Ocean & Air Freight Shipping From the United States to the Netherlands

The trade relationship between the United States and the Netherlands includes robust exchanges and mutual economic benefits. In 2022, the U.S. exported $68.3 billion worth of goods to the Netherlands, up 5.65% over the last decade. 

The goods subject to this trade partnership are diverse, from agricultural products to technology. Crude petroleum is the top product exported, followed by petroleum gas and medical instruments. 

If you want to know your options for shipping goods from the United States to the Netherlands, you’ve come to the right place. Here’s everything you need to know about ocean and air freight shipping, the customs clearance process, and more. 

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

Your options for shipping freight from the United States to the Netherlands are ocean freight and air freight. 

Ocean Freight From the United States to the Netherlands

Ocean freight is the most common way to ship goods from the United States to the Netherlands because of its affordability and flexibility. It can accommodate almost any type of goods you need to transport, offering you two options for container shipping. These are less than container load (LCL) and full container load (FCL). 

LCL involves the consolidation process. Here, your goods are consolidated with cargo from other shippers and shipped in one container. This means you only have to pay for the space your cargo occupies, making it economical for small shipments. 

FCL, on the other hand, is where the shipper rents the space in a container unit for their goods alone. While more expensive than LCL, it’s economical if the space is maximized with large or voluminous cargo. 

Air Freight from the United States to the Netherlands

Another way to ship goods from the United States to the Netherlands is air freight. It’s the fastest international shipping mode for time-sensitive or perishable shipments and, thanks to stricter airport rules, the most secure. 

One drawback of air freight, however, is its cost. It costs significantly more to ship by air than by sea. Air freight can also not accommodate everything because of restricted and prohibited goods. 

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

The cost of shipping cargo from the United States to the Netherlands will depend 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

For a shipping cost estimate, use our freight costs calculator. The table below also lists the current cost for shipping a standard 20-foot container from the US to the Netherlands:

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

The time it takes to ship goods from the United States to the Netherlands is largely dependent on the international shipping mode selected. 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 the Netherlands?

It will take 15 to 50 days to ship cargo by sea. 

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

Air freight from the United States to the Netherlands only takes 2 to 8 days, depending on different variables, such as season.

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

Customs Clearance in the United States and the Netherlands

Once your goods arrive in the Netherlands, they will need to go through the customs clearance process, for which you need to prepare and submit the following paperwork: 

• 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

Here’s a complete document list you can check out for examples of each customs clearance requirement. 

Should You Choose Ocean Freight or Air Freight?

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

Ocean Freight

Ocean freight is right for you if you value cost-effectiveness and flexibility. It can transport any goods you need to get to the Netherlands. When choosing sea freight, you must decide whether to ship via LCL or FCL. 

Considerations for LCL Freight Shipping

Choose 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

You should use 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 you prioritize getting your goods from the United States to the Netherlands fast, then you should choose air freight. It’s perfect for time-sensitive and perishable cargo, and you can get your goods to their destination in a matter of days. It’s also good if you have high-value goods that need extra protection. 

Before settling for air freight, crunch your budget, as it can get costly. Air freight can also not accommodate all types of goods, sizes, weights, and volumes, so do your research before booking your air freight shipment. 

Ocean Cargo Port Guide

Cargo ports of origin in the United States

Port of Houston

The Port of Houston is the busiest in America by foreign waterborne tonnage. It boasts an area of 50 miles, which houses over 200 terminals. It is also hailed as the largest port on the Gulf Coast, handling 52% of project cargo in the region. 

Port of Oakland

The Port of Oakland is home to the first terminals for container ships, making it the first important port on the Pacific Coast. It is one of the top three gateways on the West Coast, handling 99% of all containerized goods that move through Northern California. 

Port of South Carolina

The Port of South Carolina comprises the ports of Georgetown and Charleston. It’s important to the region’s economy, providing 10% of all jobs in the state. The port mostly handles containers, receiving over two million TEUs per year. 

Cargo ports of arrival in the Netherlands

Port of Scheveningen

The Port of Scheveningen is on the Netherlands’ western coast, 20 kilometers from the Hook of Halland. It boasts three harbors and eight wharves capable of handling over 1 million tonnes of cargo annually. 

Port of Vlaardingen

The Port of Vlaardingen is located nine kilometers from Rotterdam. It boasts three commercial harbors that handle general cargo vessels, tankers, and bulk carriers. The port also has a tank farm that can store 435,000 cubic meters of oils and other liquid cargo. 

Port of Harlingen

The Port of Harlingen is an essential industrial port on the Netherlands’ northwestern coast. It is a regional port and logistics hub that spans 30 hectares. It houses 20 wharves and 10 warehouses that handle general cargo, containers, breakbulk, project cargo, and RORO. 

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

Airports of origin in the United States

Salt Lake City International Airport

The Salt Lake City International Airport is a military public airport located 4 miles west of Downtown Salt Lake City, Utah. It is the closest commercial airport for 2.5 million people in the region and a hub for Delta Air Lines, SkyWest Airlines, Delta Connection, and more. 

Laredo International Airport

The Laredo International Airport is located 3 miles northeast of downtown Laredo, Webb County, Texas. It is categorized as a non-hub primary commercial service airport and operates over 45,000 aircraft annually. 

Kansas City International Airport

The Kansas City International Airport is in Kansas City, Missouri, 15 miles northwest of Downtown Kansas City. It is a hub for Frontier Airlines, Trans World Airlines, SkyWest Airlines, and more. In 2023, a new airport complex opened, effectively replacing the old one constructed in 1972.

Airports of arrival in the Netherlands

Amsterdam Airport Schiphol

Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is the main international airport in the Netherlands. It is located 9 kilometers southwest of Amsterdam and is a hub for KLM, KLM Cargo, KLM Cityhopper, and Martinair.

Rotterdam The Hague Airport

The Rotterdam The Hague Airport is a minor international airport that serves the second-largest city, Rotterdam, and The Hague, the administrative and royal capital of the Netherlands. It is the third busiest airport in the country. 

Groningen Airport Eelde

The Groningen Airport Eelde is a minor international airport located in Northeastern Netherlands, near Eelde in Drenthe Province. Although it has two runways, only one is in use. The airport is also used as a home base for a flight academy and aero club.