Ocean & Air Freight Shipping From the United States to Romania

The trade relationship between the United States and Romania bridges the Atlantic. Their trade flows are diverse and dynamic, encompassing a wide range of commodities such as high-tech innovations, industrial machinery, agricultural products, and consumer goods. 

In 2022, the United States exported over $1.24 billion worth of goods to Romania, including navigation equipment ($123 million), explosive ammunition ($105 million), and broadcasting equipment ($73.3 million). US exports to Romania have increased 25% per year. 

To ship from the United States to Romania with ease and confidence, you need to navigate the process seamlessly. This complete guide to successful ocean and air freight shipping from the US to Romania provides you with that information. 

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

You can ship goods from the US to Romania using ocean freight or air freight. 

Ocean Freight From the United States to Romania

Ocean freight is the most common shipping option because of its cost efficiency and flexibility. It can accommodate any type of cargo you need to transport without putting too much of a dent in your shipping budget. It even offers two options for container shipping: less-than-container load (LCL) and full-container load (FCL). 

LCL, used by shippers with small shipping needs, involves consolidation. Your goods will be consolidated with cargo from other shippers and shipped in one container. That way, you’ll only have to pay for the space your cargo occupies. 

FCL is used by those with larger shipping needs. They rent the space in an entire container for their goods alone, which gives them more space, control, and security for their shipment. This can be an economical choice if you can maximize the entire space inside a container.  

Air Freight from the United States to Romania

You can also transport goods from the US to Romania by air. Air freight is the fastest and most secure way to ship goods overseas, making it ideal for time-sensitive, high-value, and perishable shipments. 

It has strict regulations and processes, which can be a pro or con, depending on your perspective. While this can mean more security for your cargo, it also means it limits the nature, size, weight, and volume of your shipments. 

Air freight is also the most expensive way to ship from the US to Romania, so consider this before deciding. 

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

The cost to ship cargo from the US to Romania 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

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 Romania:

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

The duration for shipping goods from the United States to Romania is primarily influenced by the international shipping mode chosen. Other factors that can affect this include:

• The season (whether it's peak or low season)
• The directness of the shipment route
• How popular the trade lane is
• Geopolitical instability
• Potential incidents at the ports

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

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

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

Air freight is much faster, taking anywhere from 2 to 8 days.

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

Customs Clearance in the United States and Romania

Goods that arrive in Romania from the US will need to go through the customs clearance process. This involves preparing and submitting 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 look at for examples of each customs clearance requirement. 

Should You Choose Ocean Freight or Air Freight?

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

Ocean Freight

Ocean freight is suitable for those who value cost efficiency and flexibility. It can accommodate any type of cargo you need to get to Romania while allowing you to optimize your shipping costs with two container shipping options. 

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

FCL might be a better option for you 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

Choose air freight if you need your goods to arrive in Romania fast. The fastest mode of international shipping, it’s best for time-sensitive and perishable shipments. Shippers of high-value goods also appreciate air freight for its security, with strict airport rules and regulations helping keep cargo safe during shipping. 

There are two drawbacks to air freight, though. The first is the cost, with air freight shipping significantly more expensive than ocean freight. The second is its limitations. It’s not as flexible and can’t accommodate cargo of all types, sizes, weights, and volumes. 

Ocean Cargo Port Guide

Cargo ports of origin in the United States

Port of Savannah

The Port of Savannah is located in the US State of Georgia. It’s one of the largest and fastest-growing container ports in the country. It covers over 200 acres and handles over 5.6 million containers per year. 

Port of Los Angeles

The Port of Los Angeles, also known as the Los Angeles Harbor, is important for the Pacific Rim’s trade activities. It spans 7,500 acres, can accommodate the largest vessels worldwide, and handles many cargo types. 

Port of Charleston

The Port of Charleston is located in the US State of South Carolina. It’s one of the most vital trade hubs in the country, catering to both containerized and non-containerized cargo. It’s the 8th busiest container facility in the US, handling over 2.7 million TEUs annually. 

Cargo ports of arrival in Romania

Port of Constanta

The Port of Constanta is Romania's most important port, serving as its most crucial hub for trade. It handles a wide range of cargo types, including dry, liquid, project, and general cargo. It is a multipurpose trading port with a capacity of 90 million tonnes per annum. 

Port of Midia

The Port of Midia is located on the coastline of the Black Sea. It is a satellite port constructed to meet the shipping requirements of the nearby industrial and petrochemical industries. It transports commodities such as fisheries, oil products, ammonia, and chemicals. 

Port of Medgidia

The Port of Medgidia is one of Romania’s largest riverine ports. It’s also among the busiest due to its location on the Danube-Black Sea Canal. The port handles over 1.2 million tonnes of annual commercial traffic and 10.3 million tonnes of annual industrial traffic. 

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

Airports of origin in the United States

Louisville International Airport

Louisville International Airport is one of the most popular airports in the world. It’s home to the UPS Worldport, which allows it to process over 1.6 million pounds of heavy freight and handle over 2.3 million tonnes of cargo per year. 

Miami International Airport 

Miami International Airport is the top airport for international freight in the US, handling over 2 million tonnes of cargo per year. It boasts a dedicated cargo facility with 18 warehouses covering 3.4 million square feet. 

Chicago O’Hare International Airport

The Chicago O’Hare International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world. It’s a global air cargo gateway, handling over 1.5 million tonnes of cargo annually. It boasts four airside cargo facilities and two landside cargo facilities. 

Airports of arrival in Romania

Bucharest Henri Coandă International Airport

The Bucharest Henri Coandă International Airport is the busiest international airport in Romania. It’s located in Otopeni, 16.5 kilometers north of Bucharest city center. It’s one of two airports serving the capital city. The airport is a DHL Aviation, Turkish Cargo, and UPS Airlines hub. 

Romania Suceava International Airport

The Romania Suceava International Airport, also known as Suceava Ștefan cel Mare International Airport, serves Suceava, Romania. It is a hub for Chris Air and sees over 8,000 aircraft movements annually. 

Arad International Airport

The Arad International Airport is located 4 kilometers west of Arad in western Romania. It houses its region's largest and most modern cargo terminal, spreading over 5,000 square meters. The airport has a traffic capacity of 50 per hour.