Ocean & Air Freight Shipping From the United States to Indonesia

The United States and Indonesia have a bilateral trade relationship that shines in global commerce. Bridging vast oceans and cultural divides, the two nations’ dynamic trade partnership has created opportunities for mutual growth, prosperity, and innovation. 

In 2022, the United States exported $9.8 billion worth of goods to Indonesia, up 4.5% from the previous year and 23% from the previous decade. To take advantage of the two countries’ strong trade relationship, you first need to know about your ocean and air freight shipping options, which we’ll cover in this article. 

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

You can ship freight from the United States to Indonesia via ocean or air freight. 

Ocean Freight From the United States to Indonesia

Ocean freight is the most flexible and cost-effective way to ship goods from the United States to Indonesia. It offers shippers two modes of container shipping: less-than-container load (LCL) and full-container load (FCL). 

Shippers with small shipments typically use LCL. Here, their goods are consolidated with cargo belonging to other sellers, which means each shipper only pays for the space their cargo occupies. 

FCL, on the other hand, is where a shipper rents the space in an entire container for their goods alone. This gives them more control over their shipment and guarantees cargo security. While FCL is generally more expensive, it can be economical for shippers with large shipments. 

Air Freight from the United States to Indonesia

The other way you can ship goods from the United States to Indonesia is air freight. This is the fastest way to get goods overseas. It’s also the most secure because of strict airport rules and processes. However, it’s worth noting that air freight is also the most expensive international shipping mode. It’s also less flexible than ocean freight and cannot accommodate all cargo types. 

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

The cost of shipping goods from the United States to Indonesia 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

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 United States to Indonesia. 

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

The transit time for goods shipped from the United States to Indonesia is mainly determined by your selected international shipping method. However, other influencing factors include:

• The season of shipment (peak or low season)
• Whether the shipment route is direct or not
• The trade lane's popularity
• Geopolitical instability
• Possible incidents at any port

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

If you ship by sea, your cargo will arrive in Indonesia within 15 to 50 days.

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

If you choose air freight, on the other hand, your shipment will be completed in 2 to 8 days. 

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

Customs Clearance in the United States and Indonesia

When your goods arrive in Indonesia, they will have to go through the customs clearance process. 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

Take a look at our full documents list for examples of each customs clearance requirement. 

Should You Choose Ocean Freight or Air Freight?

When choosing between ocean freight and air freight, your needs, priorities, and cargo requirements will become crucial factors to consider. Here are some pointers to help you make the right decision. 

Ocean Freight

Ocean freight is a suitable shipping method for you if you are shipping on a budget or need flexibility in your mode of transport. It can accommodate almost any type of cargo you need to transport and even offers two container shipping modes. 

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

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 your ultimate goal is to get your cargo from the United States to Indonesia as fast as possible, then you should definitely ship by air. Air is the fastest mode of international transport, making it great for time-sensitive shipments or perishable goods. 

Air freight is also well-liked by shippers of high-value goods. Thanks to stricter airport rules and processes, it can guarantee cargo security. 

Before deciding on air freight, remember that it can get significantly more expensive than ocean freight. It’s also unable to accommodate all types of cargo, sizes, weights, and volumes. 

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 in California. It is the 21st busiest container port in the world and can handle a wide range of cargo types. It’s especially popular for shipments from the United States to Asia. 

Port of Savannah

The Port of Savannah is North America’s latest single-terminal container facility. It can handle large and heavy shipments, including cars, machinery, and agricultural products. Like the Port of Long Beach, the Savannah port is used for shipments from the U.S. to Asia. 

Port of Houston

The Port of Houston is hailed as the busiest by foreign waterborne tonnage. It is among the driving forces for the Gulf Coast’s economic growth. The port can handle diverse cargo types and boasts an extensive network of terminals. 

Cargo ports of arrival in Indonesia

Port of Panjang

The Port of Panjang is a small port in the Java Sea in Indonesia. It boasts state-of-the-art infrastructure and equipment, which help it handle diverse cargo, including containers, bulk goods, and more. 

Port of Jakarta

The Port of Jakarta, also known as the Port of Tanjung Priok, is the busiest and most advanced port in Indonesia. It handles over 50% of the nation's trans-shipment cargo traffic and is located in Tanjung Priok, North Jakarta. 

Port of Batam

The Port of Batam is a vital maritime hub in the Riau Islands Province of Indonesia. It serves as a gateway to Southeast Asia. The port boasts modern facilities and infrastructure, allowing it to handle a diverse range of cargo. 

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

Airports of origin in the United States

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport

The Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is a civil-military airport located 3 miles east of downtown Phoenix, Maricopa County, Arizona. It is a hub for American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, SkyWest Airlines, and more.

George Bush Intercontinental Airport

The George Bush Intercontinental Airport is located in Houston, Texas. It boasts an interterminal train for easy access to the city’s roads and railways. The airport is a hub for United Airlines, Continental Airlines, SkyWest Airlines, and more. 

Denver International Airport

The Denver International Airport, known locally as the DIA, is an international airport located in the Western end of the United States. It serves the Denver, Colorado, metropolitan area, including the greater Front Range Urban Corridor. 

Airports of arrival in Indonesia

Soekarno-Hatta International Airport

The Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, also called the Jakarta Cengkareng Airport, serves the Jakarta metropolitan area on Java Island, Indonesia. It is a hub for Garuda Indonesia, Citilink, Lion Air, Batik Air, and Pelita Air. 

Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport

The Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport is also known as Denpasar International Airport. It is the main international airport that serves Bali, Indonesia. It is located 13 kilometers from Downtown Denpasar, providing access to the Denpasar metropolitan area and Bali island. 

Juanda International Airport

The Juanda International Airport is in Sedati, Sidoarjo, East Java, Indonesia. It is the third busiest airport in the country and serves as an operating base for Batik Air, Indonesia AirAsia, Super Air Jet, and Wings Air.