Ocean & Air Freight Shipping From Morocco to the United States

Morocco and the United States share a dynamic trade relationship that has contributed to their economic growth and development. In 2022, goods and services trade between the two countries totaled $6.8 billion, with Morrocan exports to the U.S. accounting for $1.7 billion. This was a whopping 33.3% increase from the previous year. 

This article will examine the trade process for shipping goods from Morocco to the United States. We provide you with your ocean and air freight shipping options, the customs clearance process, estimated costs and transit times, and more.  

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

You can choose between ocean freight and air freight to ship from Morocco to the United States. 

Ocean Freight From Morocco to the United States

Ocean freight is the most common way of shipping goods from Morocco to the United States. Shippers like it because it is cost-efficient and flexible, able to accommodate all of their transport needs. Ocean freight also provides two options for container shipping: less-than-container load (LCL) and full-container load (FCL). 

LCL is a container shipping process in which goods belonging to different shippers are consolidated into one container. This makes it cost-effective, as each shipper only pays for the space their cargo occupies. It’s especially economical for shipping small goods or in small volumes. 

FCL, on the other hand, is where a shipper rents the space in an entire container for their goods alone. They don’t share space or costs with other shippers. FCL can also provide you with value for money as long as you maximize the space in the container for large goods or large volumes. 

Air Freight from Morocco to the United States

Another way to ship goods from Morocco to the United States is air freight. This is the fastest but most expensive mode of international shipping. It’s also touted as the most secure, making it ideal for time-sensitive or perishable goods and high-value cargo. 

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

The cost of shipping goods from Morocco to the United States 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 estimate your shipping costs, use our online freight costs calculator. The table below also shows the current cost of shipping a standard 20-foot container from Morocco to the United States]:

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

Shipping goods from Morocco to the United States varies in transit time, primarily based on your international shipping mode. Additional factors impacting this include:

• The shipping season (peak or low)
• The directness of the shipment's route
• The popularity of the trade lane
• Geopolitical issues
• Potential incidents at ports

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

Ocean freight from Morocco to the United States will take 15 to 50 days. 

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

Air freight from Morocco to the United States will take only 2 to 8 days. 

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

Customs Clearance in Morocco and the United States

When your goods arrive in the United States, they must go through customs clearance. This requires that you submit the following documents to U.S. customs authorities: 

• 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?

When choosing between ocean and air freight for your shipment from Morocco to the United States, you need to consider your needs, priorities, and cargo requirements. Here are some pointers to help you make the right decision. 

Ocean Freight

If you value cost efficiency and flexibility, we recommend ocean freight. Not only is it budget-friendly, but it can also accommodate any type of cargo you need to get to the U.S. It also offers two options for container shipping. 

Considerations for LCL Freight Shipping

Choose LCL if your cargo 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 you want to get your goods to the United States as fast as possible, air freight should be your shipping option of choice. Your shipment will only take 2 to 8 days to complete, making it ideal for time-sensitive or perishable goods. 

Air freight is also quite secure because of strict airport regulations and processes that can guarantee cargo security. This makes it attractive to shippers transporting high-value goods. 

Before settling for air freight, remember that shipping rates can get expensive. It also has quite a list of restricted and prohibited goods, so it may be unable to accommodate all cargo types, sizes, weights, and volumes. 

Ocean Cargo Port Guide

Cargo ports of origin in Morocco

Port of Nador

The Port of Nador in the Rif region is one of the busiest shipping hubs in Morocco. It shares a harbor with the Spanish enclave of Melilla, and the Port of Nador occupies 30% of the harbor area. The port handles general cargo, dry bulk, and fish exports, among other things. 

Port of Tanger Med

The Port of Tanger Med is the largest in Africa in terms of cargo capacity. It’s also one of the top harbors in Morocco and the largest Mediterranean port on the Moroccan coastline. It can handle over 9 million TEUs. 

Port of Kenitra

The Port of Kenitra is a riverine commercial port on the Sebou River. It is recognized as a fishing and cargo port and was also set up as a military base because of its strategic location, accessible from the Atlantic. The port has an anchorage depth of 5 meters. 

Cargo ports of arrival in the United States

Port of South Louisiana

The Port of South Louisiana has a long history of cargo operations dating back to the 1940s. After the Port of Houston, it ranks second in terms of overall cargo tonnage. It is known for handling 60% of all grain cargo handling in the Midwest. 

Port of New York and New Jersey

The Port of New York and New Jersey is located in the entire coastal area of New York Harbor. It is the largest natural harbor in the world, spanning 25 miles. The port handles over 136.6 million tonnes of cargo per year. 

Port of Corpus Christi

The Port of Corpus Christi began operating in 1926, serving as a major terminal for crude oil and gas. Today, it’s known as one of the few ports in the U.S. with an energy conservation blueprint. The port boasts six terminals for diverse cargo. 

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

Airports of origin in Morocco

Casablanca Mohammed V International Airport

The Casablanca Mohammed V International Airport serves the city of Casablanca, Morocco. It is located in Nouaceur Province. The airport is a hub for Royal Air Maroc, Air Arabia, Air Arabia Maroc, and more. 

Marrakech Menara Airport 

The Marrakech Menara Airport serves the capital city of the Marrakesh-Safi region in Morocco. It receives airlines from European countries, Casablanca, Arab world nations, and North America. The airport is a Royal Air Maroc, Jet4you, and Atlas Blue hub.

Airports of arrival in the United States

Salt Lake City International Airport

The Salt Lake City International Airport is military and public, 4 miles west of downtown Salt Lake City, Utah. It is the closest commercial airport for residents in the area and a hub for Delta Air Lines, SkyWest Airlines, Delta Connection, and more. 

Bradley International Airport

The Bradley International Airport is in Windsor Locks, Connecticut, United States. It is the second-largest airport in New England and serves the cities of Hartford, Connecticut, and Springfield, Massachusetts. 

Orlando International Airport

The Orlando International Airport is 6 miles southeast of downtown Orlando in Florida. It is the busiest airport in the state and the seventh busiest in the United States. The airport is a hub for Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines, JetBlue, Silver Airways, and more.