Ocean & Air Freight Shipping From the United States to Colombia

The United States-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement (CTPA), implemented in May 2012, solidified the trade relationship between the United States and Colombia. Since its inception, the trade agreement has helped enhance bilateral trade between the two nations and consequently fostered their economic growth. 

Colombia is one of the United States's most significant trading partners in Latin America. In 2022, the U.S. shipped $20.8 billion worth of goods to Colombia, an increase of 24.2% from the previous year. 

The commodities traded between the nations are vast, with the U.S. supplying Colombia with machinery, agricultural products, transportation equipment, and chemicals. 

To ship from the United States to Colombia, you need to thoroughly understand the process, especially when it comes to your ocean and air freight shipping options. Here is your complete guide to shipping from the U.S. to Colombia. 

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

Ocean freight and air freight are your options for shipping cargo from the United States to Colombia. 

Ocean Freight From the United States to Colombia

Ocean freight is the most popular way to ship goods from the United States to Colombia because of its cost efficiency and flexibility. Not only does it cost significantly less than air freight, but it can also accommodate any type of goods you need to transport. 

Moreover, ocean freight provides you with two options for container shipping: less than container load (LCL) or full container load (FCL). 

LCL is best for those transporting small cargo. Here, goods from other shippers are consolidated and shipped together in one container. That way, a shipper only pays for the space their cargo occupies. 

FCL, on the other hand, is used by shippers transporting large, heavy, or voluminous goods. They rent the space in an entire container for their shipment alone. They can get good value for money by maximizing the space inside the container. 

Air Freight from the United States to Colombia

The other method of shipping from the United States to Colombia is air freight. The fastest international shipping mode, air freight, can get your cargo to its destination in record time. This is why those shipping time-sensitive and perishable cargo prefer it. Shippers of high-value goods also like air freight because of their strict processes and regulations, which can help guarantee cargo security. 

Air freight, however, has its cons. First, it’s the most expensive way to ship cargo internationally, costing significantly more than ocean freight. Second, it cannot accommodate all cargo types and limits the nature, size, weight, and volume of what you can ship by air. 

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

The cost of shipping cargo from the United States to Colombia is dependent 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 Colombia:

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

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

Ocean freight from the United States to Colombia will take about 15 to 50 days to complete.

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

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

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

Customs Clearance in the United States and Colombia

When your goods arrive in Colombia, they will need to go through the customs clearance process. This should be a breeze, provided 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

Look at our full documents list to see 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. Here are some pointers to help you make the best decision. 

Ocean Freight

Ocean freight is suitable for you if you value cost efficiency and flexibility. You can ship any cargo you need by sea, big, small, light, or heavy. It also allows you to choose whether to ship with LCL or 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

On the other hand, you might be better off choosing 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 need your cargo to arrive in Colombia fast, air freight is your best option. It only takes a few days to complete, making it perfect for time-sensitive or perishable items. You should also consider air freight if your goods are of high value. Strict airport regulations can help guarantee the protection of your cargo during the process. 

Before finally settling on air freight, though, do consider the cost. Air freight is the most expensive way to ship goods internationally. It’s also unable to accommodate all cargo types, so check its list of restricted and prohibited goods and the weight, size, and volume limits beforehand. 

Ocean Cargo Port Guide

Cargo ports of origin in the United States

Port of Savannah

The Port of Savannah is the largest single-terminal container facility in North America. Its strength is handling heavy goods, including machinery, agricultural products, and cars. The port is vital for U.S. trade with Latin America. 

Port of Virginia

The Port of Virginia is located along the eastern coast of the United States. It is the sixth biggest U.S. port and can accommodate the largest container vessels in the world. The port is popular for its modern infrastructure and efficient cargo-handling processes. 

Port of Charleston

The Port of Charleston is located in South Carolina, in the U.S. It is one of the few ports with a strong environmental commitment. The port handles 2.79 million TEUs annually and supports the region's infrastructure development and economic growth. 

Cargo ports of arrival in Colombia

Port of Barranquilla

The Port of Barranquilla is located along Colombia's Caribbean Coast. It is where the country's most modern liquid bulk facilities are located. It houses the Palermo tanks terminal, which can hold 352,000 barrels of refined oil products and crude oil. 

Port of Cartagena

The Port of Cartagena, also known as the Port of Cartagena de Indias, is the fourth largest port in Colombia. It handles 80% of the region's imports and 60% of its exports. The seaport boasts two central docks, namely Escombreras and Cartagena.

Port of Santa Marta

The ​​Port of Santa Marta is located on the Caribbean Sea coast in Colombia. It is a premier port that handles multiple types of cargo. It’s one of the few ports in the nation that can cater to post-Panamax carriers with high cubic cargo. 

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

Airports of origin in the United States

Miami International Airport

The Miami International Airport is the primary international airport that serves Miami in Florida. It has over 1,000 daily flights to 185 domestic and international destinations. Most flights are to countries in Latin America. 

San Francisco Bay Oakland International Airport

The San Francisco Bay Oakland International Airport is located in Oakland in California, in the U.S. It’s only 12 miles east of San Francisco, allowing it to serve the east bay of the San Francisco Bay Area. 

Reno-Tahoe International Airport

The Reno-Tahoe International Airport is a public and military airport located three miles southeast of downtown Reno in Washoe County, Nevada. It is the second busiest commercial airport in Las Vegas. 

Airports of arrival in Colombia

El Dorado International Airport

The El Dorado International Airport serves the area of Bogotá, which is the capital city of Colombia. It handles over 800,000 tonnes of cargo annually and has 303,666 aircraft operations. The airport is a hub for Avianca, LATAM Airlines, Wingo, Clic Air, SATENA, and more.

Ernesto Cortissoz International Airport

The Ernesto Cortissoz International Airport serves the area of Barranquilla, Atlántico, Colombia. It is located in the Soledad municipality. The airport handles 34,500 tonnes of cargo annually and is a hub for SCADTA, Aerocóndor Colombia, and Transportes Colombiana de Aviación.

Alfonso Bonilla Aragon International Airport

The Alfonso Bonilla Aragon International Airport was formerly known as the Palmaseca International Airport. It is between Palmira and Cali, Valle del Cauca Department, Colombia. It handles over 44,000 tonnes of cargo per year.