Ocean & Air Freight Shipping From the United States to Slovakia

The United States—Slovakia trade relationship stands out in the dynamic international trade arena. While these nations have distinct historical courses, their partnership stands as a beacon of economic collaboration and cross-cultural exchange. 

In 2022, the United States exported $700 million worth of goods to Slovakia. The primary exported goods included coal briquettes, cars, and iron ore. This trade relationship has flourished, increasing at an annualized rate of 5.89% in the last 27 years. 

You've come to the right place if you want to ship goods from the United States to Slovakia. This guide provides a complete overview of your ocean and air freight shipping options and the process of shipping cargo from the U.S. to Slovakia. 

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

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

Ocean Freight From the United States to Slovakia

Ocean freight is the most popular type of shipping from the United States to Slovakia. Shippers like it because it is cost-efficient and flexible, allowing them to ship a wide range of cargo types. Ocean freight offers shippers two methods of container shipping: less-than-container load (LCL) and full-container load (FCL). 

LCL is best for small shipments because it involves the consolidation process. Here, cargo will be consolidated with shipments from other sellers and shipped together in one container. That way, each shipper only pays for the space their cargo occupies. 

FCL, on the other hand, is ideal for shippers transporting larger goods. They rent the space in an entire container for their shipment alone, which gives them more control over the container and guarantees the security of their cargo. 

Air Freight from the United States to Slovakia

Another way to ship goods from the United States to Slovakia is air freight. This is the fastest but also the most expensive mode of international shipping. Air freight is most preferred by shippers of time-sensitive or perishable items and those transporting high-value goods. Airport security is more stringent than that of ocean freight, guaranteeing the safety of high-value cargo. 

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

The cost of shipping cargo from the United States to Slovakia will depend on a couple of factors, which include: 

• 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 United States to Slovakia: 

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

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

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

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

Air freight from the United States to Slovakia takes 2 to 8 days. 

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

Customs Clearance in the United States and Slovakia

When your goods arrive from the United States to Slovakia, they must go through customs clearance. This should be a breeze, provided 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

If you need examples of these customs clearance requirements, see our full documents list. 

Should You Choose Ocean Freight or Air Freight?

When choosing between ocean and air freight, you need to consider your needs, priorities, and cargo requirements. We've outlined some pointers below to help you make the right decision. 

Ocean Freight

Ocean freight might be the suitable international shipping mode for you if you prioritize cost efficiency and flexibility. Not only can it accommodate all types of cargo, but it also allows you to choose the container shipping method that suits your needs, whether LCL or FCL. 

Considerations for LCL Freight Shipping

LCL is suitable for you 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 may be the container shipping method 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

If your goal is to get your goods from the United States to Slovakia fast, you should choose air freight. An air freight shipment takes only 2-8 days to complete, making it ideal for time-sensitive and perishable cargo. It can also accommodate your high-value shipments, and stringent airport regulations guarantee the security of your goods. 

However, this speed and security come at a cost, with air freight being the most expensive way to ship goods from the United States to Slovakia. It also has quite a list of restricted and prohibited goods, so check if it can accept the type of goods you want to transport. 

Ocean Cargo Port Guide

Cargo ports of origin in the United States

Port of Los Angeles

The Port of Los Angeles has earned the title “America’s Port,” given that it’s the largest in North America and handles 20% of all incoming cargo for the United States. It boasts a land area of 7,500 acres with 25 cargo terminals. 

Port of New Jersey and New York

The Port of New Jersey and New York is the largest port on the U.S. East Coast. It handles over 7.4 million containers per year, carrying a diverse array of cargo. The port houses the Port Authority Marine Terminal, making it essential for its location’s economic activity. 

Port of Long Beach

The Port of Long Beach is a primary trade gateway, ranking 21st among the busiest container ports in the world. It’s popular because of its eco-friendly processes and its ability to handle a wide range of cargo types. 

Cargo ports of arrival in Slovakia

Port of Bratislava

The Port of Bratislava is a significant universal inland port located on the Danube River in Bratislava, the capital city of Slovakia. The port is divided into two parts: a cargo port and a passenger port. The cargo port comprises four port basins for transshipping goods between rail, road, and water means. 

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

Airports of origin in the United States

Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport

The Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport is a cargo airport in the Midwest. It ranks sixth in the United States, seeing a 104% increase in landed cargo weight in recent years. It is home to Amazon’s central Prime Air hub and DHL’s North American hub. 

Chicago O’Hare International Airport

The Chicago O’Hare International Airport ranks 7th regarding landed cargo weight among all U.S. airports. Because it is so popular, cargo delays and congestion are shared here. At one point, congestion in the Chicago O’Hare airport exceeded that of the JFK airport in New York. 

Chicago/Rockford International Airport

The Chicago/Rockford International Airport is the 17th largest cargo airport in the United States by landed weight. Its cargo traffic has increased by 244% in recent years. The airport is home to UPS’ second-largest facility in North America and is also a central Amazon Air hub. 

Airports of arrival in Slovakia

M. R. Štefánik Airport Bratislava

The M. R. Štefánik Airport Bratislava, or Airport Bratislava for short, is located 9 kilometers from the city center of Bratislava. It spans an area of three municipalities. The airport is the leading international airport in Slovakia and is a hub for Czech Airlines, Smartwings Slovakia, AirExplore, Samair, and more.