Ocean & Air Freight Shipping From Taiwan to the United States

The trade relationship between Taiwan and the US continues to evolve. Taiwan, an important technological hub, has become quite a significant trade partner for the US. So much so that in 2022, Taiwan exported $91.7 billion worth of goods to the US, marking a 19.1% increase from the previous year and a 36% increase from the last decade. 

Shipping from Taiwan to the US can be complex. If you are looking to transport goods in this trade lane, you need to know everything you can about the process. This guide provides you with ocean and air freight shipping options, customs clearance, shipping costs, transit time, and more. 

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

The first thing to know is that there are two ways to ship freight from Taiwan to the US: ocean and air freight. 

Ocean Freight From Taiwan to the United States

Ocean freight is the most popular shipping option, preferred by shippers because of its affordability and flexibility. At a budget-friendly cost, ocean freight can transport any type of cargo to the US. It even offers two options for container shipping, namely less-than-container load (LCL) and full-container load (FCL). 

LCL is used for small shipments. Here, your goods will be consolidated with cargo belonging to other shippers and shipped together in one container. You only need to pay for the space your cargo occupies, making it an economical option for small volumes of cargo. 

FCL is where a shipper rents the space in an entire container for their goods alone. It’s best for larger shipments as you get more space, control, and security for your cargo. While it’s more expensive than LCL, FCL makes up for it with faster transit times. 

Air Freight from Taiwan to the United States

Another way you can ship goods from Taiwan to the US is by air. This is the fastest mode of international transport, and it can get your goods to their destination in a couple of days. It’s also the most secure, with strict airport processes and regulations helping guarantee the safety of cargo. 

Air freight is popular among those shipping time-sensitive, perishable, and high-value goods. However, it does come with its drawbacks. First, it’s the most expensive way to ship cargo from Taiwan to the US. Second, it’s not as flexible as ocean freight, unable to ship cargo of all types, sizes, volumes, and weights. 

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

The cost of shipping cargo from Taiwan 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 Taiwan to the US:

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

Shipping goods from Taiwan 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 Taiwan to the United States?

If you ship by sea, you can expect your shipment to complete in 15-50 days. 

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

If you ship by air, you can receive your cargo in the US in 2-8 days.

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

Customs Clearance in Taiwan and the United States

Goods that arrive in a US port or airport from Taiwan will need to go through the customs clearance process. This will require the following documents from you: 

• 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 choosing between ocean and air freight, you need to weigh your options carefully and choose the right shipping option based on your needs, priorities, and cargo requirements. Here are some important pointers to help you decide. 

Ocean Freight

Ocean freight is great for those who value cost efficiency and flexibility in their shipping endeavors. It can accommodate any cargo you need to get from Taiwan to the US and even provides you with two container shipping options to optimize factors like shipping costs and container space. 

Considerations for LCL Freight Shipping

LCL is the best option 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 might be more suitable for you 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 to get your goods from Taiwan to the US fast, then you should ship by air. Air freight is the fastest mode of international shipping, making it highly suitable for time-sensitive and perishable cargo. It’s also the most secure way to transport goods, making it a good choice if you’re shipping high-value items. 

However, remember that air freight is significantly more expensive than ocean freight. It might require a second look at your budget before committing. It’s also not as flexible, unable to accommodate all cargo types, and puts strict limits on your shipments' weight, size, and volume. 

Ocean Cargo Port Guide

Cargo ports of origin in Taiwan

Port of Kaohsiung

The Port of Kaohsiung is among the biggest container handling facilities in the world. It is visited by over 5,000 vessels annually and handles over 18.9 million tonnes of cargo annually. The port functions as Taiwan’s logistic hub and is a transshipment center of the Asia-Pacific region. 

Port of Anping

The Port of Anping is the most important auxiliary port of the Kaohsiung port. It was once the biggest harbor in Taiwan but declined in importance over the years. The port handles a wide range of cargo, including construction materials, steel products, chemicals, and plastic goods. 

Port of Keelung

The Port of Keelung is the second-biggest port in Taiwan, visited by more than 3000 vessels annually. It handles over 1.7 TEUs per year, mostly carrying minerals, construction equipment, petroleum, and oil. The port boasts 40 storage facilities that can store over 128,000 tonnes of cargo. 

Cargo ports of arrival in the United States

Port of Newark-Elizabeth

The Port of Newark-Elizabeth is one of the foremost container ports in America. Over 1.1 million square meters of its land area is dedicated to its container terminal, which is one of the largest cargo facilities in the US. The port handles over 9.4 million TEUs per year. 

Port of Savannah

The Port of Savannah has a natural deep-water harbor that helps facilitate trade in the US. It houses two major terminals, namely the Garden City Terminal and the Ocean Terminal, both of which can handle a wide variety of cargo. The Garden City Terminal, in particular, is the largest single-terminal container facility of its kind in North America. 

Port of Houston

The Port of Houston is an important port for American maritime commerce. It has a total of eight public facilities, including a premier breakbulk installation and two container terminals. The port can welcome the largest vessels in maritime trade and generates over $906 billion in the nation’s economy. 

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

Airports of origin in Taiwan

Taoyuan International Airport

The Taoyuan International Airport, also called the Taipei-Taoyuan International Airport, is located in Taoyuan City. It serves northern Taiwan, including the country’s capital city, Taipei. The airport serves as a hub for EVA Air, China Airlines, Starlux Airlines, Tigerair Taiwan, and more. 

Taichung International Airport 

The Taichung International Airport is located in Taichung, Taiwan. It serves both commercial and military purposes. It’s the nation’s fourth busiest airport and a hub for Mandarin Airlines and Emerald Pacific Airlines. The airport sees over 30,800 aircraft movements per year. 

Airports of arrival in the United States

Memphis International Airport

The Memphis International Airport is the US’ second-busiest cargo airport. It serves as a major hub for FedEx, one of the world’s largest air cargo hubs. The airport’s central location makes it suitable for both international and domestic shipments. 

Los Angeles International Airport

The Los Angeles International Airport is the fourth busiest cargo airport in the US and one of the busiest in the world. It handles over 2 million tonnes of cargo per year. The airport’s facilities are used by the largest air freight companies in the globe, making it a prime hub for international trade. 

Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport

The Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport is the busiest cargo airport in the US and one of the busiest in the world. It’s located in the US state of Alaska and serves as a hub for both international and domestic shipments.