Ocean & Air Freight Shipping from the United States to Hungary

Hungary has emerged as one of the most dynamic economies in Central Europe, serving as a strategic gateway to the European market. Because of this, it’s become a prime destination for US exports.

In 2022, the US exported $2.87 billion worth of goods to Hungary. The top exports include gas turbines, telephones, vaccines, blood, antisera, toxins, and cultures.

When shipping goods from the US to Hungary, it’s good to know your ocean and air freight shipping options. Here’s everything you need to know for a successful shipment.

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

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

Ocean Freight From the United States to Hungary

Ocean freight is the most common shipping option. Its popularity is due to its affordability and flexibility. It can accommodate any type of cargo while offering two options for container shipping: less-than-container load (LCL) and full container load (FCL).

Those with small shipping needs usually go with LCL. Here, 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 your goods' space.

FCL is where you rent the space in an entire container for your goods alone. This gives you more space, control, and security for your shipment, making it ideal for large, heavy cargo.

Air Freight from the United States to Hungary

You can also ship freight from the US to Hungary by air. This is the fastest mode of international transport, able to get your cargo to its destination in 2 to 8 days. It’s best for time-sensitive and perishable cargo.

Air freight is also suitable for high-value goods. Because airports have stricter processes and regulations, they can better guarantee the security of cargo during transit.

However, air freight can get expensive, with shipping fees significantly higher than ocean freight. It also lacks flexibility and cannot accommodate cargo of all types, sizes, weights, and volumes.

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

The cost to ship cargo from the US to Hungary will depend on the following factors:

• 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 calculate your shipping costs, try our online freight costs calculator. The table below displays the current cost of shipping a standard 20-foot container from the US to Hungary:

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

Shipping goods from the US to Hungary vary in transit time, primarily based on your international shipping mode. Additional factors impacting this include:

• The shipping season (peak or low)
• The directness of the shipment's route
• The popularity of the trade lane
• Geopolitical issues
• Potential incidents at ports

How long does it take to ship cargo by sea from the United States to Hungary?

Ocean freight from the US to Hungary will take between 15 to 50 days.

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

Air freight from the US to Hungary 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 Hungary

When your US goods arrive in Hungary, they will undergo customs clearance. This requires that you prepare and submit the following documents:

• 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

For examples of each customs clearance requirement, refer to our full documents list.

Should You Choose Ocean Freight or Air Freight?

Whether to choose ocean or air freight will depend on your needs, priorities, and cargo requirements.

Ocean Freight

Ocean freight is best for cargo requiring flexibility and shippers transporting goods on a budget. This is because, for a fair shipping fee, ocean freight can accommodate any type of cargo you need to get to Hungary. It even offers you two container shipping options so you can optimize your shipment.

Considerations for LCL Freight Shipping

LCL is best for cargo that 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 should be your choice of container shipping 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 to get your goods to Hungary fast, you should ship by air. An air freight shipment only takes 2-8 days to complete, making it ideal for time-sensitive and perishable goods. It’s also the most secure shipping option, with strict airport regulations guaranteeing the security of high-value cargo.

However, before deciding to ship by air, remember that its costs are significantly higher than ocean freight. It also cannot ship all types of cargo and sets limits on the size, weight, and volume of your shipment.

Ocean Cargo Port Guide

Cargo ports of origin in the United States

Port of Long Beach

The Port of Long Beach is a major trade gateway that ranks 21st on the list of the busiest container ports in the world. It handles over 9.13 million TEUs and 78.2 million metric revenue tonnes of cargo per year. The seaport boasts 80 cargo berths and is popular for its eco-friendly policies.

Port of Houston

The Port of Houston is the busiest port in the US by foreign waterborne tonnage. It has an economic 9mpact of $339 billion on the Gulf Coast. The port can handle a diverse range of cargo, seeing over 247 million metric revenue tonnes of cargo per year.

Port of Miami

The Port of Miami can handle a diverse range of cargo. It’s a very versatile hub that has been subject to transformative infrastructure projects over the years. These include the Deep Dredge Project, which will allow the port to accommodate larger ships. The port can handle over 1.2 million TEUs per year.

Cargo ports of arrival in Hungary

Port of Budapest/Csepel

The Port of Budapest/Csepel is equipped to handle a wide range of cargo types, including containers, breakbulk, dry cargo, RORO, crude oil, and refined petroleum products. Over 2,000 ships visit it annually, carrying 1.2 million tonnes of cargo.

Port of Dunaújváros

The Port of Dunaújváros is located in the central region of Hungary. It mainly handles the shipment of steelworks and 10% of Hungary’s grain exports. The port also handles break bulk and dry cargo, seeing over 140,000 tonnes of shipments per year.

Port of Baja

The Port of Baja is one of the busiest ports in Hungary. It has a favorable geographic position just 30 kilometers from the Serbian border. It has transportation links to the inland waterways of the North and the Black Sea. The port handles over 581,000 tonnes of cargo per year.

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

Airports of origin in the United States

San Antonio International Airport

The San Antonio International Airport is located in the state of Texas. It’s about 8 miles north of Downtown, specifically in Uptown Central San Antonio. The airport is a hub for Merlin Airways. It serves the Greater San Antonio area.

Lehigh Valley International Airport

The Lehigh Valley International Airport, formerly Allentown–Bethlehem–Easton International Airport, is located in the township of Hanover in Lehigh County in the US state of Pennsylvania. It serves as a hub for Allegiant Air and Servant Air.

Piedmont Triad International Airport

The Piedmont Triad International Airport is located in Guilford County, North Carolina, west of Greensboro. It serves the Piedmont Triad region of Greensboro, High Point, and Winston-Salem in the US state of North Carolina. The airport is a FedEx Express hub.

Airports of arrival in Hungary

Budapest Liszt Ferenc International Airport

The Budapest Liszt Ferenc International Airport is the international airport that serves Budapest, the capital of Hungary. It’s the largest of the four commercial airports in the country. The airport is an operating base for Ryanair and a hub for Wizz Air, Malév Hungarian Airlines, and more.

Debrecen International Airport

The Debrecen International Airport is located in Debrecen, Hajdú-Bihar County, Hungary. It’s the country’s second-largest airport located in its second-largest city. The airport is a hub for Wizz Air.

Why Ship From the United States to Hungary With iContainers?

Shipping cargo involves multiple factors, including the season, the size of the shipment, the shipping method, and the origin and destination points.

Leveraging years of industry experience, iContainers offers traditional freight forwarding services with modern technological enhancements for customer convenience. Our digital platform lets you manage your shipment—from requesting a quote to booking and tracking your cargo—all from your mobile device.

Contact us anytime for a free quote. We are always ready to give you the information you need.