Ocean & Air Freight Shipping From Norway to the United States

Norway’s economy is driven by its abundant oil, gas, and technological industries, making it one of the most prosperous Scandinavian nations. This makes it a prime partner for the United States. Both nations share a diverse trade portfolio comprising substantial petroleum, petroleum products, machinery, and more. 

In 2022, Norwegian exports to the U.S. amounted to $6.7 billion, up 1% from the previous decade. If you want to ship goods from Norway to the U.S., here’s your complete guide to the process, shipping options, customs clearance, and more. 

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

You can choose between ocean or air freight to ship goods from Norway to the United States. 

Ocean Freight From Norway to the United States

Ocean freight is the most flexible and budget-friendly way to ship goods from Norway to the United States. It can accommodate all types of cargo, big or small, and it offers shippers two modes of container shipping: less-than-container load (LCL) and full-container load (FCL). 

LCL is where goods are consolidated with cargo from different shippers to be transported in a single container. It’s economical for those shipping small cargo, as each shipper only pays for the space their goods occupy. 

FCL, on the other hand, is where a shipper rents the space in an entire container for their goods alone. This is best for large and heavy cargo or those transporting large goods. That way, they can maximize the space in the unit. 

Air Freight from Norway to the United States

Your other option for shipping freight from Norway to the United States is air freight. This is the fastest but also the most expensive mode of international shipping. Despite its high cost, shippers opt for air freight to transport time-sensitive or perishable goods. It’s also favorable for shippers of high-value goods because of strict airport regulations that can guarantee cargo security. 

Aside from its cost, another disadvantage of air freight is how it limits what you can and cannot ship. It cannot accommodate all cargo types, sizes, volumes, and weights. 

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

The cost of shipping from Norway to the United States will depend on the following: 

• 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, which is available online. Below, you'll find the current cost for shipping a standard 20-foot container from Norway to the United States:

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

The transit time for goods shipped from Norway to the United States depends mainly on the international shipping mode you select. Additional factors influencing the transit time are:

• The shipping season (peak or low)
• Direct or indirect shipment route
• The trade lane's popularity
• Geopolitical instability
• Potential incidents at ports

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

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

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

Air freight from Norway to the United States is much faster, taking only 2 to 8 days. 

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

Customs Clearance in Norway and the United States

When your goods arrive in the United States, they will be inspected and cleared by the U.S. customs clearance authorities. For this process, you will need to present 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 you need examples of each customs clearance requirement, you can refer to our full documents list. 

Should You Choose Ocean Freight or Air Freight?

It’s time to decide whether to ship with ocean or air freight. To make the right decision, consider your needs, priorities, and the requirements of your cargo. 

Ocean Freight

Ocean freight is best for shippers who value cost efficiency and flexibility. It can ship almost any type of cargo you need to get to the U.S. while allowing you to save on shipping costs. If you choose ocean freight, you must ship via LCL or FCL. 

Considerations for LCL Freight Shipping

You should ship via 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

FCL might be more suitable for you 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 your priority is to get your cargo from Norway to the United States fast, choose air freight. An air freight shipment takes 2-8 days to complete, making it ideal for transporting time-sensitive or perishable goods. 

If you're shipping high-value cargo, you can also consider air freight. Air freight has strict airport regulations and processes, which can guarantee the security of your goods during the shipping process. 

Keep in mind, however, that air freight can get expensive. It’s also unable to ship all types of cargo, limiting its nature, size, weight, and volume. 

Ocean Cargo Port Guide

Cargo ports of origin in Norway

Port of Oslo

The Port of Oslo is the main port in Norway. With its advanced terminals, it serves as a natural logistics center, handling more than 6 million tonnes of cargo per year. The port is located in Vippetangen. 

Port of Narvik

The Port of Narvik houses the Narvik Terminal, which boasts electronic access control. It is also one of the few ports with innovative processes, such as giving key cards to visiting vessels. The port is located in the third most populous municipality in Nordland county. 

Port of Bergen

The Port of Bergen is located at the mouth of Byfjorden in Norway’s west region. It can handle several cargo types, from offshore containers to bulk liquids. It also has facilities for naval, scientific, recreational, and fishing vessels. 

Cargo ports of arrival in the United States

Port of New York and New Jersey

The Port of New York and New Jersey covers the entire coastal area of New York Harbor, which extends over 25 miles. This makes it the largest natural harbor in the world, and the port handles over 136.6 million tonnes of cargo per year. 

Port of Beaumont 

The Port of Beaumont is an essential base for handling military goods and manufacturing products. It handles 57% of the petroleum transport and 14% of gasoline cargo across the United States. 

Port of Long Beach

The Port of Long Beach is the second-largest container handling terminal in the United States. It handles over 80 to 85 million tonnes of cargo per year. The port also sees substantial growth, with 25% overtaking growth in the last decade. 

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

Airports of origin in Norway

Oslo Airport

The Oslo Airport, also called the Oslo Gardermoen Airport or simply Gardermoen, is the main international airport serving Oslo, Norway’s capital and most populous city. It began operations in 1998. Today, the airport serves as a hub for Norwegian Air Shuttle, Scandinavian Airlines, Widerøe, and more. 

Airports of arrival in the United States

Daniel K Inouye International Airport

The Daniel K Inouye International Airport, also known as the Honolulu International Airport, is the largest in Hawaii. The airport handles 615,000 tonnes of cargo annually and is a hub for Hawaiian Airlines, Aloha Airlines, Mokulele Airlines, and more. 

San Bernardino International Airport

The San Bernardino International Airport is two miles southeast of downtown San Bernardino, California. It boasts a large runway that can accommodate big aircraft. It is mainly a hub for Amazon Air. 

San Francisco International Airport

The San Francisco International Airport is the primary international airport serving California's San Francisco Bay Area. It is the largest airport in the region and the second-busiest in the state. The airport serves as a hub for United Airlines, Alaska Airlines, SkyWest Airlines, and more.