Ocean & Air Freight Shipping From the United Kingdom to the United States

The United Kingdom and the United States share a long history of robust trade relations, strengthened by mutual prosperity and diplomatic ties. The two nations have long bred an environment where goods, services, and capital move across the Atlantic to strengthen both economies. 

In 2022, imports from the United Kingdom to the United States were valued at $137.4 billion. The trade relationship between both nations continues to evolve. This article looks at the entire ocean and air freight shipping process from the United Kingdom to the United States. 

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

Your options for shipping freight from the United Kingdom to the United States are ocean freight and air freight. 

Ocean Freight From the United Kingdom to the United States

Ocean freight is the cheapest and most flexible way to ship goods from the United Kingdom to the United States. It can accommodate all types of cargo and offers shippers two modes of container shipping: less than container load (LCL) and full container load (FCL). 

LCL is ideal for those shipping small cargo or in small volumes. Here, goods are consolidated with cargo belonging to other shippers and shipped together in one container. That means that each shipper only pays for the space their goods occupy, making it an economical choice for small shipments. 

On the other hand, FCL is where a shipper rents the space in an entire container for their shipment alone. This can be valuable for money if the shipment is large, heavy, or voluminous, maximizing container space. FCL gives shippers more control over their shipping containers. 

Air Freight from the United Kingdom to the United States

Another way to ship goods from the United Kingdom to the United States is air freight. This is the fastest mode of international shipping but also the most expensive. It’s ideal for time-sensitive and perishable shipments and high-value goods that can take advantage of better security and airport regulations. 

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

The cost of shipping cargo from the United Kingdom 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

Determine your shipping costs by using our online freight costs calculator. The table below shows the current cost of shipping a standard 20-foot container from the UK to the US:

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

The transit time for goods shipped from the UK to the US depends mainly on the international shipping mode you select. 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 the United Kingdom to the United States?

Ocean freight from the United Kingdom to the United States will take 15 to 50 days.

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

Air freight from the United Kingdom to the United States will take 2 to 8 days. 

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

Customs Clearance in the United Kingdom and the United States

When your goods arrive in the United States, they must go through customs clearance before being successfully imported. This process should be a breeze, provided you 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

Take a look at our full documents list for examples of these customs clearance requirements. 

Should You Choose Ocean Freight or Air Freight?

The choice between ocean and air freight should consider your needs, priorities, and cargo requirements. Here are some pointers to help you choose the right international shipping mode. 

Ocean Freight

Ocean freight is right for you if you value cost efficiency and flexibility. It will be able to accommodate any type of cargo you’re looking to ship and offers you two ways to ship them: either LCL or 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

You might consider FCL the better option 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 want your goods to arrive in the United States fast, you should choose air freight. It’s best for time-sensitive and perishable items, as the transit time is less than a week. It’s also a good option for high-value goods due to stricter airport regulations that can guarantee cargo security. 

It’s worth noting, however, that air freight is the most expensive shipping option. It’s also unable to accommodate all types of goods, so check their restrictions and prohibitions before planning to ship by air. 

Ocean Cargo Port Guide

Cargo ports of origin in the United Kingdom

Port of Tees

The Port of Tees covers 490 acres and is an important port in the U.K., handling a portion of the nation’s inland traffic. It’s the biggest seaport in the UK and sees 6,000 vessels arrive every year. 

Port of London

The Port of London is the most important trading port in the U.K. It’s also the nation’s second-biggest port facility in terms of tonnage. It has an annual turnover of 4 billion euros. The port boasts 30 berths for sea-going vessels of all sizes. 

Port of Liverpool

The Port of Liverpool spans 12 kilometers and is divided into two ports. Collectively, they house 43 docks with interconnection facilities. The port authority is investing 400 million euros to make this the largest container terminal in the world. 

Cargo ports of arrival in the United States

Port of Cleveland

The Port of Cleveland is a bulk freight and container shipping port. It’s located in Cleveland, Ohia, and is the third largest port in the Great Lakes. It’s also the only container port in the area, seeing around 13 million tonnes in cargo movement.

Port of Beaumont

The Port of Beaumont is located in the US state of Texas. It’s the fourth-busiest port in the United States in terms of tonnage. The port sees 9 million TEUs annually, with the top imports including metal articles, eucalyptus pulp, wind turbine components, and aggregate. 

Port of Wilmington

The Port of Wilmington is located at the Christina River and the Delaware River confluence. It is one of the top ports for the import of fresh fruit, juice concentrate, and bananas. The port can handle complex cargo, handling 6 million TEUs per year. 

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

Airports of origin in the United Kingdom

East Midlands Airport

The East Midlands Airport serves the East Midlands of England. It’s a hub for Ryanair, Jet2.com, easyJet, TUI Airways, DHL Air UK, and more. The airport sees 2,056 dedicated cargo aircraft movements per year. 

London Stansted Airport

The London Stansted Airport is one of the three international airports serving London, England. It is located in Stanstead Mountfitchet, Essex, 42 miles northeast of central London. The airport sees 843 dedicated cargo aircraft movements per year. 

London Luton Airport

The London Luton Airport is located in Luton, Bedfordshire, England, 1.7 miles east of the town center and 29 miles north of central London. It is a hub for easyJet, Ryanair, Wizz Air, Wizz Air UK, TUI Airways, and more. The airport sees around 137 dedicated cargo aircraft movements per year. 

Airports of arrival in the United States

Memphis International Airport 

The Memphis International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world in terms of total cargo tonnage. It has an annual economic impact of $213.3 billion, seeing a cargo volume of 4.2 million tonnes per year. 

Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport

The Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport handles 2.6 million tonnes of cargo annually. Most of its traffic is freight, with 80% of all goods shipped by freighter aircraft over the Pacific. It’s ranked among the world’s top five airports for cargo throughput. 

Louisville International Airport 

Louisville International Airport is one of the most popular airports in the world. It handles over 5 billion pounds of cargo, freight, and mail per year—2.3 million tonnes of cargo. It has a 5.2 million-square-foot cargo facility that can sort up to 416,000 packages per hour.