Ocean & Air Freight Shipping from Tunisia to the United States

With its prime location at the crossroads of the Mediterranean and North Africa, Tunisia has become an important partner for strategic trade for the United States. The nation also boasts a strong commitment to economic reform and diversification, making its market attractive for American goods and investment.

Tunisia and the US have expanded their trade relationship significantly in the last few years. In 2022, Tunisian exports to the US amounted to $700 million. The top commodities included pure olive oil, crude petroleum, and refined petroleum.

If you are looking to ship from Tunisia to the US, you’ve come to the right place. Here is your complete guide to the ocean and air freight shipping process.

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

You have two options for shipping freight from Tunisia to the US: ocean and air freight.

Ocean Freight from Tunisia to the United States

Ocean freight is the most popular shipping option due to its affordability and flexibility. It can accommodate any type of cargo you need to transport and even offers two options for container shipping to allow you to optimize your shipment. These options are less than container load (LCL) and full container load (FCL).

LCL is used by shippers to transport small cargo. Their goods will be consolidated with cargo belonging to other shippers and shipped together in one container. Each shipper only needs to pay for the space their goods occupy, making this an economical ocean freight shipping choice.

FCL is for those with larger shipping needs. They rent the space in an entire container for their goods alone, giving them more space, control, and security for their shipment. This can provide good value for money if the space inside the container is maximized with large, heavy-weight cargo or large volumes of goods.

Air Freight from Tunisia to the United States

The other way goods can be transported from Tunisia to the US is by air. This is the fastest international shipping mode, and it only takes a few days to complete. This makes it ideal for time-sensitive, perishable cargo.

Air freight is also the most secure cargo shipping option. Since airports have stricter regulations and processes, they can better guarantee the security of high-value goods.

However, air freight can become significantly more expensive than ocean freight. It’s also less flexible and unable to accommodate cargo of all types, sizes, weights, and volumes.

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

The cost of shipping cargo from Tunisia 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 Tunisia to the US in the table below:

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

The transit time for goods shipped from Tunisia to the US is mainly determined by your selected international shipping method. However, other influencing factors include:

• The season of shipment (peak or low season)
• Whether the shipment route is direct or not
• The trade lane's popularity
• Geopolitical instability
• Possible incidents at any port

How long does it take to ship cargo by sea from Tunisia to the United States?

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

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

Air freight from Tunisia to the US takes only 2-8 days.

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

Customs Clearance in Tunisia and the United States

Once your goods arrive in the US from Tunisia, they will go through the customs clearance process. This should be a breeze as long as you have prepared and submitted the following paperwork:

• 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

For examples of these customs clearance requirements, refer to our full documents list.

Should You Choose Ocean Freight or Air Freight?

When choosing between ocean and air freight, you should consider your needs, priorities, and cargo requirements. Here are some pointers to help you decide.

Ocean Freight

Ocean freight is a good option for you if you’re transporting goods that are otherwise not allowed in air freight. It can transport any type of cargo, from large to small and heavy to light. It’s also the most affordable shipping option.

When opting for ocean freight, choose wisely between LCL and FCL.

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

FCL is a good option 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 should be your shipping option of choice if you need your cargo to arrive in the US fast. It can complete a shipment in a matter of days, perfect for time-sensitive and perishable cargo. It’s also the most secure shipping option, ideal for high-value goods.

However, be wary of the cost, as air freight can get significantly more expensive than ocean freight. You should also know that air freight cannot accommodate all types of cargo and puts limits on your shipment’s size, weight, and volume.

Ocean Cargo Port Guide

Cargo ports of origin in Tunisia

Port of Sfax

The Port of Sfax is one of Tunisia’s largest ports and one of the oldest in the country. It has long contributed to the nation’s economic growth. The port boasts oil berths measuring over 200 meters long and 3.7 thousand meters of storage space.

Port of La Goulette

The Port of La Goulette is among the most popular ports in Tunisia. It handles the shipment of cars, bulk cereals, and other essentials and exports the commodities to the US and Europe. The port is located 10 kilometers away from Tunis, the capital of Tunis.

Port of Gabes

The Port of Gabes is an industrial port that transports bulk amounts of sulfur, ammonia, and other phosphate fertilizers. It accounts for over 20% of Tunisia’s trade, exports, and imports of over 5 million tonnes of goods annually.

Cargo ports of arrival in the United States

Port of Houston

The Port of Houston is the busiest foreign tonnage handling port in the United States, handling over 280 million metric tonnes of cargo movement per year. In 2023, it handled 3.8 million TEUs. It’s also the fifth biggest container port in the US, handling 73% of the US Gulf Coast’s container traffic.

Port of Corpus Christi

The Port of Corpus Christi handled over 200 million tonnes of cargo in 2023, the first time in its history. It saw a rise in the export of crude oil and agricultural commodities. It is among the few ports in the US with an energy conservation blueprint.

Port of New Orleans

The Port of New Orleans connects over 14,500 miles of trading waterways to the American coast. It is one of the busiest ports in the country, seeing over 36,000 vessel calls per year. In 2023, it handled over 455,000 TEUs.

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

Airports of origin in Tunisia

Tunis–Carthage International Airport

The Tunis–Carthage International Airport is located in Tunis, the capital of Tunisia. It is the home base for airlines like Tunisair, Tunisair Express, Nouvelair Tunisia, and Tunisavia. The airport was named after the historic city of Carthage, which is located east of it.

Sfax–Thyna International Airport

The Sfax–Thyna International Airport serves the city of Sfax in Tunisia. It’s located around 6 kilometers southwest of Sfax, particularly in Route de l'aéroport. The airport is a significant hub for Syphax Airlines.

Airports of arrival in the United States

Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport

The Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport is the busiest cargo airport in the US and the world. Located in the US state of Alaska, it is a hub for both domestic and international shipments and serves as a stop for most air cargo carriers.

Los Angeles International Airport

The Los Angeles International Airport is one of the world’s busiest airports. In the US, it ranks 4th among the busiest cargo airports, handling over 2 million tonnes of cargo per year. It’s a major hub for international trade, with its air freight operations responsible for billions of dollars of economic activity every year.

Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport

Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport is the third busiest cargo airport in the US. It handles over 2 million tonnes of cargo per year and boasts a range of air freight facilities used by some of the largest air freight companies in the world.

##Why Ship From Tunisia to the United States With iContainers?

Shipping cargo requires considering various factors, such as the season, the size of the cargo, the shipping method, and the origin and destination.

With years of industry expertise, iContainers combines traditional freight forwarding services with advanced technology for your convenience. Our digital platform allows you to oversee your entire shipment—from requesting a quote to booking and tracking your cargo—all from your mobile device.

Feel free to contact us for a free quote at any time. We are always available to provide the information you need.