Ocean & Air Freight Shipping from the United States to Austria

The United States and Austria have strong economies and a shared commitment to sustainability and innovation. These are reflected in their trade relationship, which spans many industries, from industrial machinery and agricultural products to high-tech goods and pharmaceuticals.

In 2022, the US exported $4.57 billion worth of commodities to Austria. The top goods included vaccines, blood, antisera, toxins, and cultures, hormones, and coal briquettes.

Should you need to transport goods from the US to Austria, you need to be well-versed in the process to achieve a successful shipment. In this guide, we provide you with everything you need to know.

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

You have two options for shipping freight from the US to Austria. These are ocean freight and air freight.

Ocean Freight From the United States to Austria

Ocean freight is popular for its affordability and flexibility. It can transport any type of cargo you need to get to Austria, providing you with two options for container shipping. These are less than the container load (LCL) and full container load (FCL).

Shippers use LCL to transport small volumes of goods. Their cargo is consolidated with shipments from other sellers, which means each shipper only has to pay for the space their goods occupy. This is the more economical choice for small shipments.

FCL is where a shipper rents the space in an entire container for their goods alone. Getting more space, security, and control over their shipment, FCL is a good option for high-value and large volumes of cargo.

Air Freight from the United States to Austria

The second option for freight shipping from the US to Austria is air freight. This is the fastest mode of international shipping, requiring only 2 to 8 days to complete. It’s also the most secure, with strict airport regulations helping guarantee cargo security. Because of these reasons, air freight is popular for time-sensitive, perishable, and high-value goods.

It does have its cons, though. The first one is its cost, which can be significantly higher than ocean freight. Second is its lack of flexibility, unable to ship cargo of all types, sizes, weights, and volumes.

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

The cost of shipping cargo from the US to Austria 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

For an estimate of your shipping costs, use our online freight costs calculator. The table below lists the current cost of shipping a standard 20-foot container from the US to Austria:

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

The duration for shipping goods from the US to Austria is primarily influenced by the international shipping mode chosen. Other factors that can affect this 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 the United States to Austria?

It takes 15 to 50 days to ship cargo from the US to Austria by sea.

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

Air freight from the US to Austria takes 2 to 8 days.

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

Customs Clearance in the United States and Austria

Goods that arrive in Austria from overseas will go through the customs clearance process. This requires that the following documents are ready when they reach an Austrian port or airport:

• 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

Refer to our full documents list for examples of these customs clearance requirements.

Should You Choose Ocean Freight or Air Freight?

Choosing between ocean and air freight can be complicated. But not if you have the following pointers to help you decide:

Ocean Freight

Ocean freight is ideal for shippers on a budget or those who are transporting goods with specific requirements. That’s because this shipping option is highly affordable and flexible. In fact, two options for container shipping can help you optimize your shipment even further.

Considerations for LCL Freight Shipping

LCL should be your choice 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

Choose FCL 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 speed is a priority of yours, then air freight might be the more suitable shipping option. It only takes 2-8 days for an air freight shipment to complete, making it ideal for time-sensitive and perishable shipments.

This is also the most secure way to transport goods. There are strict airport regulations in place that can guarantee cargo security during the process.

However, air freight can have some cons that you may want to consider. The first is its cost. Shipping fees for air freight are much higher than those for ocean freight. It’s also not as flexible, with strict rules on what you can and can’t ship and the size, weight, and volume of your cargo.

Ocean Cargo Port Guide

Cargo ports of origin in the United States

Port of New York and New Jersey

The Port of New York and New Jersey is the largest port on the US East Coast. It has a strategic location, with access to transportation connection networks. It’s an essential link in the transatlantic trade route. The port handles over 4.3 million containers per year.

Port of Savannah

The Port of Savannah is a key player in global trade, handling over 5.76 million TEUs per year. It’s among the busiest ports on the US East Coast. The port has two deepwater terminals that can accommodate the world’s largest vessels.

Port of Long Beach

The Port of Long Beach is the US’ third busiest port, handling over 9.13 million TEUs and 78.2 million metric revenue tonnes of cargo per year. It’s a well-developed port spanning 3,200 acres of land and boasting 80 berths.

Cargo ports of arrival in Austria

Port of Vienna

The Port of Vienna is located on the Danube River. It’s the largest and busiest port in Austria. It boasts a central location, making it an ideal gateway for goods entering and leaving Eastern Europe. It also has vital road and rail connections.

Port of Linz

The Port of Linz is the largest port on the Upper Danube River. It is an important transshipment point for goods entering and leaving Austria. The port handles various cargo types, including bulk goods, containers, and general cargo.

Port of Salzburg

The Port of Salzburg is a well-developed port serving as an important logistics hub. The port offers a range of cargo services, from handling and storage to distribution. The port’s logistics solutions are highly efficient. It also boasts proximity to major road and rail networks.

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

Airports of origin in the United States

Denver International Airport

The Denver International Airport is located in the Western United States. It serves the Denver, Colorado, metropolitan area and the more significant Front Range Urban Corridor. The airport is a hub for United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Frontier Airlines, and more.

Bradley International Airport

The Bradley International Airport is located in Windsor Locks in the US state of Connecticut. It is the second-largest airport in New England, serving as a hub for UPS Airlines and Gama Aviation. The airport is also the operating base of Avelo Airlines and Breeze Airways.

Lakeland Linder International Airport

The Lakeland Linder International Airport is a public airport located 5 miles southwest of Lakeland in the US state of Florida. It is an operating base for Avelo Airlines and a hub for Songbird Airways. The airport is a national reliever facility for Tampa International Airport.

Airports of arrival in Austria

Graz Airport

The Graz Airport serves southern Austria. It’s located near Graz, the second-largest city in the county, about 5 nautical miles south of the city center. The airport is a hub for Mali Air, Styrian Spirit, Fairline, and Robin Hood Aviation.

Vienna International Airport

The Vienna International Airport serves the capital city of Austria. It is 18 kilometers southeast of central Vienna. The airport serves as a hub for Austrian Airlines, Eurowings Europe, and Air Sylhet, and an operating base for Ryanair and Wizz Air.

Salzburg Airport

The Salzburg Airport is the second largest airport in Austria. It serves the fourth largest Austrian city of Salzburg, located 1.7 nautical miles west-south-west of the city center. The airport handles over 85,000 metric tonnes of cargo per year.

Why Ship From the United States to Austria 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.