Ocean & Air Freight Shipping from the United States to Kuwait

Kuwait is an essential economic partner in the Gulf region, making it a prime destination for US goods. The US exports a variety of commodities to Kuwait, from machinery and aircraft to vehicles and medical instruments.

In 2022, US goods exports to Kuwait were valued at $3.4 billion, which accounts for an 11.8% increase from the previous year and 27% from the last decade.

You've come to the right place if you need to ship goods from the US to Kuwait. Here’s your complete guide to your ocean and air freight shipping and everything else you need to know.

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

You have two options for shipping freight from the US to Kuwait. These are ocean and air freight.

Ocean Freight From the United States to Kuwait

Ocean freight is the most budget-friendly and flexible shipping option for transporting goods from the US to Kuwait. It can accommodate any type of cargo you need to transport and even offers you two options for container shipping so you can optimize the cost and specifications of your shipment. These are less than the container load (LCL) and full container load (FCL).

LCL is used by those with small shipping needs. Their goods will be consolidated with cargo belonging to other sellers and shipped together in one container. That way, each shipper only pays for the space their cargo occupies, making it a more economical choice over FCL.

FCL is where a shipper rents the space in an entire container for their goods alone. Best used for large, heavy shipments, it gives the shipper more space to load their goods and guarantees more control and safety.

Air Freight from the United States to Kuwait

The other way you can ship goods from the US to Kuwait is air freight. It’s the fastest mode of international transport and also the most secure, making it suitable for time-sensitive, perishable, and high-value commodities. The stricter regulations in air freight are valued by shippers who need to guarantee cargo protection.

It does have its drawbacks, though. First, it can get expensive to ship by air. It’s also not as flexible as ocean freight, unable to handle a wide range of cargo types and putting limits on your cargo’s weight, size, and volume.

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

The cost of shipping cargo from the United States to Kuwait will depend on a variety of factors. These include:

• 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 Kuwait:

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

The time it takes to ship goods from the United States to Kuwait largely depends on the selected international shipping mode. However, the following factors also play a role:

• The season (peak or low) during which you ship
• Whether the shipment route is direct
• The popularity of the trade lane
• Geopolitical instability
• Incidents that might occur at ports

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

The time it takes to transport goods from the US to Kuwait by sea is around 15 to 50 days.

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

Air freight from the US to Kuwait is much faster, taking only around 2 to 8 days.

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

Customs Clearance in the United States and Kuwait

When your goods arrive in Kuwait, they will need 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

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

Should You Choose Ocean Freight or Air Freight?

When choosing between ocean and air freight, consider your needs, priorities, and the requirements of your cargo. Here are some helpful pointers to help you decide.

Ocean Freight

Ocean freight is correct for you if you value cost efficiency and flexibility. Not only will it not put a significant dent in your budget, but it also guarantees that it can handle any type of cargo you need to transport.

When opting for ocean freight, make sure you make the right choice between LCL and FCL shipping.

Considerations for LCL Freight Shipping

LCL can be a good option 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

FCL might be the better choice 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 value speed in your shipping endeavor, then you should choose air freight. It only takes 2-8 days to complete, and it’s best for time-sensitive and perishable cargo. Air freight is also the most secure, making it suitable for high-value shipments.

Before setting for air freight, however, make sure you’ve crunched the numbers. It can get costly to ship by air, requiring heavy consideration for shippers on a budget. Also, keep in mind that air freight cannot accommodate all types of cargo, putting limits on the nature, weight, volume, and size of your shipment.

Ocean Cargo Port Guide

Cargo ports of origin in the United States

Port of Houston

The Port of Houston is the busiest foreign cargo handling port in the US, handling over 280 metric tonnes of cargo movement annually. It is also the fifth-biggest container port in the nation and houses the largest container facility on the Gulf Coast.

Port of New York and New Jersey

The Port of New York and New Jersey spans the entire New York Harbor coastal area, spreading over 25 miles. It’s the largest natural harbor in the world. The port handles over 7.8 million TEUs per year and is the second-busiest in the US for loaded imports and exports.

Port of Beaumont

The Port of Beaumont used to function as a military port. However, in 1912, it began its first commercial shipments of timber cargo. Spanning 150 square miles, the port can accommodate both merchant and defense fleets, making it essential for military goods and manufacturing product handling.

Cargo ports of arrival in Kuwait

Shuwaikh Port

The Shuwaikh Port is Kuwait’s primary commercial port. It boasts a navigation channel that is 8 kilometers long and 8.5 meters deep, which is where all vessels that travel to and from Shuwaikh port pass. The port is located at the heart of Kuwait City.

Shuaiba Port

The Shuaiba Port is the second most important port in Kuwait. It handles commercial traffic, container vessels, and oil products. It boasts 20 berths, four of which handle container vessels. The port is the second largest in the country, handling commercial traffic.

Doha Port

The Doha Port is a small coastal port that primarily handles crafts, barges, and small ships that travel through Gulf countries. It is located in Doha, near Kuwait's most popular tourist destinations. As one of the first commercial ports in the nation, it can handle any type of cargo.

Air Freight from the United States to Kuwait: 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 passenger airports in the US. But its cargo operations are nothing to scoff at either, ranking 7th in the nation in terms of landed cargo weight. The airport's demand for air freight services has
made it reportedly more congested than the JFK airport in New York.

Miami International Airport

The Miami International Airport is the US gateway to Latin America and the Caribbean. It handles 85% of the region's imports and 80% of exports. Because of that, the Miami airport is the number one international freight airport in the US.

Baltimore/Washington International Airport

The Baltimore/Washington International Airport ranks 24th in the US. Since its inception, it has seen significant growth in its air freight traffic. The airport boasts a 150% increase in landed weight in the past couple of years. It’s currently undergoing renovations to build a 200,000-square-foot cargo facility.

Airports of arrival in Kuwait

Kuwait International Airport

The Kuwait International Airport is located in Farwaniya Governorate, Kuwait, just 15.5 kilometers south of the Kuwait city center. It spans over 37.7 square kilometers in land area. The airport is a primary hub for Kuwait Airways and Jazeera Airways.

Why Ship From the United States to Kuwait With iContainers?

Shipping cargo involves multiple factors, including the season, the shipment size, 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.