Ocean & Air Freight Shipping From the United States to Bangladesh

Over the past decades, trade between the United States and Bangladesh has seen substantial growth. In 2023, the United States exported $2.3 billion worth of goods to Bangladesh, up 218% from the last decade. 

The goods that flow from the U.S. to Bangladesh are diverse, ranging from textiles to technology to agricultural products. The economies of both nations stand to benefit from this dynamic exchange, which has the potential to drive future growth. 

Learn how to ship from the United States to Bangladesh in this article. We cover your ocean and air freight shipping options, customs clearance, and more. 

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

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

Ocean Freight From the United States to Bangladesh

Ocean freight is the cheapest and most flexible way to ship goods from the United States to Bangladesh. It’s able to accommodate any type of cargo you need to transport, not to mention even offering you two options for container shipping. These are less than container load (LCL) and full container load (FCL). 

LCL is used for small shipments because it involves the consolidation process. Your goods will be consolidated with cargo belonging to other sellers and shipped together in one container. That way, you only have to pay for the space your goods occupy. 

Shippers of large cargo use FCL. They rent the space in an entire container for their goods alone, giving them more control and security for their cargo. While FCL is more expensive than LCL, you can get value for money if you maximize the space in the container. 

Air Freight from the United States to Bangladesh

Another way to ship goods from the United States to Bangladesh is by air. Air freight is the fastest mode of international shipping and also the most secure, making it preferred by shippers transporting time-sensitive, perishable, and high-value goods. 

The caveat is its cost. Air freight can be significantly more expensive than ocean freight. It’s also not as flexible, with strict limits on what you can and cannot ship and their weight, size, and volume. 

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

The cost of shipping cargo from the United States to Bangladesh will depend on the following: 

• 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 freight costs calculator online. The table below lists the current cost of shipping a standard 20-foot container from the United States to Bangladesh:

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

The duration for shipping goods from the United States to Bangladesh 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 Bangladesh?

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

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

Air freight from the United States to Bangladesh will only take 2-8 days. 

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

Customs Clearance in the United States and Bangladesh

When your U.S. goods arrive in Bangladesh, they will be subject to the customs clearance process. For this, you will need to prepare and submit 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 that you can take a look at for examples of these customs clearance requirements. 

Should You Choose Ocean Freight or Air Freight?

When choosing between ocean and air freight, you need to consider your needs, priorities, and cargo requirements. We outline important pointers to help you make the right decision. 

Ocean Freight

Ocean freight is best if you’re mindful of the cost of your shipment. It’s budget-friendly while giving you enough flexibility to ship the cargo you need to get to Bangladesh. If you opt for ocean freight, you need to choose between LCL and FCL. 

Considerations for LCL Freight Shipping

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

Opt for 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 you’re looking for speed in your international shipment, then air freight is your best bet. It’s the fastest way to get your goods from the United States to Bangladesh and even gives you security for your cargo. Air freight is best for time-sensitive, perishable, and high-value shipments. 

However, before settling for this international shipping mode, consider its cost. Air freight can get significantly more expensive than ocean freight. It’s also unable to accommodate all types of shipments, with strict rules about the nature, size, weight, and volume of shipments. 

Ocean Cargo Port Guide

Cargo ports of origin in the United States

Port of Miami

The Port of Miami is the world’s largest cruise port. But it’s also a strong player in U.S. international trade, handling 1.2 million TEUs annually. It can handle a diverse range of cargo and is notable for accommodating larger ships. 

Port of Oakland

The Port of Oakland is located in California, US. It handles over 2.34 million TEUs annually and can accommodate large vessels in its dock. The port is undergoing development to improve its environmental sustainability. 

Port of Charleston

The Port of Charleston is vital, driving economic growth and infrastructure development in South Carolina. It’s popular for its efficient operations, handling 2.79 million TEUs annually. It’s also dedicated to sustainability. 

Cargo ports of arrival in Bangladesh

Port of Narayanganj

The Port of Narayanganj is one of the busiest and oldest river ports in Narayanganj in Bangladesh. It is located on the river of Shitalakshya. The port is an important center of trade for oil, cotton, salt textiles, tobacco, pottery, seeds, and more. 

Port of Ashuganj

The Port of Ashuganj is an important river port on Bangladesh's eastern side. Situated on the Meghna River, it borders two countries: Bangladesh and India. The port is also home to one of Bangladesh's largest thermal power plants. 

Port of Barisal

The Port of Barisal, also known as the Barisal River Port, is Bangladesh's busiest and second-largest river port. It is located on the Kirtankhola River in Barisal city. The port is an important transportation system, connecting the different parts of Bangladesh through waterways. 

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

Airports of origin in the United States

Denver International Airport

The Denver International Airport is located in the west end of the United States. It serves Denver, Colorado, and the greater Front Range Urban Corridor. The airport is a hub for Denver Air Connection, Southern Airways Express, United Airlines, and Frontier Airlines.

Bradley International Airport

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

San Francisco International Airport

The San Francisco International Airport is in San Mateo County and serves California's San Francisco Bay Area. It is the largest airport in the area and the second busiest in the state. It handles over 484,000 tonnes of cargo per year. 

Airports of arrival in Bangladesh

Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport

The Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport is the country's largest airport and serves Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh. It handles over 500,000 tonnes of freight annually and boasts two cargo terminals.