Ocean & Air Freight Shipping From Pakistan to the United States

Pakistan and the United States are two players in today’s interconnected global economy. Their trade relationships strongly influence both nations’ economies and diplomatic interactions. 

In 2022, the United States imported $6 billion worth of goods from Pakistan, up 13.5% from the previous year. If you need to ship goods from Pakistan to the United States, you’ve come to the right place. Here’s everything you need to know about ocean and air freight shipping between the two countries. 

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

You can ship freight from Pakistan to the United States through ocean or air freight. 

Ocean Freight From Pakistan to the United States

Ocean freight is the cheapest way to ship goods from Pakistan to the United States. It’s also very flexible, offering shippers two options for container shipping: less than container load (LCL) and full container load (FCL). 

LCL is used by those transporting small cargo. It involves the consolidation process where goods from different shippers are consolidated and shipped together in one container. That way, each shipper only pays for the space their goods occupy. 

FCL, on the other hand, is for those transporting large cargo. They rent the space in an entire container for their goods alone, which gives them control and security for their shipment. While it’s generally more expensive than LCL, you can get your money’s worth with FCL if you ship in large volumes. 

Air Freight from Pakistan to the United States

The other method to ship goods from Pakistan to the United States is air freight. Considered the fastest international shipping mode, it’s ideal for time-sensitive shipments. Air freight is also more secure, with strict airport regulations guaranteeing the security of your cargo. 

It’s worth noting, however, that air freight can get significantly more expensive than ocean freight. It’s also not able to accommodate all types of goods. 

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

The cost of shipping cargo from Pakistan to the United States will depend on a couple of factors, which 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

Use our online freight costs calculator to get an estimate of your shipping costs. The table below also shows the current cost of shipping a standard 20-foot container from Pakistan to the US:

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

The duration for shipping goods from Pakistan to the United States 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 Pakistan to the United States?

Ocean freight from Pakistan to the United States can take anywhere from 15 to 50 days.

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

Air freight from Pakistan to the United States will take 2-8 days, depending on the season.

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

Customs Clearance in Pakistan and the United States

Once your goods arrive in the United States, they must go through customs clearance. This requires that you prepare and submit the following paperwork: 

• 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 each customs clearance requirement. 

Should You Choose Ocean Freight or Air Freight?

The choice between ocean and air freight should be made considering your needs, priorities, and cargo requirements. 

Ocean Freight

Ocean freight is right for you if you value cost efficiency and flexibility. It allows you to ship any cargo you need from Pakistan to the United States without breaking the bank. Ocean freight also enables you to choose between two modes of container shipping. 

Considerations for LCL Freight Shipping

You should go for 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

You should 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

We recommend air freight if you want your goods to arrive in the United States fast. Air freight only takes 2 to 4 days, which is best for time-sensitive or perishable shipments. It’s also a good idea for high-value goods, with strict airport processes that can help ensure the security of your cargo. 

However, before settling for air freight, remember that it is significantly more expensive than ocean freight. You should also check if your cargo is allowed as per air freight restricted and prohibited goods. 

Ocean Cargo Port Guide

Cargo ports of origin in Pakistan

Karachi Port & Harbour

The Karachi Port & Harbour is a deep-sea port located along the Arabian Sea coast in Pakistan. It handles 60% of national shipments, receiving 65.25 million tonnes of cargo and 1.56 million TEUs per year. 

Gwadar Port

The Gwadar Port is located on the Arabian Sea and is a major player in Pakistan’s trade relationships with other countries. It has a container capacity of 30 million TEUs and a cargo capacity of 11 million tons. 

Port Muhammad Bin Qasim

Port Muhammad Bin Qasim is Pakistan’s second-largest port and one of the top 150 ports in the world. It handles 35% of the total maritime trade through Pakistan and has an annual cargo tonnage of 16.6 million tonnes. 

Cargo ports of arrival in the United States

Port of Los Angeles

The Port of Los Angeles is hailed as America’s Port, being the biggest port in North America and one of the busiest ports in the world. It has 25 cargo terminals spread across an area of 7,500 acres. It handles over 9 million TEUs per year. 

Port of Long Beach

The Port of Long Beach is the second busiest port in North America. It handles over 8 million TEUs per year and boasts 80 cargo berths. It was one of the first ports to adopt eco-friendly policies for its operations. 

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, mostly heavyweight containerized cargo like automobiles, raw materials, and consumer products. 

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

Airports of origin in Pakistan

Islamabad International Airport

The Islamabad International Airport serves the capital city of Pakistan. It is a hub for Pakistan International Airlines and is considered the largest cargo airport in the country. 

Airports of arrival in the United States

San Antonio International Airport

The San Antonio International Airport is in Texas, 8 miles north of Downtown San Antonio. It handles over 241 million pounds of cargo annually and caters to cargo airlines Ameriflight, DHL Express, FedEx Express, Martinaire, and UPS Airlines. 

Detroit Metro Wayne County Airport

The Detroit Metro Wayne County Airport serves Detroit and its metropolitan area. It’s located in Romulus City, Michigan, United States. The airport handles over 347 million pounds of cargo per year. 

Lakeland Linder International Airport

The Lakeland Linder International Airport is located 5 miles southwest of Lakeland, Polk County, Florida. It is a national reliever facility for Tampa International Airport and is home to Amazon Air's southeast regional air cargo hub.