Ocean & Air Freight Shipping from Nicaragua to the United States

The trade relationship between Nicaragua and the United States is boosted by the Central America-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement. This helps trade between both nations flourish, opening opportunities for both businesses and consumers. The partnership focuses on sectors including manufacturing, textiles, and agriculture.

In 2022, Nicaragua sent over $4.09 billion in goods to the United States. The top commodities include gold, knit t-shirts, and rolled tobacco.

To take advantage of the strong trade ties between Nicaragua and the US, you must be familiar with the ocean and air freight shipping process. We lay it all down for you in this guide.

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

Your options for shipping freight from Nicaragua to the US are ocean freight and air freight.

Ocean Freight from Nicaragua to the United States

Ocean freight is deemed the most common shipping option. This is most likely owing to its affordability and flexibility. This shipping mode can accommodate any type of cargo, even offering shippers two options for container shipping to optimize their shipments. These are two options for container shipping: less-than-container load (LCL) and full-container load (FCL).

LCL involves the consolidation process, in which cargo belonging to different shippers is consolidated and transported in one container. Each shipper only has to pay for their goods' space, making this a very economical ocean freight shipping option, especially for small shipments.

FCL is where a shipper rents the space in an entire container for their goods alone. This gives them more space, control, and security for their cargo. This can provide good value for money as long as the space inside the container is maximized, usually with large, heavy goods.

Air Freight from Nicaragua to the United States

Air freight is the fastest way to get goods from Nicaragua to the US. It only takes a few days to complete, making it suitable for time-sensitive or perishable goods. It’s also very secure, with strict airport regulations helping guarantee the security of high-value commodities.

However, it does have its cons. Air freight is significantly more expensive than ocean freight. It’s also not as flexible, with strict limits on what you can and can’t ship and your cargo's size, weight, and volume.

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

The cost of shipping cargo from Nicaragua to the US will depend on several factors. These include:

• 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 estimate of your shipping costs, use our online freight costs calculator. The table below lists the current cost of shipping a standard 20-foot container from Nicaragua to the US:

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

Shipping goods from Nicaragua to the US varies in transit time, primarily based on your chosen 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 Nicaragua to the United States?

It takes 15-50 days to ship from Nicaragua to the US by sea.

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

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

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

Customs Clearance in Nicaragua and the United States

Goods that arrive in the US from Nicaragua will need to go through what’s called the customs clearance process. Here, customs authorities will inspect goods to ensure that the contents match the documents. Speaking of documents, you’ll need to provide the following:

• 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

Take a look at our full documents list to see examples of each customs clearance requirement.

Should You Choose Ocean Freight or Air Freight?

When choosing a shipping mode, you must consider your needs, priorities, and the requirements of your cargo. Here are some pointers to help you decide.

Ocean Freight

Ocean freight is a good option for shippers on a budget or those whose cargo is large, heavy, or otherwise not allowed in air freight. Opting to ship by sea also means choosing whether to ship via LCL or FCL.

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

Air freight is for those needing goods to arrive in the US fast. It only takes a couple of days to complete, making it suitable for time-sensitive or perishable goods. It’s also the most secure way of transporting goods. Since airports have stricter processes and regulations, air freight can better protect high-value goods during transit.

Before settling for air freight, consider its cost, which can be significantly higher than ocean freight. You should also first determine if it can accommodate your cargo. Air freight isn’t very flexible in terms of different cargo types, sizes, weights, and volumes.

Ocean Cargo Port Guide

Cargo ports of origin in Nicaragua

Port of Corinto

The Port of Corinto is the largest in Northwest Nicaragua and the country’s most important port. It has connections to bridge networks, allowing easy access to the mainland. The port mainly handles agricultural products, coffee, banana textiles, and general cargo.

Puerto El Rama

Puerto El Rama is situated on the Caribbean coast. It receives trading ships from the Atlantic Ocean. The port can handle various cargo types, including bulk cargo, transshipping goods, liquid containers, and automobiles.

Port of Sandino

The Port of Sandino is the second most important port on the Pacific coast. It is located 70 kilometers from the national capital city of Managua. It boasts numerous facilities, including dual loading and unloading operations, a dry dock for repairs, cargo handling equipment, and welding facilities.

Cargo ports of arrival in the United States

Port of New York and New Jersey

The Port of New York and New Jersey is the third largest port in North America. It handles over 7 million TEUs annually and is hailed as the heavyweight for containerized cargo on the East Coast. It is home to critical maritime terminals, including APM and Global Container.

Port of Oakland

The Port of Oakland is one of the busiest North American ports, handling over 2.5 million TEUs annually. It’s a major seaport in the San Francisco Bay area of the US state of California, handling over 99% of containerized goods in Northern California.

Port of Long Beach

The Port of Long Beach is located in Southern California. It’s the second busiest port in North America, handling over 8 million TEUs annually. The seaport boasts 80 cargo berths spread across its 3,200-acre land area. It handles various cargo types, from electronics to furniture and apparel.

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

Airports of origin in Nicaragua

Augusto C. Sandino International Airport

The Augusto C. Sandino International Airport is the main international airport in Managua, Nicaragua. It’s categorized as a joint civil-military public airport. It serves as a hub for a range of passenger and cargo airlines, including La Costeña, LANICA, Aeronica, Atlantic Airlines, Air Nicaragua, Nicaragüense de Aviación, and Aerosegovia.

Airports of arrival in the United States

Memphis International Airport

The Memphis International Airport is the second busiest cargo airport in the US. It’s home to a major FedEx hub, one of the world’s largest air cargo hubs. It has a strategic location for cargo shipping and is a good option for moving goods domestically and internationally.

Los Angeles International Airport

Los Angeles International Airport is the fourth busiest cargo airport in the US, with facilities that the largest air freight companies in the world use. It is a major hub for international trade, and its cargo operations generate billions in economic activity per year.

Miami International Airport

The Miami International Airport is one of the busiest cargo airports in the US, handling over 2 million tonnes of cargo per year. It boasts a network of 50 cargo carriers and several major warehouses and logistical facilities. It’s equipped to handle a high volume of container traffic.

Why Ship From Nicaragua to the United States With iContainers?

Transporting cargo depends on several variables, including the season, the size of your shipment, the shipping method, and the origin and destination points.

Drawing on years of expertise, iContainers provides traditional freight forwarding services with a technological edge for your convenience. Our digital platform gives you control over every step of your shipment—from getting a quote to booking and tracking your cargo—from your mobile device.

Reach out to us anytime for a free quote. We are always here to assist you with the information you need.