Ocean & Air Freight Shipping from the United States to Italy

International trade has brought together the economies of the United States and Italy, two influential players on the global stage. The two countries have a rich history of economic interaction, characterized by an exchange of goods and services.

In 2022, the U.S. shipped a whopping $25.9 billion worth of goods to Italy. The top exports were crude petroleum, petroleum gas, and platinum. The trade relationship between the two countries has grown at an annualized rate of 3.74% in the last 27 years.

If you are looking to ship goods from the United States to Italy, here’s your complete guide on your ocean and air freight shipping options.

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

To ship freight from the United States to Italy, you can go with ocean or air freight.

Ocean Freight From the United States to Italy

Ocean freight is the most economical way to ship goods from the United States to Italy. It’s also quite flexible, able to ship a wide range of cargo, and offers shippers two options for container shipping: less-than-container-load (LCL) and full-container-load (FCL).

LCL is best for small shipments because it involves the consolidation process. Your goods will be consolidated with cargo from other shippers and shipped in one container. That way, you only have to pay for the space in your cargo.

FCL, on the other hand, is for larger shipments. The shipper rents the space in an entire container for their goods alone, which gives them more control and security for their shipment. Because no consolidation is involved, FCL is more expensive than LCL but can be worth your money if you ship large volumes of goods.

Air Freight from the United States to Italy

The other way to transport goods from the US to Peru is by air. Air freight is the fastest mode of international transport, able to get goods to their destination in a matter of days. This makes it highly suitable for time-sensitive or perishable shipments.

Another way to ship goods from the United States to Italy is air freight. This is the fastest mode of international shipping, preferred by shippers who need to transport time-sensitive or perishable goods. It’s also best for high-value goods because of stricter airport regulations that can ensure the security of shipments.

Air freight is the most expensive way to ship goods from the United States to Italy. It also has restricted and prohibited goods you can ship by air, so account for these before planning your air freight shipment.

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

The cost to ship freight from the US to Peru will differ depending 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

Use our online freight costs calculator to get an estimate of your shipping costs. The table below provides the current cost for shipping a standard 20-foot container from the United States to Italy:

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

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

Ocean freight from the United States to Italy takes 15 to 50 days.

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

Air freight from the United States to Italy is much faster, only taking about 2 to 8 working days.

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

Customs Clearance in the United States and Italy

When your goods arrive in Italy, they will undergo customs clearance. You need to prepare and submit the following paperwork to ensure this process is a breeze:

• 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

Refer to our full documents list for examples of these customs clearance requirements.

Should You Choose Ocean Freight or Air Freight?

Choosing between ocean freight and air freight can be complicated. Here are some pointers to help you decide. As a general rule, you have to consider your needs, priorities, and the requirements of your cargo.

Ocean Freight

Ocean freight suits you if you prioritize cost efficiency in your shipping endeavor. It’s also best to have unique cargo, as ocean freight can offer you the flexibility of shipping anything you need using your chosen container shipping option.

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

You might consider 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

Air freight is the fastest way to ship goods from the United States to Italy, so it’s ideal if you value speed or have perishable or time-sensitive shipments. Thanks to airport regulations, it’s also very secure, making it good for high-value shipments.

However, air freight can be rather expensive. Before opting for this shipping option, ensure you have the budget. It also limits what you can and cannot ship, so peruse air freight’s restricted and prohibited goods list before proceeding.

Ocean Cargo Port Guide

Cargo ports of origin in the United States

Port of Savannah

The Port of Savannah is the fourth busiest container port in the United States and boasts the largest single-terminal container in North America. The port serves as a gateway for cargo shipped from the United States to Asia and handles over 4 million TEUs per year.

Port of Houston

The Port of Houston is another busy port in the United States, handling over 3 million TEUs annually. It is a major hub for the import and export of oil and gas, as well as other types of cargo. The port’s top export countries are Brazil, Mexico, and China.

Port of Oakland

The Port of Oakland is located in the San Francisco Bay Area. It handles over 2.5 million TEUs annually, making it the sixth busiest container port in the United States. The port’s top export countries are Japan, South Korea, and China.

Cargo ports of arrival in Italy

Port of Trieste

The Port of Trieste is the busiest in Italy, leading in freight traffic with 62.68 million tonnes of goods handled annually. Its importance was even more highlighted when the Suez Canal opened, making it an important trade lane.

Port of Genoa

The Port of Genoa is the second busiest port in Italy. It’s a historic port on the Italian peninsula, spanning 700 square meters of land and 500 square meters of water surface area. Among all the Italian ports, it is the largest in terms of land area.

Port of Livorno

The Port of Livorno handles around 36.56 million tonnes of goods per year. While it suffered a crisis a couple of years back, it quickly jumped back and became one of the most important ports in the Mediterranean.

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

Airports of origin in the United States

Chicago O’Hare International Airport

The Chicago O’Hare International Airport is among the largest airports in the U.S. in terms of landed cargo weight, ranking 7th of all cargo airports in the United States. Although a top destination airport, Chicago O’Hare experiences significant cargo delays and congestion.

Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport

The Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport is an important cargo airport in the Midwest, ranking sixth globally. Its cargo traffic has grown over the last couple of years, higher than any other airport in the top 16.

Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport

The Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport is the third-largest cargo airport in the United States by landed cargo weight, handling over 17 billion pounds of cargo annually. It houses the UPS Worldport, which has a hub spanning 5.2 million square feet.

Airports of arrival in Italy

Milan Malpensa Airport

The Milan Malpensa Airport is northern Italy’s largest international airport. It is located 49 kilometers northwest of Milan and serves the areas of Lombardy, Piedmont, Liguria, and the Swiss Canton of Ticino.

Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport

The Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport, also called the Rome–Leonardo da Vinci Fiumicino International Airport, is located in Fiumicino, Italy. It serves the area of Rome. The airport is a hub for ITA Airways, easyJet, Alitalia, AeroItalia, Blu-express, and more.

Milan Bergamo Airport

The Milan Bergamo Airport, also called the Orio al Serio International Airport, is the third-busiest international airport in Italy. It is a hub for passenger and cargo airlines, including Ryanair, AeroItalia, AlbaStar, Ernest Airlines, MyAir, Azzurra Air, Gandalf
Airlines, MiniLiner, and Trawel Fly.

Why Ship From the United States to Italy With iContainers?

Shipping cargo requires considering various factors, such as the season, the size of the cargo, the shipping method, and the origin and destination.

With years of industry expertise, iContainers combines traditional freight forwarding services with advanced technology for your convenience. Our digital platform allows you to oversee your entire shipment—from requesting a quote to booking and tracking your cargo—all from your mobile device.

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