Ocean & Air Freight Shipping from the United States to Ireland

The United States and Ireland have a strong economic relationship, with bilateral trade totaling billions of dollars each year. The two countries have a long history of economic and cultural ties, and today trade between them is facilitated by their shared membership in the World Trade Organization and other international organizations.

If you are looking to ship goods from the U.S. to Ireland, you've come to the right place. Here's everything you need to know about the ocean and air freight shipping process.

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

There are a few different ways to ship freight from the United States to Ireland. The most common method is by sea, although air and land shipping are also possible.

Ocean Freight From the United States to Ireland

Ocean freight from the United States to Ireland can be expensive, but it is often the most efficient and practical way to ship large or heavy items. The cost of shipping will depend on the size and weight of your shipment, as well as the distance it needs to travel. There are two ways to ship by sea, namely LCL and FCL. 

LCL shipments do not fill an entire container and hence are consolidated with other cargo. This typically happens when a shipper does not have enough volume to fill an entire container.

FCL is a type of containerized shipping that involves the transportation of cargo in a single container. This means that all of the freight being shipped is going to be loaded into one 20- or 40-foot intermodal container. FCL is typically used for large shipments, or when time is critical.

Air Freight from the United States to Ireland

Air freight is the process of shipping goods by aircraft. This can be done either via charter services, which specialize in shipping cargo or by using the regularly scheduled services of an airline. Air freight is a fast and convenient way to ship goods, but it can be expensive.

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

The cost of shipping cargo from the United States to Ireland can vary depending on a number of factors, including:

• 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 Ireland: 

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

The transit time for goods shipped from the United States to Ireland 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 Ireland?

The average time it takes to ship cargo by sea from the United States to Ireland is about 15 to 50 days. 

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

The average time it takes to ship cargo by air from the United States to Ireland is about 2-8 days. 

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

Customs Clearance in the United States and Ireland

To ensure that goods are able to move freely between the United States and Ireland, both countries have established a system of customs clearance. This process allows for the proper documentation and inspection of shipments so that they can be cleared for import or export.

In order to clear customs, businesses will need to provide certain documentation about their shipment. This may include:

• 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 refer to for the required customs clearance documents with examples of each. 

Should You Choose Ocean Freight or Air Freight?

Ocean Freight

Some of the largest and most valuable cargo shipments in the world are transported via ocean freighters. Freight companies that offer ocean shipping services provide an important link in the global supply chain, connecting manufacturers and retailers with customers around the world.

While air freight is faster, ocean shipping is typically much cheaper. This makes it a popular choice for large and heavy shipments, or for companies that are shipping large volumes of goods.

Ocean shipping companies offer a variety of services, from full container load (FCL) service to less than container load (LCL) service. FCL service is typically used for larger shipments, while LCL service is more suitable for smaller shipments.

Considerations for LCL Freight Shipping

LCL freight shipping can be a great option 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 shipping is best 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

Air freight is a term used to describe the transportation of goods by air. This can be done either via passenger airlines or cargo airlines. Airfreight is a fast and efficient way to transport goods, but it can be more expensive than other methods such as shipping by sea.

Ocean Cargo Port Guide

Cargo ports of origin in the United States

Port of Houston 

The Port of Houston is one of the busiest seaports in the United States. Located in Houston, Texas, the port is a major hub for international trade and commerce. The port handles a wide variety of cargo, including crude oil, petroleum products, chemicals, steel, grains, and other bulk commodities.

Port of South Louisiana

The Port of South Louisiana is the largest port in the United States in terms of total cargo tonnage. Located along the Mississippi River, it serves as a key shipping point for agricultural and industrial products from the Midwest. The port complex includes facilities in Baton Rouge, New Orleans, and St. James Parish.

Port of Corpus Christi

The Port of Corpus Christi is the fourth largest port in the United States and is located in Corpus Christi, Texas. The port handles a variety of cargo including crude oil, petroleum products, chemicals, and agricultural products. The port is also a major hub for the export of liquefied natural gas (LNG).

Cargo ports of arrival in Ireland

Port of Dublin 

The Port of Dublin is the largest port in Ireland. It is located on the east coast of the country, at the mouth of the River Liffey. The port has a long history, dating back to the Viking era. It was an important base for the British Royal Navy during both World Wars.

Port of Cork

The Port of Cork is the largest and busiest port in Ireland, handling over 2.6 million tonnes of cargo per year. The port is located on the south coast of Ireland in the city of Cork. It is a deep water port with two main docks - the North Dock and the South Dock.

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

Airports of origin in the United States 

Denver International Airport

The Denver International Airport (DIA) is the largest airport in the United States by land area and the 26th busiest airport in the world. It is also the fifth busiest cargo airport in the world. DIA offers a variety of cargo services, including ground handling, warehousing, and transportation.

Los Angeles International Airport

The Los Angeles International Airport is the busiest airport in the world when measured by cargo traffic. LAX offers a variety of services for shipping cargo, including airfreight, express delivery, and ground transportation.

O'Hare International Airport

O'Hare International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world, handling millions of passengers and tons of cargo every year. The airport's cargo services are an essential part of its operations, ensuring that all the items that need to be shipped in and out of the airport are handled efficiently and securely.

Airports of arrival in Ireland

Dublin Airport 

Dublin Airport offers a wide range of cargo services to meet the needs of businesses and individuals shipping goods to and from Ireland. The airport has both on-site and off-site facilities for handling all types of cargo, including dangerous goods. Dublin Airport also offers a range of value-added services such as packaging, labeling, and tracking.

Kerry Airport 

Kerry Airport is home to a wide range of cargo services. The airport is able to handle a variety of cargo, including general freight, perishable goods, and dangerous goods. Kerry Airport also offers customs clearance services for imports and exports.