Ocean & Air Freight Shipping From Panama to the United States
Information and quote from Panama to the United States for LCL, FCL and Air shipping
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Panama, home to the world-famous Panama Canal, is important in global commerce. It bridges the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, creating a streamlined and faster shipping journey. Because of this, Panama has become an important trade partner for the US.
In 2022, Panama exported $357 million worth of goods to the US. The main products exported include non-fillet fresh fish, precious metal scraps, and raw sugar.
If you want to ship from Panama to the US, here’s your complete guide, starting with your ocean and air freight shipping options.
What Are the Options for Shipping Freight From Panama to the United States?
To ship from Panama to the US, you can engage ocean or air freight.
Ocean Freight From Panama to the United States
Ocean freight is the most affordable and flexible way to ship cargo from Panama to the US. It can accommodate any type of goods you need to transport and offers two options for container shipping: less-than-container load (LCL) and full-container load (FCL).
LCL is used for small shipments. Here, cargo belonging to different sellers is consolidated and shipped together in one container. This means each shipper only has to pay for the space their goods occupy, making it an economical container shipping option.
FCL is where a shipper rents the space in an entire container for their goods alone, giving them more space, control, and security for their cargo. This is ideal for larger, heavyweight, and voluminous shipments.
Air Freight from Panama to the United States
Another shipping option to get goods from Panama to the US is air freight. The fastest mode of international shipping, air freight shipments can be completed in a matter of days, making it highly suitable for time-sensitive or perishable cargo.
It’s also the most secure way to ship goods. Airports have strict regulations and processes that can help guarantee the security of high-value cargo during the entire shipping duration.
However, it’s not all pros. Air freight also has its disadvantages. The first is its cost, which is significantly higher than ocean freight. The second is its lack of flexibility. It cannot accommodate all cargo types, sizes, weights, and volumes.
How Much Does it Cost to Ship Cargo From Panama to the United States?
The cost to ship cargo from Panama 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
For an estimate of your shipping costs, use our freight costs calculator online. The table below lists the current cost of shipping a standard 20-foot container from Panama to the US:
TRADE LANE RATES
Freight Shipping Cost from Panama to the United States for a 20-foot Container
How long does it take to ship cargo from Panama to the United States?
Shipping goods from Panama to the US 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 Panama to the United States?
Ocean freight from Panama to the US will take between 15-50 days.
How long does it take to ship cargo by air from Panama to the United States?
Air freight from Panama to the US will take between 2-8 days.
For the most accurate estimate, we recommend using our transit time calculator.
Customs Clearance in Panama and the United States
Once your goods land in a US port or airport, they will go through the customs clearance process. This requires 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, refer to our full documents list.
Should You Choose Ocean Freight or Air Freight?
When choosing between ocean and air freight, you must consider your needs, priorities, and cargo requirements. Here are some pointers to help you decide.
Ocean Freight
Ocean freight is right for you if you value flexibility and affordability. By choosing the right container shipping option, you can also optimize your shipment.
Considerations for LCL Freight Shipping
LCL is great 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 more suitable 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 need your goods to arrive in the US fast, you should ship by air. Only taking 2-8 days to complete, air freight is the fastest mode of international transport, making it suitable for time-sensitive and perishable items.
It’s also suitable for high-value goods. Since airports have strict regulations and processes, they can better guarantee the security of your cargo during transit.
Do note, however, that air freight can get expensive. It’s also not flexible and cannot accommodate all cargo types, weights, sizes, and volumes.
Ocean Cargo Port Guide
Cargo ports of origin in Panama
Port of Manzanillo
The Port of Manzanillo is located on the Atlantic side of Panama and is an important port. It is one of the top 10 well-organized container terminals and handles over 2,700 to 3,000 vessel calls for sea-going ability per year.
Port of Balboa
The Port of Balboa covers 150 hectares, but authorities plan to expand it to 100 hectares. It handles 2.5 to 3 million TEUs per year, and the expansion will extend its capacity to 6.5 million TEUs.
Port of Cristobal
The Port of Cristobal is one of Panama's biggest and busiest ports in terms of international port calls. It covers 140 hectares and boasts 11 berths, 2 of which are used for container handling. The port also handles general cargo and ro-ro operations.
Cargo ports of arrival in the United States
Savannah Port
The Savannah Port is a major port on the US East Coast. In fact, it’s the fourth busiest port in the US and boasts the biggest container terminal in the Western Hemisphere. The port can handle the shipment of heavyweight cargo, including vehicles.
Port of Miami
The Port of Miami is the closest harbor to the widened Panama Canal. It’s one of the busiest US ports and the only one that can handle neo-Panamax vessels. This port can handle both cargo and cruise ships.
Los Angeles Port
The Los Angeles Port is the number one port in the US in terms of annual cargo worth. Daily shipments to and from this port exceed 1 billion dollars. It’s also the busiest port in the Western Hemisphere and is 19th on the list of the world’s biggest freight hubs.
Air Freight from Panama to the United States: An airport guide
Airports of origin in Panama
Tocumen International Airport
The Tocumen International Airport is the primary international airport serving Panama's capital city. It is a hub for Copa Airlines, Copa Airlines Colombia, and more. The airport sees over 133,000 aircraft movements per year and handles over 234,000 tonnes of cargo.
Airports of arrival in the United States
Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport
The Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport is the primary international airport that serves the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex in the North Texas region. It sees over 689,000 aircraft operations per year and is a hub for American Airlines, Spirit Airlines, Envoy Air, and more.
Boston Logan International Airport
The Boston Logan International Airport, formally called the General Edward Lawrence Logan International Airport, is in Winthrop, Massachusetts. It handles over 565 million points of cargo per year.
San Diego International Airport
The San Diego International Airport serves San Diego in the US State of California. It is about 3 miles northwest of downtown San Diego. The airport is the third busiest in California and is a hub for Southwest Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Pacific Southwest Airlines, and West Air.
Why Ship From Panama to the United States With iContainers?
Shipping cargo involves many factors, such as the season, the size of the shipment, the shipping method, and the origin and destination.
With extensive industry experience, iContainers offers traditional freight forwarding services enhanced with modern technology for customer convenience. Our digital platform lets you manage your entire shipment—from requesting a quote to booking and tracking your cargo—all from your mobile device.
Contact us anytime for a free quote. We are always ready to provide you with the information you need.
About Us
Why Ship From Panama to the United States With iContainers?
Why Us?
Shipping cargo involves multiple factors, including the season, the size of the shipment, the shipping method, and the origin and destination points.
Leveraging years of industry experience, iContainers offers traditional freight forwarding services with modern technological enhancements for customer convenience. Our digital platform lets you manage your shipment—from requesting a quote to booking and tracking your cargo—all from your mobile device.
Contact us anytime for a free quote. We are always ready to give you the information you need.