Ocean & Air Freight Shipping From the United States to Sweden

The United States and Sweden have a dynamic and mutually beneficial trade relationship. This relationship encompasses a range of products, from machinery to pharmaceuticals to agricultural commodities.

In 2022, the United States exported $7.6 billion worth of merchandise to Sweden, which, along with imports, generated a trade deficit of $9.9 billion. The U.S.’s main exports to Sweden span the industries of aerospace and defense, automotive, telecommunications, healthcare, IT, security, industrial, and renewable energy.

If you need to ship goods from the United States to Sweden, here’s your complete guide: ocean and air freight shipping options, costs, transit times, and more. 

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

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

Ocean Freight From the United States to Sweden

Ocean freight is the most common way to ship goods from the United States to Sweden because of its affordability and flexibility. Shippers like it because it can accommodate almost any type of cargo, from small products to larger machinery and equipment. 

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 transporting small cargo. Their goods will be consolidated with shipments belonging to other sellers and transported in a single container. This means each shipper only has to pay for the space their goods occupy, making it an economical choice for small volumes of goods. 

FCL, on the other hand, is where a shipper rents the space in an entire container for their goods alone. Maximizing the space in the container for large volumes of goods can be economical. Because no consolidation is involved, FCL is a more secure way to transport cargo. 

Air Freight from the United States to Sweden

Another way to ship goods from the United States to Sweden is through air freight. This is the fastest way to get cargo to your destination, so shippers of time-sensitive and perishable items prefer it. It’s also highly secure because of strict airport regulations, making it ideal for high-value shipments. 

The drawback of air freight is its cost and restrictiveness. It can get significantly more expensive than ocean freight and can’t ship all types of cargo, limiting the nature, size, weight, and volume of the goods you can transport by air. 

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

The cost of shipping cargo from the United States to Sweden will depend on the following: 

• 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 of shipping a standard 20-foot container from the US to Sweden:

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

Shipping goods from the US to Sweden varies in transit time, primarily based on the international shipping mode you choose. 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 Sweden?

Ocean freight from the United States to Sweden takes an average of about 15 to 50 days, depending on the season in which you ship.

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

Air freight from the United States to Sweden only takes 2 to 8 days, more or less, depending on the season.

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

Customs Clearance in the United States and Sweden

When your goods arrive in Sweden, they will go through the customs clearance process, during which customs authorities will assess and inspect the cargo. For this, you will need to be ready with 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

Take a look at our full documents list for examples of these customs clearance requirements. 

Should You Choose Ocean Freight or Air Freight?

When choosing a suitable mode of international shipping for your cargo, you must consider your needs, priorities, and cargo requirements. Here are some things to consider to help you decide between ocean and air freight. 

Ocean Freight

Ocean freight is for budget-friendly shipments or those that need flexibility. It can ship any cargo you need to get to Sweden and offers two container shipping options. 

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

You should choose 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 want your goods to arrive in Sweden as fast as possible, then air freight is your best bet. It’s the fastest international shipping mode for time-sensitive and perishable cargo. It’s also a good option for high-value goods, as stricter airport regulations can help guarantee cargo security. 

Keep in mind, however, that air freight is expensive. It’s also unable to ship all types of goods, and there is quite a list of restricted and prohibited cargo. 

Ocean Cargo Port Guide

Cargo ports of origin in the United States

Port of Savannah

The Port of Savannah is located in Georgia and is North America's largest single-terminal container facility. Its strength is handling heavy goods, such as machinery, vehicles, and agricultural products. 

Port of Virginia

The Port of Virginia is the sixth-biggest port in the United States. It can welcome the largest container vessels in the world and is famous for its efficient cargo-handling processes. 

Port of Charleston

The Port of Charleston is essential for South Carolina’s economic growth. It handles 2.79 million TEUs per year and is popular because of its efficient operations and environmental commitment. The port also contributes to state infrastructure development. 

Cargo ports of arrival in Sweden

Port of Goteborg 

The Port of Goteborg is the largest in the Nordic countries. It receives 11,000 visits from ships from over 140 nations annually. The port handles 39 million tonnes of goods annually and has an annual container volume of 762,000 TEUs. 

Port of Helsingborg 

The Port of Helsingborg is one of the largest ferry ports in Sweden. It is well-versed in handling container shipments and is hailed as a leading port in Northern Europe. It can handle all types of cargo, seeing more than 8 million tonnes of goods per year. 

Port of Norrkoping

The Port of Norrkoping is an essential hub for ocean transport. It boasts well-developed facilities and resources to facilitate international shipping. The port can handle all types of cargo, including containers, bulk, liquid, general goods, and Ro-Ro. 

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

Airports of origin in the United States

Los Angeles International Airport

The Los Angeles International Airport serves Los Angeles and its surrounding metropolitan area. It is located in the state of California in the United States. The airport boasts four runways and hubs for Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, United Airlines, and more. 

Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport

The Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport is the primary airport that serves the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex in North Texas. It handles over 774,000 tonnes of cargo annually and is a hub for American Airlines, Spirit Airlines, Envoy Air, and more.

Philadelphia International Airport

The Philadelphia International Airport serves Philadelphia in the state of Pennsylvania. It is the 21st busiest airport in the U.S. by passenger traffic and a hub for American Airlines, US Airways, PSA Airlines, and more. 

Airports of arrival in Sweden

Stockholm Arlanda Airport

The Stockholm Arlanda Airport serves Stockholm, the capital of Sweden. It’s located in the municipality of Sigtuna, 37 kilometers north of Stockholm. The airport is a hub for Scandinavian Airlines, Norwegian Air Shuttle, and others. 

Göteborg Landvetter Airport

The Göteborg Landvetter Airport serves the region of Gothenburg in Sweden. It is the second-largest airport in the nation by passenger traffic and one of the most essential freight airports.

Malmö Airport 

The Malmö Airport, formerly called the Sturup Airport, is Sweden's fourth busiest airport. It is located in the municipality of Svedala, 28 kilometers east of Malmö. The airport serves as a hub for TUI Fly Nordic, West Atlantic, West Air Sweden, Transair Sweden, Falcon Air, Goodjet, and Thomas Cook Airlines Scandinavia.