Ocean & Air Freight Shipping From the United States to Morocco

Morocco is strategically located at the crossroads of Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. This makes it a prime gateway for American goods looking to expand their market to these regions. It’s an ideal nation for American investors and exporters looking to reap the benefits of Morocco’s stable political environment, modern infrastructure, and favorable business climate. 

In 2022, the United States exported $3.7 billion worth of goods to Morocco, seeing a 33.3% increase from the previous year and a 71% increase from the last decade. If you want to ship goods from the United States to Morocco, this guide contains everything you need to know about the process, your ocean and air freight shipping options, and more. 

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

You can ship freight from the United States to Morocco in two ways: ocean freight and air freight. 

Ocean Freight From the United States to Morocco

Ocean freight is the most common way to ship goods from the United States to Morocco, and shippers prefer it for its low cost and flexibility. It can accommodate any type of cargo, regardless of type, size, weight, and volume.

Ocean freight also offers shippers two options for container shipping: less-than-container load (LCL) and full-container load (FCL). 

LCL is used by shippers with small cargo or those transporting small volumes. Their goods will be consolidated with cargo belonging to other shippers and shipped together in one container. It’s an economical choice as each shipper only pays for the space their goods occupy. 

FCL is used by those with larger cargo or shipping in large volumes. They will rent the space in an entire container for their goods alone, which gives them more room, control, and security for their shipment. 

Air Freight from the United States to Morocco

The other way to transport goods from the United States to Morocco is by air. It’s the fastest international shipping mode, preferred by those transporting time-sensitive or perishable items. It’s also the most secure, with strict airport rules and processes that can protect high-value cargo. 

But air freight is not perfect. The first drawback is its cost. It can get significantly more expensive than ocean freight, making it unsuitable for those shipping on a budget. The second is its limitations. Air freight cannot accommodate all cargo types and sets limits on the size, weight, and volume of shipments. 

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

The cost of shipping cargo from the United States to Morocco will depend on the following: 

• 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 estimate your shipping costs, use our online freight costs calculator. The table below also shows the current cost of shipping a standard 20-foot container from the US to Morocco:

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

The time it takes to ship goods from the United States to Morocco 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 Morocco?

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

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

Air freight from the United States to Morocco is faster, taking an average of 2 to 8 days. 

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

Customs Clearance in the United States and Morocco

When your US goods arrive in Morocco, they will be subject to 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

Check out our full documents list if you need examples of these customs clearance requirements. 

Should You Choose Ocean Freight or Air Freight?

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

Ocean Freight

Ocean freight is a good option if you value cost efficiency and flexibility and aren’t concerned about the long transit times. It’s also suitable for unique cargo because ocean freight can accommodate all types of goods regardless of their nature, size, weight, or volume. 

Considerations for LCL Freight Shipping

Ship via LCL 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 better for your shipping needs 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 need to get your goods to Morocco fast, air freight is your best bet. It only takes up to 8 days for an air freight shipment to complete, making it ideal for time-sensitive and perishable goods. You will also appreciate air freight if the goods you’re looking to ship are high-value, as it has stricter rules and processes that can help guarantee cargo security.

Before finally choosing air freight, though, be wary of the costs. Air freight can get very expensive. It’s also not as flexible as ocean freight, with strict limits on the nature, size, weight, and volume of the goods you can ship. 

Ocean Cargo Port Guide

Cargo ports of origin in the United States

Port of Long Beach

The Port of Long Beach is the third busiest in the United States, handling over 8 million TEUs annually. Its well-developed infrastructure, which is continually receiving investments and subject to automation and sustainability initiatives, makes it very competitive on the global stage. 

Port of Savannah

The Port of Savannah is an essential trade player between the United States and other nations. It handles over 4 million TEUs annually, making it one of the busiest ports on the US East Coast. Thanks to its deepwater terminals, it has the capacity to handle large vessels. 

Port of Houston 

The Port of Houston is among the busiest ports in the United States, handling over 2 million TEUs annually. It’s an essential gateway for trade between Central America, South America, and the rest of the world. It handles a wide range of cargo types, from containers to breakbulk.

Cargo ports of arrival in Morocco

Port of Tanger Med

The Port of Tanger Med is an industrial complex located 45 kilometers northeast of Tangier. It handles over 9 million containers per year, making it one of the largest industrial ports in the world. The port is the largest in Africa and the Mediterranean Sea. 

Port of Casablanca

The Port of Casablanca is located in the city’s harbors, near Hassan II Mosque. It handles a diverse range of cargo, including conventional cargo, containers, minerals, and RoRo. It receives over 10 million tonnes of goods per year. 

Port of Agadir 

The Port of Agadir is the main gateway for goods entering the southern region of Morocco. Its multipurpose and specialized facilities allow it to handle shipments for the food industry. The port sees over 150,000 TEUs per year. 

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

Airports of origin in the United States

Memphis International Airport

The Memphis International Airport is poised to become the largest cargo airport in the world, handling over 25 billion pounds of cargo per year. It houses the FedEx Express World Hub, which helps boost its growth rate of over 11%. 

Chicago O’Hare International Airport

Chicago O’Hare International Airport is the seventh largest airport in the United States by landed cargo weight. Its relatively high growth rate of over 20%, increasing its cargo traffic year on year, makes the airport slightly congested. 

Miami International Airport

The Miami International Airport is the gateway for the US to Latin America and the Caribbean markets. It handles over 85% of the region’s imports and 80% of its exports. The International Air Transport Association certified it as a pharmaceutical freight hub, making it the first airport in the Western Hemisphere and the second in the world.

Airports of arrival in Morocco

Casablanca Mohammed V International Airport

The Casablanca Mohammed V International Airport serves Casablanca in Morocco. It’s located in the province of Nouaceur. The airport is a hub for Royal Air Maroc, Air Arabia, Air Arabia Maroc, and more.