Ocean & Air Freight Shipping from Tanzania to the United States

Tanzania is one of the fastest-growing economies in East Africa, offering an abundance of natural resources, such as minerals and agricultural products, to the world. This makes it a significant exporter for the US, which helps fuel Tanzania’s industrial markets.

The trade between Tanzania and the US spans a wide range of products, including coffee, tobacco, tea, and minerals like gold and precious metals. In 2022, US goods imports from Tanzania amounted to $164 million, which accounts for a 67.5% increase from the previous year.

When shipping from Tanzania to the US, you need to be familiar with the intricacies of the process to achieve a successful shipment. In this guide, we will tell you everything you need to know.

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

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

Ocean Freight From Tanzania to the United States

Ocean freight is the most popular way to ship goods from Tanzania to the US. This is because of its affordability and flexibility. Ocean freight can accommodate any type of cargo that needs to be transported to the US. It even offers shippers two container shipping options: less than container load (LCL) and full container load (FCL).

LCL is used by shippers of small cargo. Here, their goods will be consolidated with shipments from other sellers and shipped together in one container. Each shipper will only need to pay for the space their goods occupy, making this an economical shipping option.

FCL is where a shipper rents the space in an entire container for their goods alone. This gives them more space, control, and security for their shipment. Although FCL is more expensive than LCL, it can provide good value for money if the space inside the container is maximized with large shipments.

Air Freight from Tanzania to the United States

Another way to transport freight from Tanzania to the US is through air freight. The fastest mode of international shipping, air freight can get cargo to its destination in a matter of days. This makes it highly suitable for time-sensitive and perishable shipments.

It’s also the most secure way to ship goods, with strict airport regulations and processes helping guarantee cargo security during transit. Thus, air freight is preferred by shippers of high-value commodities.

It’s worth noting, however, that air freight isn’t budget-friendly. Its shipping fees can be significantly higher than ocean freight. It’s also not as flexible, unable to accommodate all types of cargo and putting limits on your shipment’s size, weight, and volume.

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

The cost of shipping cargo from Tanzania to the US will depend on several 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

To determine your shipping costs, use our online freight costs calculator. Additionally, you can find the current cost of shipping a standard 20-foot container from Tanzania to the US in the table below:

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

The cost of shipping cargo from Tanzania to the US will depend on several factors. These 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 Tanzania to the United States?

Ocean freight from Tanzania to the US will take 15-50 days.

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

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

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

Customs Clearance in Tanzania and the United States

Once your goods land in a US port or airport, they will go through the customs clearance process. For this, you need 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 these customs clearance requirements, take a look at our full documents list.

Should You Choose Ocean Freight or Air Freight?

When choosing the right mode of shipping for you, you need to consider your needs, priorities, and the requirements of your cargo. Here are some pointers to help you make the right decision.

Ocean Freight

Ocean freight is a good option for shippers on a budget or those transporting cargo with special requirements. This is because it can accommodate any type of cargo while having shipping fees that don’t break the bank.

Ocean freight also allows you to optimize your shipment with two options for container shipping.

Considerations for LCL Freight Shipping

LCL is best 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 better 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

Air freight is for shipments that need to get to the US fast. It’s the fastest mode of international shipping, often taking only 2-8 days to complete. Thus, air freight is suitable for time-sensitive and perishable goods.

It’s also pretty secure, with strict airport regulations helping guarantee the protection of your cargo during transit. If you are shipping high-value goods, then it’s best to use air freight.

Before deciding to ship by air, remember that air freight’s costs can be significantly higher than ocean freight. It’s also not flexible and cannot accommodate cargo of all types, sizes, weights, and volumes.

Ocean Cargo Port Guide

Cargo ports of origin in Tanzania

Port of Dar es Salaam

The Port of Dar es Salaam is the fourth biggest facility on the Indian Ocean coast of Africa. It’s also Tanzania’s busiest port, handling over 90% of its international maritime trade. The port has a capacity of 10 million tonnes of cargo per year, including 4 million tonnes of dry general cargo, 6 million tonnes of liquid bulk, and 1 million tonnes of containers.

Port of Tanga

The Port of Tanga is the longest-serving facility in the East African region. It’s the second biggest port in Tanzania, serving the northern part of the country. The port exports goods such as cement, timber, fertilizers, tea, beans, and coffee. It handles over 700,000 tonnes per year.

Port of Mtwara

The Port of Mtwara is Tanzania’s third major deepwater port. It lies at the mouth of the Mturara River in the southern part of the country. The port handles general cargo, with the main exports being cashew nuts, sisal, and cassava roots. It sees over 750,000 million tonnes of cargo annually.

Cargo ports of arrival in the United States

Port of Long Beach

The Port of Long Beach is the second busiest port in North America, handling over 8 million TEUs per year. It boasts 80 cargo berths within its 3,200-acre land area, allowing it to handle all types of commodities. The port has an annual container value of $180 billion.

Port of Houston

The Port of Houston is among North America's largest and busiest ports, handling over 3 million TEUs per year. It’s an essential hub for containerized cargo, able to handle a wide range of goods from consumer products to steel and machinery.

Port of Seattle-Tacoma

The Port of Seattle-Tacoma is one of the largest container ports in North America, handling over 4 million TEUs per year. The port boasts a range of terminals that allow it to handle a wide range of goods, including containerized cargo, agricultural products, and automobiles.

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

Airports of origin in Tanzania

Julius Nyerere International Airport

The Julius Nyerere International Airport is located in Dar es Salaam, the largest city in Tanzania. It is a central hub for Air Tanzania, Precision Air, Coastal Aviation, Flightlink, and more. In recent years, the airport handled over 15,800 metric tonnes of cargo.

Kilimanjaro International Airport

The Kilimanjaro International Airport is located in the district of Hai in the region of Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. It serves the cities of Moshi and Arusha. The airport is a hub for Precision Air. It sees over 19.7 thousand aircraft movements per year and handles more than 3,200 tonnes of cargo annually.

Airports of arrival in the United States

Perot Field Fort Worth Alliance Airport

The Perot Field Fort Worth Alliance Airport is a public airport located 14 miles north of the Forth Worth central business district in the US state of Texas. It’s a central hub for FedEx Express and a major focus city of Amazon Air.

Orlando International Airport

The Orlando International Airport is the primary international airport for downtown Orlando in the US state of Florida. It’s the busiest airport in the state, with over 19.6 million enplanements. The airport handles over 212,000 tonnes of freight per year.

Laredo International Airport

The Laredo International Airport is located three miles northeast of downtown Laredo in Webb County, Texas. It is a non-hub primary commercial service airport categorized by the National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems. It sees over 45,000 aircraft operations annually.

Why Ship From Tanzania to the United States With iContainers?

Shipping cargo is influenced by various factors, including the season, shipment size, shipping method, and the starting and ending locations.

iContainers, with years of industry expertise, combines traditional freight forwarding services with modern technology to enhance your convenience. Our digital platform lets you manage every aspect of your shipment—from requesting a quote to booking and tracking your cargo—all from your mobile device.

Reach out to us for a free quote whenever you need. We are always ready to assist you with the information you need.