Ocean & Air Freight Shipping from Qatar to the United States

Qatar is popular for its oil and gas industries. Still, as part of its Vision 2030 plan, it’s begun diversifying its economy, tapping into sectors like energy, aviation, defense, and infrastructure development.

The US has emerged as Qatar's important trading partner. In fact, in 2022, Qatar exported $2.9 billion worth of goods to the US, a 50.2% increase from 2021 and 184% from 2012.

Knowledge about the process is essential for successfully shipping goods from Qatar to the US. This guide will cover everything you need to know, including your ocean and air freight shipping options, costs, transit times, customs clearance, and more.

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

You can ship goods from Qatar to the US using ocean freight or air freight.

Ocean Freight from Qatar to the United States

Ocean freight is the most common shipping option because of its affordability and flexibility. It can transport any type of cargo at a fair shipping rate. Ocean freight also allows shippers to optimize their shipments with two options for container shipping: less-than-container load (LCL) and full-container load (FCL).

Shippers with small shipping needs use LCL. Their goods will be consolidated with cargo belonging to other shippers and transported together in one container. Each shipper only has to pay for their cargo's space, making LCL economical for small shipments.

FCL is used by those transporting larger volumes of goods. They rent the space in an entire container for their cargo alone, giving them more space, control, and security for their shipment. This can be maximized with large, heavy, and voluminous cargo.

Air Freight from Qatar to the United States

Air freight is another way to ship goods from Jamaica to the US. It is the fastest shipping mode, taking just a few days to complete. It’s also the most secure, with strict airport regulations helping protect high-value goods.

However, air freight is significantly more expensive than ocean freight, which may not be great for someone shipping on a budget. It’s also not flexible and cannot accommodate cargo of all types, volumes, weights, and sizes.

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

The cost to ship cargo from Qatar to the US will differ depending 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

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

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

The duration for shipping goods from Qatar to the US 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 Qatar to the United States?

It takes 15-50 days for an ocean freight shipment from Qatar to arrive in the US.

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

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

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

Customs Clearance in Qatar and the United States

Once your goods arrive in a US port or airport, they will go through the customs clearance process. This will require 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

Examples of these customs clearance requirements are in our full documents list.

Should You Choose Ocean Freight or Air Freight?

When planning your shipment from Qatar to the US, it’s important to choose wisely between ocean and air freight. To make the right decision, consider your needs, priorities, and cargo requirements. Below are some pointers.

Ocean Freight

Ocean freight is ideal for those shipping on a budget or with large, heavy, or otherwise unsuitable cargo for air freight. It offers a cheap way to get cargo to the US and even has two options for container shipping that you can take advantage of to optimize your shipment.

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 more suitable 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

If you want your cargo to arrive in the US fast, then air freight is your best bet. It’s the fastest international shipping mode, and it can get cargo to its destination in a matter of days. It’s also the most secure shipping option, with strict airport regulations helping guarantee the safety of cargo during the shipping process.

Air freight is best for shippers of high-value, time-sensitive, and perishable cargo. But it has its cons. Air freight is significantly more expensive than ocean freight. However, it’s not as flexible, unable to transport all cargo types, sizes, weights, and volumes.

Ocean Cargo Port Guide

Cargo ports of origin in Qatar

Port of Mesaieed

The Port of Mesaieed, also known as the Umm Said Port, is located on Qatar’s eastern coast, about 45 kilometers south of Doha. It’s one of the country’s most important ports, handling over 59,000 TEUs and 48 million tonnes of cargo per year.

Port of Halul Island

The Port of Halul Island is an export terminal for marine crude oil obtained from northern oil fields in Qatar. It boasts oil storage tanks and an industrial complex. The oil terminal can handle over 200 tankers per year with a maximum weight of 550,000 DWT.

Port of Hamad

The Port of Hamad is Qatar's main seaport. It’s located south of Doha and handles general cargo. The port is also one of the biggest in the Middle East. Its annual handling capacity is 7.5 million TEU, 1.8 million general cargo and 1 million tonnes of grains.

Cargo ports of arrival in the United States

Port of Houston

The Port of Houston is the busiest foreign tonnage handling port in the US, handling over 3.8 million TEUs per year. It’s also the fifth-biggest container port in the country and the largest container facility on the Gulf Coast, handling 73% of the US Gulf Coast container traffic.

Port of New York and New Jersey

The Port of New York and New Jersey is the largest natural harbor, spreading over 25 miles and enclosing the entire coast area of the New York Harbor. It handles over 7.8 million TEUs per year and is the second-busiest in the country for loaded imports and exports.

Port of New Orleans

The Port of New Orleans is one of the busiest ports in the US. It sees an average of 36,000 vessel calls per year, 41.6% of which handle the inward and outward movement of dry bulk cargo. It has two major berths that can handle 455,000 TEUs per year.

##Air Freight from Qatar to the United States: An airport guide

Airports of origin in Qatar

Hamad International Airport

The Hamad International Airport is one of the busiest cargo airports in the Middle East. It handles over 2.3 million metric tonnes of cargo per year. The United States is its major trading partner. The airport has cutting-edge cargo handling equipment and temperature-controlled facilities for perishable goods.

Al Udeid Air Base

The Al Udeid Air Base is a joint US-Qatari military installation vital in freight transport. It primarily services cargo flights for humanitarian and military missions across the Middle East. It hosts the largest concentration of US military forces, making it an essential hub for military logistics.

Airports of arrival in the United States

Chicago O’Hare International Airport

The Chicago O’Hare International Airport is the seventh largest US airport in terms of landed cargo weight. It handles over 1.9 million metric tonnes of cargo per year and is located in Chicago’s northwest region, 17 miles northwest of the Loop business district.

Baltimore/Washington International Airport

The Baltimore/Washington International Airport ranks 24th among US cargo airports. Over the years, it’s seen a whopping 190% growth in its landed cargo weight. It also raised $36 million in financing for the construction of a 200,000-square-foot cargo facility.

Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport

The Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport is the third largest cargo airport in the US in terms of landed weight. It handles over 17 billion pounds of cargo per year. This airport is home to the UPS Worldport, a 5.2 million square feet hub that can process over 115 packages per second.

Why Ship From Qatar to the United States With iContainers?

The process of shipping cargo involves considering several factors, such as the season, shipment size, the chosen shipping method, and the origin and destination points.

Backed by years of experience, iContainers offers traditional freight forwarding services enhanced with modern technology for your convenience. Our digital platform allows you to manage your entire shipment—from requesting a quote to booking and tracking your cargo—directly from your mobile device.

Contact us anytime for a free quote. We are always here to provide you with the necessary information.