Ocean & Air Freight Shipping From Ukraine to the United States

Both nations have mutual interests in diversifying their trade portfolios, so Ukraine and the United States have a trade relationship that has grown substantially over the years. 

Ukraine, one of the largest countries in Europe, offers the U.S. opportunities in sectors such as energy, agriculture, and technology. In particular, the country is a leading global exporter of grain, sunflower oil, and other commodities, helping meet the growing demand for these goods in the United States. 

In April 2024 alone, the export of Ukrainian goods to the United States amounted to $88.4 million, with the main commodities being pig iron, pipes, sunflower seeds, juices, and soybeans. 

If you are looking to ship cargo from Ukraine to the United States, here’s everything you need to know about your ocean and air freight shipping options. 

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

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

Ocean Freight From Ukraine to the United States

Ocean freight is the most budget-friendly way to ship goods from Ukraine to the United States. It’s also quite flexible, able to ship a wide range of commodities, and offers shippers two options for container shipping: less-than-container load (LCL) and full-container load (FCL). 

LCL is used by those with small shipments. Here, goods are consolidated with cargo belonging to other shippers, making it cost-effective, as each shipper only pays for the space their goods occupy. But to truly take advantage of LCL's lower price, it’s only ideal for shipping small cargo or small volumes of goods. 

FCL, on the other hand, is where a shipper rents the space in an entire container for their goods alone. It can provide good value for money if the items shipped are large in size or volume. It can also get your goods to the United States faster than LCL. 

Air Freight from Ukraine to the United States

Another way to ship goods from Ukraine to the United States is air freight. This is the fastest way to ship cargo from one nation to another, making it highly preferred by shippers for time-sensitive or perishable goods. 

Air freight is also quite secure, thanks to strict airport regulations and processes. However, that does not mean it can accommodate all types of cargo, sizes, weights, and volumes. 

The main drawback of air freight is its cost. It can get significantly more expensive than ocean freight, depending on what and how much you’re shipping. 

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

The cost of shipping cargo from Ukraine to the United States 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 Ukraine to the United States in the table below:

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

The transit time for goods shipped from Ukraine to the United States 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 Ukraine to the United States?

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

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

Air freight from Ukraine to the United States takes about 2 to 8 days. 

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

Customs Clearance in Ukraine and the United States

When your Ukrainian goods arrive in the United States, they will go through the customs clearance process, for which you will need to be ready with 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

We have a full documents list you can take a look at for examples of each customs clearance requirement. 

Should You Choose Ocean Freight or Air Freight?

Your needs, priorities, and cargo requirements come into play when deciding whether to ship by ocean or air. To help you make the right choice, here are some factors you need to consider. 

Ocean Freight

If your priority is shipping on a budget, then go for ocean freight. It doesn’t cost an arm and a leg to ship by sea. This mode of shipment is also great if you need flexibility, as ocean freight can accommodate almost all types of cargo in either LCL or FCL. 

Considerations for LCL Freight Shipping

You can choose LCL 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 might be better 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 your ultimate priority is to get your goods from Ukraine to the United States fast, then you should definitely choose air freight. An air freight shipment only takes a little over a week to complete, perfect for shippers of time-sensitive or perishable goods. 

Those shipping high-value cargo also prefer it, as air freight’s strict processes and pallets can guarantee cargo security. 

However, keep in mind that air freight rates can be significantly higher than ocean freight. Air freight can also not ship all types of goods and limits their size, weight, and volume. 

Ocean Cargo Port Guide

Cargo ports of origin in Ukraine

Port of Chernihiv

The Port of Chernihiv is located on the Desna River in the regional center of Chernihiv, Oblast, Ukraine. It was founded in 1964 and has served the cargo and passenger traffic area since then. The port is classified as an open joint-stock company.

Port of Dnipro

The Port of Dnipro is located in inland Europe, particularly in Ukraine. It serves the city of Dnipro, handling a wide range of goods for export, including grain, metal, sand, gravel, lumber, and more. It also packages in bulk and on pallets. 

Port of Evpatoria

The Port of Evpatoria is located on the northern coast of Kalamitiskiy Bay. It is divided into two areas: a cargo-passenger terminal and a ferry-broker cargo terminal. The port can handle general cargo, passenger vessels, and Ro-Ro vessels. It’s also home to a small fishing fleet. 

Cargo ports of arrival in the United States

Port of Los Angeles

The Port of Los Angeles, nicknamed America’s Port, is the biggest port in North America and the busiest port in the world. It is located in San Pedro Bay, California, and boasts 25 cargo terminals that span 7,500 acres. 

Port of Long Beach

The Port of Long Beach is located in Southern California. It’s the second-busiest port in North America, handling over 8 million TEUs annually. The port spans 3,200 acres of land and houses 80 cargo berths that can handle all types of cargo. 

Port of New York and New Jersey

The Port of New York and New Jersey is the third-largest port in North America. It can handle over 7 million TEUs and is particularly adept at handling heavyweight containerized cargo. It is home to key cargo terminals. 

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

Airports of origin in Ukraine

Hotel Airport

The Hostomel Airport, also called the Antonov Airport, is an international cargo airport in Ukraine. It is located near Hostomel, a northwestern suburb of Kyiv. The airport is a hub for Antonov Airlines and offers cargo services, including transshipping, storage, border control, and customs. 

Boryspil International Airport

The Boryspil International Airport is located in Boryspil, 29 kilometers east of Kyiv, the capital city of Ukraine. While 65% of its operations are passenger traffic, it also has cargo operations. It is a hub for Turkish Cargo. 

Airports of arrival in the United States

Philadelphia International Airport

The Philadelphia International Airport serves Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. It is the 21st busiest airport in the U.S. by passenger traffic and a hub for American Airlines, US Airways, PSA Airlines, and more. 

Newark Liberty International Airport

The Newark Liberty International Airport is an international airport located between the cities of Newark, Essex County, and Elizabeth, Union County, in New Jersey. It serves as a major gateway to Europe, South America, Asia, and Oceania. 

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport

The Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is the primary international airport serving Seattle and its metropolitan area. It ranks 21st among U.S. airports in terms of air cargo traffic and is a hub for Alaska Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Horizon Air, and more.