Ocean & Air Freight Shipping from the United States to Portugal

Portugal is positioning itself as a key gateway to Europe, and American businesses are taking advantage of it. The trade flow between the two nations is rising at an annualized rate of 23.3% in the last 5 years. In 2022, the US exported $3.24 billion in goods to Portugal, mainly consisting of top commodities like petroleum gas, crude petroleum, and soybeans.

To ship from the US to Portugal successfully and take advantage of Portugal’s role as a gateway to European countries, you need to be aware of the entire process. Here’s how to ship from the US to Portugal by ocean or air freight.

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

You can ship cargo from the US to Portugal using ocean freight or air freight.

Ocean Freight From the United States to Portugal

Ocean freight is popular among shippers because of its affordability and flexibility. It can transport any type of cargo, from small items to more extensive and heavier goods. It offers shippers two options for container shipping: less than container load (LCL) and full container load (FCL), allowing them to further optimize their shipment according to their needs and budgets.

LCL is used for small shipments. Here, shippers’ goods are consolidated with cargo belonging to other sellers and shipped together in one container. This means each shipper only has to pay for the space their cargo occupies, making it an economical choice.

FCL is for larger cargo. The shipper rents the space in an entire container for their goods alone, giving them more space, control, and security. If the space inside the container is maximized, FCL can provide good value for money.

Air Freight from the United States to Portugal

Another shipping option is air freight. Hailed as the fastest international shipping mode, air freight can get cargo to its destination in days. It’s also the most secure, with airport regulations and processes helping guarantee cargo safety during transit.

Because of these, air freight is popular among shippers for time-sensitive and high-value cargo. However, they should also be aware of the downsides, which include a higher cost and limited flexibility.

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

The cost to ship cargo from the US to Portugal 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 an accurate estimate of your shipping costs, utilize our online freight costs calculator. Below, you'll find the current cost for shipping a standard 20-foot container from the US to Portugal:

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

Shipping goods from the US to Portugal varies 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 Portugal?

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

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

If you ship by air, your cargo will arrive in Portugal in 2 to 8 days.

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

Customs Clearance in the United States and Portugal

Before your goods can be successfully imported into Portugal, they must 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

We have a full documents list for examples of each customs clearance requirement.

Should You Choose Ocean Freight or Air Freight?

Choosing between ocean and air freight can be a challenging endeavor. But to make the right decision, you need to consider your needs, priorities, and cargo requirements. Some pointers to help you are outlined below.

Ocean Freight

Ocean freight is best for those who are on a budget or have cargo needs that air freight cannot accommodate. This shipping mode is highly flexible and can handle a diverse range of cargo types. When you opt for ocean freight, choose wisely between LCL and FCL.

Considerations for LCL Freight Shipping

LCL is 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 used 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

Air freight is the mode of shipping of choice if you need to get your goods to Portugal fast. It takes only 2-8 days to complete, perfect for time-sensitive and perishable cargo. It’s also the most secure way to transport goods, with strict airport processes helping add extra security for high-value goods.

But air freight can get expensive. It’s also not very flexible, with strict rules on your cargo's type, size, weight, and volume.

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 port in the US, handling over 8 million TEUs every year. It has a well-developed infrastructure, with ongoing investments in automation and sustainability. It boasts 80 cargo berths in its 3,200-acre land area.

Port of Houston

The Port of Houston is one of the busiest ports in the US, handling over 2 million TEUs per year. It’s a gateway for American trade with the rest of the world. It can handle containerized cargo, breakbulk, and project cargo.

Port of Los Angeles

The Port of Los Angeles is the busiest port in North America and also the largest in the US. It handles over 10 million TEUs per year, welcoming over 1,800 vessels. The port’s 7,500-acre land area has an annual cargo tonnage of 222 million metric revenue tonnes.

Cargo ports of arrival in Portugal

Port of Lisbon

The Port of Lisbon is Portugal’s main seaport on the Tagus River near the Atlantic Ocean outlet. It handles most of Portugal's exports and imports, which are essential to the city’s economy. It is visited by over 3,500 vessels and handles 13.2 million tonnes of cargo per year.

Port of Aveiro

The Port of Aveiro is a sheltered river port that handles various cargo types, including general cargo, liquid chemicals, fish, grains, metal products, and cement. It handles 3.5 million tonnes of cargo annually and welcomes over 1,000 vessels.

Port of Leixoes

The Port of Leixoes is one of Portugal’s most important ports, serving the country’s northern region. It handles containerized cargo, conventional cargo, solid bulk, and liquid bulk, as well as ro-ro and passenger vessels. The port handles over 20% of Portuguese international trade, seeing over 450,000 TEUs per year.

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

Airports of origin in the United States

Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport

The Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport is the US’ third busiest cargo airport. It’s home to the UPS Worldport, which is the world’s largest package sorting facility. It connects the US state of Louisville to the rest of the world, offering direct flights to
major cities.

Miami International Airport

The Miami International Airport handles a high volume of container traffic, seeing over 2 million tonnes of cargo annually. It boasts over 50 cargo carriers with direct flights to over 60 countries. It’s also home to a vast range of logistical facilities and warehouses.

Los Angeles International Airport

The Los Angeles International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world. In the US, it ranks fourth, handling over 2 million tonnes of cargo per year. The largest air freight companies globally use this airport's facilities.

Airports of arrival in Portugal

Faro International Airport

The Faro International Airport, also called the Faro-Gago Coutinho International Airport, is located 4 kilometers west of Faro City in Portugal. It is the main gateway to the Faro District and southwestern Spain. The airport is a hub for Ryanair, Air Atlantis, and Air Columbus.

Humberto Delgado Airport

The Humberto Delgado Airport is informally called the Lisbon Airport. It’s located 7 kilometers east of Lisbon, a city center in Portugal. It is a hub for TAP Air Portugal, Ryanair, Iberia, Azores Airlines, and more.

Why Ship From the United States to Portugal 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.

Feel free to contact us for a free quote at any time. We are always here to provide the information you need.