Ocean & Air Freight Shipping from Sri Lanka to the United States

Over the years, the economic ties between Sri Lanka and the US have steadily grown. Sri Lanka, striving to boost its exports and attract foreign investments, found a partner in the US, which has become one of its largest training partners.

Trade between the two countries spans a wide range of commodities, from textiles to rubber products. In 2022, Sri Lanka exported $3.4 billion worth of goods to the US, accounting for a 19.7% increase from 2021 and a 51% increase from the last decade.

If you need to ship goods from Sri Lanka to the US, here’s your complete guide for a successful shipment.

What Are the Options for Shipping Freight from Sri Lanka to the United States?

You can ship from Sri Lanka to the United States by ocean or by air.

Ocean Freight from Sri Lanka to the United States

Ocean freight is the most common shipping option owing to its affordability and flexibility. It can transport a wide range of commodities while allowing shippers to optimize their budgets and needs with two options for container shipping: less-than-container load (LCL) and full-container load (FCL).

LCL is used for small shipments. Goods belonging to different shippers will be consolidated and shipped together in one container, which means that each shipper will only have to pay for the space their cargo occupies.

FCL is used for larger and heavy-weight shipments. The shipper rents the space in a container for their goods alone. With more space, control, and security for their cargo, they can achieve better value for money and faster transit times.

Air Freight from Sri Lanka to the United States

Air freight is another way to ship goods from Sri Lanka to the US. It’s the fastest option, completing a shipment in a matter of days. This is why air freight works wonders for time-sensitive and perishable cargo.

It’s also the most secure. Strict airport regulations and processes play a big role and protecting high-value goods during transit.

However, air freight is also the most expensive shipping option, with fees significantly higher than ocean freight. It’s also not flexible, with restrictions on the type, size, weight, and volume of goods that can be transported by air.

How Much Does It Cost to Ship Cargo from Sri Lanka to the United States?

The shipping cost for a shipment from Sri Lanka to the US will depend on a couple of 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

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 Sri Lanka to the US:

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

The transit time for goods shipped from Sri Lanka to the US depends mainly on your selected international shipping mode. 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 Sri Lanka to the United States?

It takes 15-50 days to complete an ocean freight shipment from Sri Lanka to the US.

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

Air freight will take an average of 2-8 days.

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

Customs Clearance in Sri Lanka and the United States

The customs clearance process is a mandatory inspection of goods when they arrive at the port or airport of destination. To facilitate this, you need to provide 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’re new to international shipping and need examples of these customs clearance requirements, refer to our full documents list.

Should You Choose Ocean Freight or Air Freight?

Choosing whether to ship by ocean or by air can be difficult. Here are some pointers to help you make your choice.

Ocean Freight

Ocean freight is the best option for shippers on a budget or needing to transport cargo with specific requirements. This mode of shipping can accommodate any type of cargo and even has two options for container shipping to help optimize your cargo’s needs.

Considerations for LCL Freight Shipping

LCL is good 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 your goods need to arrive in the US quickly, we recommend shipping by air. Only taking 2-8 days, this shipping method is best for time-sensitive and perishable cargo. It’s also very secure, which shippers of high-value goods might appreciate.

However, air freight can get expensive, with shipping costs significantly higher than ocean freight. It also can’t accommodate all cargo types and sets limits on the weight, size, and volume of shipments.

Ocean Cargo Port Guide

Cargo ports of origin in Sri Lanka

Port of Colombo

The Port of Colombo is Sri Lanka's biggest seaport. It’s also among the top 25 ports in the world and one of the busiest container ports. It handles over 7 million TEUs per year and is in charge of 60% of the nation’s international maritime trade.

Port of Hambantota

The Port of Hambantota is located in the southern region of Sri Lanka. It is a busy port that sees over 39,000 ships and 5,000 oil tankers per year. The port is also Sri Lanka’s most diverse deep-water facility.

Port of Galle

The Port of Galle is the oldest port in Sri Lanka. It spans 320 hectares of land and serves commercial vessels and cruise ships. The port handles a range of cargo, including rice, cement, gypsum, flour, and fertilizers. It operates 24/7.

Cargo ports of arrival in the United States

Port of South Louisiana

The Port of South Louisiana has 13 berths and handles more than 4,000 sea-going vessels per year. It handles over 25% of all oil cargo that moves through the US and 60% of all grain cargo in the Midwest.

Port of Corpus Christi

The Port of Corpus Christi handles over 200 million tonnes of cargo per year. It mostly handles crude oil, agricultural, and LNG shipments. The port has an energy conservation blueprint, one of the few in the US with such a blueprint.

Port of Baltimore

The Port of Baltimore is the 9th biggest port in the US in terms of international cargo handled. It boasts 5 terminals, which include private marine terminals and state-owned terminals. 90% of all general cargo and bulk commodities move through its terminals.

Air Freight from Sri Lanka to the United States: An airport guide

Airports of origin in Sri Lanka

Batticaloa International Airport

The Batticaloa International Airport serves the eastern region of Sri Lanka. In addition to being a commercial airport, it also serves as a military airbase called the Sri Lanka Air Force Batticaloa or SLAF Batticaloa.

Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport

The Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport is Sri Lanka’s main international airport. It is located in the Negombo suburb, 32.5 kilometers north of Colombo, the capital and commercial center of the country. The airport is a hub for Sri Lankan Airlines, FitsAir, Cinnamon Air, Mihin Lanka, Air Ceylon, Upali Air, Simplifly, Cosmos Aviation, Lionair, and Sky Cabs.

Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport

The Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport serves the southeast region of Sri Lanka. It’s located in the town of Mattala, about 18 kilometers from Hambatotoa. The airport is a hub for Helitours and other commercial airlines.

Airports of arrival in the United States

San Bernardino International Airport

The San Bernardino International Airport is located in San Bernardino County in the US State of California. It spans 1,329 acres and boasts a runway that can accommodate the largest existing aircraft in the world. The airport is a hub for Amazon Air.

Orlando International Airport

Orlando International Airport is the primary international airport serving Orlando, Florida. It is the busiest airport in the state and the seventh busiest in the entire US, seeing over 19 million enplanements per year and handling over 212,000 tonnes of freight annually.

San Antonio International Airport

The San Antonio International Airport is located in San Antonio in the US state of Texas. It’s about 8 miles north of Downtown. The airport spans 2,305 acres of land and boasts three runways. It serves as a hub for Merlin Airways.

Why Ship from Sri Lanka to the United States With iContainers?

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.