Ocean & Air Freight Shipping From the United States to Lithuania

The trade relationship between the United States and Lithuania is a testament to strong economic ties and shared interests. Lithuania, a member of the European Union, is an essential gateway for US businesses looking to expand into Europe and the Baltic Region.

In 2022, the United States exported goods valued at $3.31 billion to Lithuania. The most exported commodities include petroleum gas, cars, and crude petroleum.

Shipping from the US to Lithuania starts with understanding your ocean and air freight shipping options. We cover that and more in this guide.

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

Ocean and air freight are the two ways you can ship goods from the United States to Lithuania.

Ocean Freight From the United States to Lithuania

Ocean freight is the more affordable and flexible way to transport goods. It can accommodate any cargo you must transport without charging high shipping fees. So shippers can optimize their budgets even further, ocean freight offers two options for container shipping. These are less than the container load (LCL) and full container load (FCL).

LCL is the common choice for shippers of small cargo. Here, their goods are consolidated with cargo belonging to different shippers and shipped together in one container. That way, each shipper will only have to pay for the space their goods occupy, making it a highly economical option.

FCL is used by shippers with high shipping volumes. They rent the space in an entire container for their goods alone, which gives them more space, control, and security over their shipment. They can maximize the space inside the container with larger cargo to get their money’s worth on FCL.

Air Freight from the United States to Lithuania

The other way to ship from the US to Lithuania is by air. Air freight is the fastest mode of international transport and also the most secure. This is why it’s preferred by shippers transporting time-sensitive, perishable, and high-value cargo.

Air freight boasts better speed and security than ocean freight. However, it’s more expensive and less flexible. Air freight cannot accommodate cargo of all sizes, weights, and volumes.

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

The cost of shipping cargo from the US to Lithuania will depend on a couple 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 determine your shipping costs, use our online freight costs calculator. Additionally, you can find the current cost of shipping a standard 20-foot container from the US to Lithuania in the table below:

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

The transit time for goods shipped from the US to Lithuania 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 Lithuania?

It takes 15 to 50 days for an ocean freight shipment from the US to Lithuania to complete.

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

Air freight shipments from the US to Lithuania are 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 Lithuania

When your goods arrive in Lithuania, they will undergo the customs clearance process. This requires 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

We have a full documents list you can peruse for examples of these customs clearance requirements.

Should You Choose Ocean Freight or Air Freight?

Consider your needs, priorities, and cargo requirements when choosing between ocean and air freight. Here are some pointers to help you make the right decision.

Ocean Freight

Ocean freight is suitable for those who value cost efficiency and flexibility. Not only can it transport any type of cargo without breaking the bank, but it even offers you two options for container shipping so you can further optimize your shipment according to your budget and needs.

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 is more suitable for shippers whose 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 time is of the essence in your shipment, consider shipping by air. The fastest mode of international transport, air freight, can get your cargo from the US to Lithuania in 2 to 8 days. It’s also the most secure shipping option, with strict airport processes and regulations helping guarantee cargo security. This makes air freight the best shipping method for time-sensitive, perishable, and high-value goods.

However, do take note of the cons associated with air freight. First, it’s expensive, with shipping fees significantly higher than ocean freight. Second, it’s not as flexible, unable to ship all types of cargo, and not accommodating of all cargo sizes, weights, and volumes.

Ocean Cargo Port Guide

Cargo ports of origin in the United States

Port of Houston

The Port of Houston is the busiest foreign tonnage handling port in the US, handling over 280 million metric tonnes of cargo movement. It is also the US’ fifth biggest container port in terms of total TEUs and is the largest Gulf Coast container facility, handling 75% of the container traffic in the region.

Port of South Louisiana

The Port of South Louisiana handles 60% of all grain cargo in the Midwest. It is one of the US's biggest and most widespread ports, with a land area that spans between New Orleans and Baton Rouge. The port handles over 248.1 million short tonnes of cargo.

Port of New York and New Jersey

The Port of New York and New Jersey is the largest natural harbor, spanning a land area of 25 miles and enclosing the entire New York Harbor coastal area. It handles over 7.8 million TEUs per year, making it the second busiest port in the country for loaded imports and exports.

Cargo ports of arrival in Lithuania

Port of Klaipeda

The Port of Klaipeda is located on the southeastern coastline of the Baltic Sea. It is an important regional and international maritime trade hub. The port boasts 28 designated terminals that can handle over 70 million tonnes of cargo every year. It’s a major container port in the Baltic region.

Butinge Marine Terminal

The Butinge Marine Terminal is an oil facility located on the northern Baltic Sea coast. It was Lithuania's first large-scale petroleum project after gaining independence in 1990. The terminal can handle over 8 million tonnes of crude oil for export and 6 tonnes of oil for import.

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

Airports of origin in the United States

Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport

The Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport is an important airport in the US state of Alaska. Most of its traffic is freight, with 80% of all goods shipped by freighter aircraft over the Pacific transported through the airport. It handles over 2.6 million tonnes of cargo per year.

Louisville International Airport

The Louisville International Airport is one of the most popular airports in the world, both in terms of passenger and cargo traffic. It is home to the UPS Worldport, which allows the airport to handle more than 5 billion pounds of cargo, freight, and mail annually.

Miami International Airport

The Miami International Airport is the top US airport for international freight. It is one of the most financially successful airports in the nation, generating over $33.7 billion in business revenue per year. The airport handles over 2 million tonnes of cargo annually in its 18 warehouses.

Airports of arrival in Lithuania

Vilnius International Airport

The Vilnius International Airport is located in Vilnius, which is the capital city of Lithuania. It’s approximately 5.9 kilometers south of the city center. This airport is the largest of three commercial airports in Lithuania. It serves as a hub for Ryanair, airBaltic, Wizz Air, GetJet Airlines, Avion Express, and more.

Palanga International Airport

The Palanga International Airport is an international airport near the town of Palanga on the Baltic Sea. It is Lithuania’s third-largest airport, serving as a hub for Air Lithuania and Amber Air. It handles over 5,800 tonnes of cargo per year and sees over 5,167 aircraft movements.

Kaunas International Airport

The Kaunas International Airport is the second-busiest civil airport in Lithuania and the fourth-busiest in the Baltic states. It’s located centrally in the country, 14 kilometers northeast of the Kaunas city center. The airport serves as a hub for Ryanair, Air Lithuania, DAT LT, Transaviabaltika, and Apatas Air.

Why Ship From the United States to Lithuania With iContainers?

Transporting cargo involves numerous factors, such as the season, shipment size, shipping method, and the origin and destination points.

With extensive experience in the industry, iContainers provides traditional freight forwarding services integrated with cutting-edge technology for your convenience. Our digital platform lets you handle your entire shipment—from requesting a quote to booking and tracking your cargo—from your mobile device.

Contact us for a free quote whenever you need it. We are always here to provide the information you need.