Ocean & Air Freight Shipping from the United States to Peru

The United States and Peru are two of the most influential economies in the West Hemisphere. And their trade relationship is a reflection of that. The partnership spans a wide range of industries, from agriculture to tech.

Trade between the two nations has grown steadily over the past decade. In 2022, the US exported $13.8 billion in goods to Peru, which included commodities like refined petroleum, crude petroleum, and scrap iron.

You must be familiar with the shipping process to ship from the US to Peru, starting with your ocean and air freight shipping options. Here is a complete guide to help you out.

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

You can ship freight from the US to Peru in two ways: ocean freight and air freight.

Ocean Freight From the United States to Peru

Ocean freight is the most popular shipping option. Shippers like it because of its affordability and flexibility. It can transport any type of cargo while keeping shipping costs low. Ocean freight also offers shippers two options for container shipping; less-than-container load (LCL) and full-container load (FCL).

LCL is used by those with small shipping needs. Here, goods from different shippers are consolidated and transported in one container. Each shipper only has to pay for their goods' space, making it an economical choice.

FCL is for larger shipments. Here, a shipper rents the space in an entire container for their goods alone. They get more space, control, and security for their cargo. If the space inside the container is maximized, this can provide good value for money.

Air Freight from the United States to Peru

The other way to transport goods from the US to Peru is by air. Air freight is the fastest mode of international transport, able to get goods to their destination in a matter of days. This makes it highly suitable for time-sensitive or perishable shipments.

Air freight is also great for shipping high-value goods. Because airports have stricter regulations and processes, they can help guarantee cargo security during transit.

Air freight, however, is expensive, with shipping fees significantly higher than ocean freight. It’s also not as flexible, with strict regulations on what you can and can’t ship and limits on the size, weight, and volume of your cargo.

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

The cost to ship freight from the US to Peru will differ depending 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

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 US to Hungary:

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

Shipping goods from the US to Peru vary in transit time, primarily based on your international shipping mode. Additional factors impacting this include:

• The shipping season (peak or low)
• The directness of the shipment's route
• The popularity of the trade lane
• Geopolitical issues
• Potential incidents at ports

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

Ocean freight from the US to Peru will take between 15 to 50 days.

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

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

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

Customs Clearance in the United States and Peru

Once your goods arrive in Peru, they will go through customs clearance. 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

You can refer to our full documents list for examples of these customs clearance requirements.

Should You Choose Ocean Freight or Air Freight?

When choosing the correct shipping option for you, you need to consider a couple of things. We outline some pointers below to help you make the right decision for your needs and the requirements of your cargo.

Ocean Freight

If you are shipping on a budget or handling cargo with unique specifications, we recommend ocean freight. This is a highly affordable and flexible way to ship goods from the US to Peru. It even allows you to optimize your shipment with two container shipping options.

Considerations for LCL Freight Shipping

LCL is the right choice 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 better for cargo that 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 are shipping time-sensitive, perishable, or high-value goods, use air freight. This is the fastest and most secure way to get your cargo to Peru. Airport regulations and processes favor air freight, and you can expect your goods to arrive at their destination in 2-8 days.

Before finally settling for this shipping option, consider two things: its cost and limitations. Air freight can be significantly more expensive than ocean freight, but it is less flexible and unable to ship cargo of all sizes, weights, and volumes.

Ocean Cargo Port Guide

Cargo ports of origin in the United States

Port of Virginia

The Port of Virginia is located along the eastern coast. Thanks to its size, it can welcome the largest container vessels in the world. In fact, it’s the sixth biggest port in the US, able to handle over 3.7 million TEUs per year.

Port of Miami

The Port of Miami is a versatile port that can handle a wide range of cargo. It’s undergoing a transformative infrastructure project, the Deep Dredge Project, which will enhance its capacity and connectivity. As of this writing, the port handles over 1.2 million TEUs per year.

Port of Long Beach

The Port of Long Beach is a primary trade gateway located near the Los Angeles Port. It’s the 21st busiest container port in the world and can handle a wide variety of cargo types. The port is known for its eco-friendly policy and is one of the few in the US with such initiatives.

Cargo ports of arrival in Peru

Port of Callao

The Port of Callao is Peru's main port in terms of traffic and storage capacity. It’s located in the central coast’s capital city of Lima and is connected to the industrial area of the capital. The port can handle heavy cargo.

Port of Matalani

The Port of Matalani is 452 miles south of Callao. It serves the southern region of Peru and major cities in Bolivia. Since its management was handed over to Terminal Internacional del Sur SA (TISUR), the port has seen its cargo operations multiply.

Port of Salaverry

The Port of Salaverry is an artificial port consisting of a dock and a 700-meter-long breakwater. It serves Truillo and the neighboring states of Cajamarca, Lambayeque, and Ancash. Two quays handle general cargo and bulk cargo.

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

Airports of origin in the United States

Chicago O'Hare International Airport

Chicago O'Hare International Airport is a major airport serving Chicago, Illinois. It is about 17 miles northwest of the Loop business district and handles over 1.9 million metric tonnes of cargo per year.

Newark Liberty International Airport

Newark Liberty International Airport is a major international airport serving the New York metropolitan area. It is an essential hub for FedEx Express, handling over 695,000 short tonnes of cargo annually.

San Bernardino International Airport

The San Bernardino International Airport is located 2 miles southeast of downtown San Bernardino in the US state of California. It has one runway that can accommodate the largest existing aircraft in the world. The airport spans over 1,329 acres of land and is a hub for Amazon Air.

Airports of arrival in Peru

Jorge Chávez International Airport

The Jorge Chávez International Airport is the main international airport in Peru. It serves the capital city of Lima, located 11 kilometers northwest of the Lima Center. The airport handles over 230,000 tonnes of freight per year and sees 169,000 aircraft movements. It is a hub for LATAM Airlines, LATAM Perú, Star Perú, Sky Airline Peru, and more.

Why Ship From the United States to Peru With iContainers?

Shipping cargo is influenced by various factors, including the season, shipment size, shipping method, and the starting and ending locations.

iContainers, with years of industry expertise, combines traditional freight forwarding services with modern technology to enhance your convenience. Our digital platform lets you manage every aspect of your shipment—from requesting a quote to booking and tracking your cargo—all from your mobile device.

Contact us for a free quote whenever you need it. We are always ready to assist you with the information you need.