Ocean & Air Freight Shipping from Lithuania to the United States

Lithuania has emerged as a dynamic player in international markets. One of its key trade partners is the United States, which benefits from Lithuanian exports to supply its technology, manufacturing, and energy sectors.

In 2022, Lithuania exported $2.6 billion in goods to the US. The top commodities include refined petroleum, plastic products, and furniture. Trade between the two nations has grown at an annualized rate of 11.1%.

If you need to ship goods from Lithuania to the US, here’s your complete guide to your ocean and air freight shipping options.

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

You can ship freight from Lithuania to the United States in two ways: ocean freight and air freight.

Ocean Freight From Lithuania to the United States

Ocean freight is the most common way to ship goods from Lithuania to the US. This is because of its affordability and flexibility, with many shippers using it to transport their cargo. Ocean freight can accommodate all types of goods and even offers two options for container shipping, namely less-than-container load (LCL) and full-container load (FCL).

LCL is used by shippers to transport small cargo. Their goods are consolidated with shipments from other shippers and transported together in one container. Each shipper only has to pay for the space their cargo occupies, making it an economical option.

FCL is for those with larger shipping needs. They rent the space in an entire container for their goods alone, which gives them more space, control, and security for their cargo. The cost of FCL can be high, but if the space inside the unit is maximized, it can provide a good return on investment.

Air Freight from Lithuania to the United States

The other way to transport goods from Lithuania to the US is by air. Air freight is the fastest and most secure mode of international shipping, making it ideal for time-sensitive, perishable, and high-value goods.

However, air freight is also the most expensive mode of transport, with shipping fees significantly higher than ocean freight. It also lacks flexibility, with limits on what type, size, weight, and volume of cargo can be shipped.

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

The cost to ship cargo from Lithuania 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

Determine your shipping costs by using our online freight costs calculator. The table below shows the current cost of shipping a standard 20-foot container from Lithuania to the US:

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

The duration for shipping goods from Lithuania to the US is primarily influenced by the international shipping mode chosen. Other factors that can affect this include:

• 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 Lithuania to the United States?

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

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

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

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

Customs Clearance in Lithuania and the United States

Goods that arrive in the US from Lithuania will be subject to the customs clearance process. This will require 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

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?

When choosing the suitable shipping mode for you, consider your needs, priorities, and the requirements of your cargo.

Ocean Freight

Ocean freight is excellent for those on a budget because of its low shipping fees. It’s also very flexible and capable of handling any type cargo you need to transport. When opting for ocean freight, correctly choose between LCL and FCL to 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

Choose FCL 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 time is of the essence in your shipment, then you should ship by air. This is the fastest way to get cargo from Lithuania to the US, taking only 2-8 days to complete. Air freight is then best for time-sensitive or perishable cargo.

If you're shipping high-value goods, you might also consider air freight. Stricter airport regulations and processes can help guarantee the security of your cargo during transit.

However, air freight has its cons. The first is its cost, which can be significantly higher than ocean freight. The second is its lack of flexibility, unable to ship cargo of all types, sizes, weights, and volumes.

Ocean Cargo Port Guide

Cargo ports of origin in Lithuania

Port of Klaipeda

The Port of Klaipeda is an important trade hub. It’s Lithuania's only seaport, housing 28 designated terminals and shipbuilding yards. It has a capacity of 70 million tonnes of cargo per year. The port’s major export commodity is timber, but it also handles a diverse range of freight, from oil products to container goods.

Butinge Marine Terminal

The Port of Tanga is the longest-serving facility in the East African region. It’s the second biggest port in Tanzania, serving the northern part of the country. The port exports goods such as cement, timber, fertilizers, tea, beans, and coffee. It handles over 700,000 tonnes per year.

Port of Mtwara

The Butinge Marine Terminal is located near the Butinge village in Palanga on the northern Baltic Sea coast. It was the first large-scale petroleum project undertaken by Lithuania when it gained independence in 1990. The terminal mainly handles crude oil and has a capacity of 8 million tonne

Cargo ports of arrival in the United States

Port of Houston

The Port of Houston handles over 280 million metric tonnes of cargo movement per year, making it the USA's busiest foreign tonnage handling port. It’s also the 5th biggest in the country and is the largest Gulf Coast container facility. The port handles 73% of the container traffic on the US Gulf Coast.

Port of New York and New Jersey

The Port of New York and New Jersey is the largest natural harbor, enclosing the entire coastal area of New York Harbor. It spans 25 miles in land area. The port handles over 7.8 million TEUs and was the second busiest port in the US for loaded imports and exports in 2023.

Port of New Orleans

The Port of New Orleans is one of the busiest ports in the US, seeing over 36,000 vessel calls per year. 41.6% of these vessels handle the inward and outward movement of dry bulk cargo. In 2023, the port handled over 455,000 TEUs.

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

Airports of origin in Lithuania

Vilnius International Airport

The Vilnius International Airport serves Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania. It’s 5.9 kilometers south of the city center and is the largest of the three commercial airports in Lithuania. This airport is a hub for Ryanair, Wizz Air, airBaltic, Avion Express, GetJet Airlines, and more.

Kaunas International Airport

The Kaunas International Airport is Lithuania's second busiest civil airport and the fourth busiest in the Baltic States. It’s located centrally, 14 kilometers northeast of the Kaunas city center. The airport is a hub for Ryanair, Air Lithuania, DAT LT, Transaviabaltika, and Apatas Air.

Palanga Airport

The Palanga Airport is a regional international airport located near the Palanga resort town in the Baltic Sea. It is the third-largest airport in Lithuania and a hub for Air Lithuania and Amber Air. It handles over 5,800 tonnes of cargo per year.

Airports of arrival in the United States

Newark Liberty International Airport

Newark Liberty International Airport is a major international airport serving the New York metropolitan area. It handles over 695,000 tonnes of cargo per year and is a hub for United Airlines, FedEx Express, Republic Airways, and more.

Rickenbacker International Airport

The Rickenbacker International Airport is a civil-military public airport in the US state of Ohio. It is 10 miles south of downtown Columbus, near Lockbourne in southern Franklin County. The airport is a hub for AirNet Express, Amerijet International, Evergreen International Airlines, and Air Tahoma.

Lehigh Valley International Airport

The Lehigh Valley International Airport, formerly known as Allentown–Bethlehem–Easton International Airport, is located in the township of Hanover in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania. It serves as a hub for Allegiant Air and Servant Air.

Why Ship From Lithuania to the United States With iContainers?

The process of shipping cargo involves considering several factors, such as the season, shipment size, the chosen shipping method, and the origin and destination points.

Backed by years of experience, iContainers offers traditional freight forwarding services enhanced with modern technology for your convenience. Our digital platform allows you to manage your entire shipment—from requesting a quote to booking and tracking your cargo—directly from your mobile device.

Contact us anytime for a free quote. We are always here to provide you with the necessary information.