 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

Check out our full documents list for examples of these customs clearance requirements.

Should You Choose Ocean Freight or Air Freight?

Deciding between ocean and air freight can be difficult. Here are some pointers to consider to help you make the right decision.

Ocean Freight

Ocean freight is a good option for you if you value cost efficiency and flexibility. It can transport any type of cargo without putting a dent in your budget. You can optimize your shipment further by selecting between LCL and FCL freight shipping methods.

Considerations for LCL Freight Shipping

LCL is a good choice 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 more suitable 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 your goods to arrive in the US fast, then air freight is your best bet. Only taking 2-8 days to complete, it’s the obvious choice for time-sensitive and perishable shipments. You’ll also appreciate air freight if you’re shipping high-value goods, as strict airport processes can help provide extra security for your cargo.

However, before choosing air freight, be aware that it can cost significantly more expensive than ocean freight. It’s also not as flexible as its counterpart, having restrictions on the type, weight, size, and volume of cargo.

Ocean Cargo Port Guide

Cargo ports of origin in Kuwait

Shuwaikh Port

The Shuwaikh Port is Kuwait’s primary commercial port. It boasts 21 berths and can receive ships with 7.5 meters draft at low tide and 9.6 meters at high tide. The port’s location at the heart of Kuwait City gives it access to major facilities.

Shuaiba Port

The Shuaiba Port is Kuwait's second-most vital port. It handles commercial traffic and container vessels and has an oil product platform. It boasts 20 berths, four of which handle containers. The port is the second-largest in Kuwait, surrounded by an industrial estate.

Doha Port

The Doha Port is a small coastal port that handles crafts, barges, and small ships that travel through Gulf countries. It is located in Doha and used to be the sole commercial port in Kuwait that can handle every type of cargo.

Cargo ports of arrival in the United States

Port of South Louisiana

The Port of South Louisiana handles 60% of all grain cargo in the Midwest. It’s one of the US's biggest and most widespread ports, with both ends spanning between New Orleans and Baton Rogue. The port handles over 248.1 million short tonnes of goods per year.

Port of Corpus Christi

The Port of Corpus Christi handles over 200 million tonnes of goods per year. Its bearing capacity is 1,500 PSI, making it the strongest standing port among all other seaports in the Gulf. The port is also popular for being one of the few in the US with an energy conservation blueprint.

Port of New Orleans

The Port of New Orleans handles vessel traffic across the Mississippi River. It connects over 14,500 miles of trading waterways to the coast of America, making it one of the busiest ports in the US. It sees over 36,000 vessel calls per year, 41.6% of which handle dry bulk cargo.

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

Airports of origin in Kuwait

Kuwait International Airport

The Kuwait International Airport is located in Farwaniya, 15 kilometers south of Kuwait City. It covers an area of over 37 square kilometers and handles over 126,000 tonnes of air cargo per year.

Airports of arrival in the United States

Fort Worth Alliance Airport

The Fort Worth Alliance Airport ranks 23rd among cargo airports in the US, seeing a 63% growth in landed weight in the last couple of years. It’s the world’s first industrial airport located within the 27,000-acre Alliance, Texas industrial complex.

Chicago/Rockford International Airport

The Chicago/Rockford International Airport is the 17th largest cargo airport in the US by landed weight. It has the largest growth among the top 30 cargo airports in the country. The airport is home to UPS’ second-largest facility in North America and is also a hub for Amazon Air.

Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport

The Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport is the US’ third-largest cargo airport by landed weight. It handles over 17 billion pounds of cargo per year. The airport is home to the UPS Worldport, a hub that spans 5.2 million square feet and can process 115 packages per second.

Why Ship From Kuwait to the United States With iContainers?

Shipping cargo involves many factors, such as the season, the size of the shipment, 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.