Ocean & Air Freight Shipping From the United States to Malaysia

The trade relationship between the United States and Malaysia is evolving and strongly influencing Southeast Asia's economic pulse. In 2022, the U.S. exported $18.2 billion worth of goods to Malaysia, up 20% from the previous year. The goods involved in this exchange are vast, from electronics to energy.

In this article, we explore the trade axis between the two countries and give you a complete guide on shipping from the U.S. to Malaysia. Learn your ocean and air freight shipping options and more. 

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

You can ship goods from the United States to Malaysia using ocean freight or air freight. 

Ocean Freight From the United States to Malaysia

Ocean freight is the most popular way to transport goods from the U.S. to Malaysia because of its cost efficiency and flexibility. It can ship any type of cargo and even offers shippers two modes of container shipping: less-than-container load (LCL) and full-container load (FCL). 

LCL is typically used for small shipments because it involves the consolidation process. Goods are consolidated with cargo belonging to other sellers. That way, each shipper only pays for the space their goods occupy, allowing a cheaper shipment of smaller goods. 

FCL, on the other hand, is used by shippers to transport large volumes of cargo. They rent the space in an entire container for their goods alone. This gives them control and security for their shipment, and it can make more economic sense if they have large shipments. 

Air Freight from the United States to Malaysia

Air freight is another way to ship from the United States to Malaysia. Considered the fastest mode of international shipping, it’s best for time-sensitive or perishable goods or otherwise shippers who just want to get their cargo to Malaysia quickly. 

Air freight also beats ocean freight in terms of security. With stricter airport processes and rules, it can transport high-value goods and guarantee their safety in transit. 

It’s worth noting, however, that air freight is expensive and may not be able to accommodate all types of cargo. 

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

The cost of shipping goods from the U.S. to Malaysia will depend on several 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

Determine your shipping costs by using our online freight costs calculator. The table below shows the current cost of shipping a standard 20-foot container from the US to Malaysia:

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

The transit time for goods shipped from United States to Malaysia 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 Malaysia?

Ocean freight from the United States to Malaysia will take 15 to 50 days.

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

Air freight from the United States to Malaysia will take 2-8 days. 

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

Customs Clearance in the United States and Malaysia

When your goods arrive at a Malaysian port or airport, they will go through the customs clearance process. This requires you to 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

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

Should You Choose Ocean Freight or Air Freight?

When deciding between ocean and air freight for your shipment, you have to consider your needs, priorities, and the requirements of your cargo. Here are some pointers to help you make the right choice. 

Ocean Freight

Ocean freight is ideal for budget-conscious shippers who need to get goods to Malaysia without a specific timeline. It can accommodate almost any type of goods and offers two container shipping options. 

Considerations for LCL Freight Shipping

LCL might be the ocean freight shipping mode 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 should 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

If your priority is to get your goods to Malaysia fast, then you should absolutely use air freight. It’s best for time-sensitive or perishable shipments, as well as high-value goods, thanks to stricter airport regulations.

Before deciding on this mode of international shipping, though, make sure to crunch your budget. Air freight can get expensive. It also cannot ship all cargo types, sizes, and volumes. 

Ocean Cargo Port Guide

Cargo ports of origin in the United States

Port of Los Angeles

The Port of Los Angeles is known as “America’s Port.” It is the largest port in North America and serves as a gateway for cargo coming into the U.S. It has 25 cargo terminals to accommodate goods from its major Southeast Asian trading partners. 

Port of New Jersey and New York

The Port of New Jersey and New York is the largest port on the East Coast. It handles over 7.4 million containers every year and houses the Port Authority Marine Terminal, which is important for the region’s economic activity. 

Port of Long Beach

The Port of Long Beach is one of the United States’ major trade gateways, ranking as the 21st busiest container port in the world. It is an important channel for U.S. trade with Asian countries. The port handles many cargo types and is popular for its eco-friendly practices. 

Cargo ports of arrival in Malaysia

Port of Johor

The Port of Johor is located at the southern tip of the Malaysian Peninsula. It is an important maritime gateway, serving as the go-to port for industries in the industrial region of Pasir Gudang. This multipurpose port handles all types of cargo and boasts 24 berths spanning 1000 acres. 

Port of Penang

The Port of Penang is located between Penang Island and the western shores of the Malaysian Peninsula. It is Malaysia’s third-busiest container handling facility, handling over 33.9 million tonnes of cargo annually. Its main import commodities include petroleum, steel, iron, rice, and sugar. 

Port of Bintulu

The Port of Bintulu is located near the city of Bentulu. It is a major maritime gateway to Eastern Malaysia. Because of its location near LNG manufacturing plants, 76% of the cargo handled at this port is liquid bulk. It handles around 348,000 TEUs per year. 

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

Airports of origin in the United States

Tampa International Airport

The Tampa International Airport is the second-largest cargo airport in the U.S. state of Florida. Over the last couple of years, there has seen a 231% increase in the number of cargo handled. Because of this increase in traffic, $69 million dollars was invested to improve the airport’s cargo facilities. 

Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport

The Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport is seeing tremendous growth in air freight traffic, with a 190% increase in cargo handled in recent years. It recently received $36 million in financing for the construction of a 200,000-square-foot cargo facility. 

Perot Field Fort Worth Alliance Airport

The Perot Field Fort Worth Alliance Airport ranks 23rd among all airports in the United States. It is the world’s first industrial airport and is part of the Alliance, Texas industrial complex. The airport houses Amazon’s new regional air hub. 

Airports of arrival in Malaysia

Penang International Airport

The Penang International Airport is located in George Town, Penang, Malaysia. It is in the southeastern tip of Penang Island, about 16 kilometers south of the city center. The airport is a hub for Capital A, Malaysia Airlines, Firefly, and MASkargo. 

Kuala Lumpur International Airport 

The Kuala Lumpur International Airport is the main international airport of Malaysia. It is located in the district of Sepang in Selangor, 45 kilometers south of Kuala Lumpur. This airport is the largest and busiest in the country, handling more than 660,000 tonnes of cargo per year. 

Kota Kinabalu International Airport

The Kota Kinabalu International Airport is located in Kota Kinabalu, which is the state capital of Sabah, Malaysia. The airport is 8 kilometers southwest of the city center. It serves as a hub for Capital A, Malaysia Airlines, Firefly, Batik Air Malaysia, and more.