Ocean & Air Freight Shipping From Sweden to the United States

Trade between Sweden and the United States traces back to the 18th century. Since then, the partnership has evolved, creating a solid trade relationship between the two nations. Sweden, known for its high-quality manufacturing and technological industries, is a prime supplier for the diverse and expansive market in the United States. 

In 2022, Sweden exported $10.2 billion worth of goods to the United States, with cars being the top product, accounting for $3.4 billion. This is followed by packaged medicaments at $3.4 billion and vaccines, blood, antisera, toxins, and cultures at $1.18 billion. 

To ship from Sweden to the United States, you need to understand the process and your ocean and air freight shipping options. This article covers everything you need to know. 

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

You can choose between ocean freight and air freight to ship cargo from Sweden to the United States. 

Ocean Freight From Sweden to the United States

Shippers who value cost efficiency and flexibility often opt for ocean freight. It’s much cheaper than air shipping and can transport any type of cargo you need to get to the United States. It even offers you two options for container shipping: less than container load (LCL) and full container load (FCL). 

LCL involves the consolidation process. Here, your goods will be consolidated with cargo from other shippers and shipped together in one container. You only pay for the space your goods occupy, which makes it an economical choice if you’re transporting small cargo or shipping in small volumes. 

FCL, on the other hand, allows you to rent an entire container for your goods alone. Larger shipments should maximize the space in the shipping unit. 

Air Freight from Sweden to the United States

Air freight is another way to ship goods from Sweden to the United States. It’s famous for its speed, allowing your cargo to reach its destination faster than ocean freight. It’s also very secure, with stricter airport regulations helping ensure cargo security. 

Air freight, however, is more expensive and less flexible than ocean freight. It costs significantly more to ship by air than by sea. It’s also quite limiting regarding your cargo's nature, size, weight, and volume. 

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

The cost of shipping goods from Sweden to the United States 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 accurate estimate of your shipping costs, utilize our freight costs calculator. Below, you'll find the current cost for shipping a standard 20-foot container from Sweden to the US:

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

Shipping goods from Sweden to the United States 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 Sweden to the United States?

Ocean freight from Sweden to the United States takes 15 to 50 days. 

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

Air freight from Sweden to the United States will take about 2-8 days. 

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

Customs Clearance in Sweden and the United States

When your goods arrive in the United States, they will be inspected and processed by the customs clearance authorities. For this, you will need to prepare and submit 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

We have a full documents list you can look at for examples of these customs clearance requirements. 

Should You Choose Ocean Freight or Air Freight?

When planning your shipment, the most significant decision you’ll need to make is whether to ship by sea or air. To help you make the right choice, we’ve outlined some pointers for you to consider below. 

Ocean Freight

If your needs concern cost efficiency and flexibility, we recommend shipping by sea. Ocean freight is the cheapest and most flexible way to ship from Sweden to the United States. It can accommodate any cargo you need to transport and even offers you two options for container shipping. 

Considerations for LCL Freight Shipping

LCL is suitable for you 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

If speed and security are your priorities, air freight is your best option. An air freight shipment from Sweden to the United States only takes about a week to complete, making it ideal for time-sensitive and high-value goods. It’s also a good choice if you’re shipping high-value cargo, with strict airport regulations helping protect your goods. 

However, consider your budget before settling for air freight, as air freight is the most expensive way to ship overseas. It’s also not as flexible as ocean freight, unable to ship all types of goods and putting limits on their weight, size, and volume. 

Ocean Cargo Port Guide

Cargo ports of origin in Sweden

Port of Stockholm

The Port of Stockholm is located on the eastern Swedish coastline, occupying 1,755 hectares of land. It is a cargo-handling facility and is one of the most popular cruise terminals. The port handles exporting goods like iron and steel, paper, machine equipment, wood pulp, timber, and packaged food. 

Port of Gavle

The Port of Gavle is the third-largest container port in Sweden, handling over 4.65 million tonnes of cargo per year and visited by over 1,000 ships. It can handle various cargo types, including bulk cargo, stainless scrap, paper, wood, alloys, scrap steel, and clays. 

Port of Helsingborg

The Port of Helsingborg is located at the mouth of the Baltic Sea. It’s Sweden's most important ferry port, visited by over 46,500 ships per year. The port handles 7.9 million tonnes of cargo and 2.45 million automobiles annually. 

Cargo ports of arrival in the United States

Port of Miami

The Port of Miami is the closest harbor to the Panama Canal. It’s the only port in the United States to handle neo-Panamax vessels, allowing it to accommodate cargo and cruise ships. 

Port of Houston

The Port of Houston is the fastest-developing American Port. It’s located in Houston, Texas. It ranks seventh in the United States in terms of total amount of cargo handled. In fact, it’s in charge of 70% of the U.S. Gulf Coast’s container traffic per year. 

Port of Seattle

The Port of Seattle is the fifth busiest in the United States and the second on the West Coast. It’s a food transportation hub for the shipment of automobiles to Eurasia or Africa. 

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

Airports of origin in Sweden

Stockholm Arlanda Airport

The Stockholm Arlanda Airport is the international airport that serves Sweden's capital, Stockholm. It’s the busiest freight airport in the country, handling over 96,000 metric tonnes of goods per year. 

Örebro Airport

The Örebro Airport is located 10 kilometers southwest of Örebro. It is the fourth-largest cargo airport in Sweden, handling over 8,000 metric tonnes of cargo per year. The airport is a hub for Nextjet AB and Sveaflyg.

Göteborg Landvetter Airport

The Göteborg Landvetter Airport serves the region of Gothenburg, Sweden. It’s the second-largest airport in the country by passenger traffic and is also a critical freight airport. It handles over 16,000 metric tonnes of cargo per year. 

Airports of arrival in the United States

Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport

The Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport is the second-largest cargo airport in the United States. Its location is 9.5 hours from 90% of the industrialized world, making it an essential technical stop for planes. 

Los Angeles International Airport

The Los Angeles International Airport is an essential hub for U.S. international trade. It is the fourth-largest airport in the U.S. for landed cargo weight. The top commodity imported through this airport is electronics. 

Tampa International Airport

The Tampa International Airport is the second-largest cargo airport in the state of Florida and 26th in the United States. It has seen rapid growth in the last couple of years, handling 231% more cargo.