Ocean & Air Freight Shipping From the United States to Cambodia

Over the years, bilateral trade between the United States and Cambodia has prospered. The US sees Cambodia as an emerging market for export growth in various sectors, from technology and automotive to consumer goods.

In 2022, the US exported $446 million worth of goods to Cambodia, a 7.3% increase from 2021 and up 97% from the previous decade. If you are looking to take advantage of the abundant trade relationship between the two nations, you’ve come to the right place.

Here, we cover everything you need about ocean and air freight shipping from the US to Cambodia.

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

You can ship freight from the US to Cambodia in two ways: ocean freight and air freight.

Ocean Freight From the United States to Cambodia

Ocean freight is the cheapest and most flexible way to transport cargo from the US to Cambodia. The shipping fees are meager, and it can accommodate any cargo you need to ship, whether large, small, light, or heavy. It also offers shippers two container shipping options, including less than container load (LCL) and full container load (FCL).

LCL involves the consolidation process. Used for small shipments and shipping volumes, your goods will be consolidated with cargo belonging to other shippers and shipped together in one container. You only pay for the space for your goods, making it highly economical.

FCL is where a shipper rents the space in an entire container for their goods alone. This is best for larger shipments or those shipping in big volumes. The shipper will have the entire container to fit their cargo bound for Cambodia.

Air Freight from the United States to Cambodia

Another way to ship goods from the US to Cambodia is by air. The fastest mode of international transport, air freight is generally best for time-sensitive and perishable cargo. An air freight shipment only takes 2-8 days to complete.

It’s also entirely secure. With stricter airport regulations that can help guarantee cargo security, it’s preferred by those shipping high-value goods.

However, it does have its cons. For one, air freight is significantly more expensive than ocean freight. It’s also not as flexible, unable to ship all cargo types and setting limits on your cargo’s size, weight, and volume.

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

When it comes to how much your US-to-Cambodia shipment will cost, it highly depends 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

To estimate your shipping costs, use our online freight costs calculator. The table below also shows the current cost of shipping a standard 20-foot container from the US to Cambodia:

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

The duration for shipping goods from the US to Cambodia 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 Cambodia?

It takes about 15 to 50 days for an ocean freight shipment from the US to arrive in Cambodia.

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

Air freight is much faster, taking only 2 to 8 days.

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

Customs Clearance in the United States and Cambodia

Once your goods arrive in Cambodia, they will be subject to the customs clearance process. This requires that you 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

If you need examples of these customs clearance requirements, take a look at our full documents list.

Should You Choose Ocean Freight or Air Freight?

When deciding whether to ship via ocean or air freight, you need to consider your needs, priorities, and cargo requirements. Here are some pointers to help you decide.

Ocean Freight

Ocean freight is right for you if you are shipping on a budget or you need flexibility in your shipment. It can ship any type of cargo without costing you an arm and a leg, making it highly popular among cost-conscious shippers.

When opting for ocean freight, decide whether to ship through 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

FCL might be a better 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

If you need your goods to arrive in Cambodia as fast as possible, air freight is your best bet. It only takes 2-8 days to complete, so it’s ideal for time-sensitive and perishable shipments. It’s also the most secure option, with strict airport processes and regulations helping guarantee cargo security.

However, be wary of the shipping cost, as air freight can get significantly more expensive than ocean freight. It’s also not as flexible, with limits on the nature, size, weight, and volume of goods you can ship.

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 boasts a strategic location near major populations and transport connections. It’s an important link in the transatlantic trade route, handling over 7 million TEUs per year.

Port of Savannah

The Port of Savannah is located in southeastern US. It handles over 4 million TEUs per year, making it among the busiest ports on the East Coast. The port boasts deep-water terminals that can welcome large vessels.

Port of Los Angeles

The Port of Los Angeles is the busiest and largest port in the US and the busiest container port in North America. It's a critical hub for US international trade and can handle over 10 million TEUs annually with a cargo tonnage of 222 million metric tonnes.

Cargo ports of arrival in Cambodia

Port of Phnom Penh

The Port of Phnom Penh can accommodate ships as heavy as 2,000 DWT and even has a pass-through for vessels up to 5,000 DWT. Around 160 ships visit the Port of Phnom Penh per year.

Port of Koh Kong

The Port of Koh Kong is located near Thailand's border. It’s only accessible to ships weighing 500 DWT. While it has limited services, it boasts storage facilities and is a hub for fish export.

Port of Kampot

The Port of Kampot is a minor Cambodian port located in the town of Kampot. It only handles light cargo for inland trade and receiving goods from small countries. It has a wooden dock that is used by small boats carrying around 30 to 40 tonnes of cargo.

Air Freight from the United States to Cambodia: An Airport Guide

Airports of origin in the United States

Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport

The Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport’s traffic is mostly freight. Eighty percent of goods shipped by freighter aircraft over the Pacific are transported through here. It’s among the top five airports in the world for cargo throughput, handling over 2.6 million tonnes of cargo per year.

Los Angeles International Airport

Los Angeles International Airport is a principal gateway on the US West Coast. It is among the top five airports in the US by total tonnage. It handles over 1.9 million tonnes of cargo per year and has more than 20 dedicated cargo facilities and special handling capabilities.

Indianapolis International Airport

Indianapolis International Airport is one of the US’ largest cargo centers. It houses the second-largest distribution logistics operator in the world, the FedEx hub. The airport has amazing cargo capabilities, handling over 1 million tonnes of goods per year.

Airports of arrival in Cambodia

Phnom Penh International Airport

The Phnom Penh International Airport is the biggest airport in Cambodia, serving as the main international gateway. It is also the second-largest airport by land area. The airport is a hub for Cambodia Angkor Air, Cambodia Airways, and more.

Sihanoukville International Airport

The Sihanoukville International Airport is located 20 kilometers east of Sihanoukville City in Sihanoukville Province. It is the third-largest airport in Cambodia. The airport serves the Sihanoukville area and is a hub for Cambodia Angkor Air.

Why Ship From the United States to Cambodia With iContainers?

Transporting cargo involves numerous factors, such as the season, shipment size, shipping method, and the origin and destination points.

With extensive experience in the industry, iContainers provides traditional freight forwarding services integrated with cutting-edge technology for your convenience. Our digital platform lets you handle your entire shipment—from requesting a quote to booking and tracking your cargo—from your mobile device.

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