Ocean & Air Freight Shipping From the United States to the United Kingdom

The United States and the United Kingdom are two of the world’s most significant nations. They also have a flourishing economic relationship, marked by a large trade in goods and services and a strong bilateral relationship.

Trade between the U.S. and the U.K. encompasses various sections, including finance, technology, pharmaceuticals, and manufacturing. In 2022, U.S. goods and services trade with the U.K. totaled $295.6 billion, with exports amounting to $76.2 billion. 

The two countries are each other’s largest source of foreign direct investments, with U.S. exports to the U.K. accounting for 3.7% of overall exports. 

If you need to ship goods from the United States to the United Kingdom, you’ve come to the right place. This guide covers your ocean and air freight shipping options, customs clearance process, and more. 

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

Your options for shipping freight from the United States to the United Kingdom are ocean freight and air freight. Let’s go over each mode of international shipping below. 

Ocean Freight From the United States to the United Kingdom

Ocean freight is the most economical and flexible way to ship goods from the United States to the United Kingdom. Its prices are not as inflated as air freight, and it can accommodate almost all types of cargo that need to be transported. Moreover, ocean freight provides shippers with two container shipping options: less-than-container load (LCL) and full-container load (FCL). 

LCL is best for small cargo. Here, the consolidation process involves goods belonging to different shippers will be consolidated into one container. The shippers only pay for the space their goods occupy, making it highly cost-efficient for small shipments. 

FCL, on the other hand, is where the shipper rents an entire container for their shipment alone. This is best for those who need to transport large volumes of goods or big, heavy, and oversized items. While more expensive than LCL, the shipping costs are worth it if you are transporting large cargo. 

Air Freight from the United States to the United Kingdom

Air freight is another popular way to ship goods from the United States to the United Kingdom. It’s the fastest international shipping mode and only takes a couple of days to complete. This is why it’s preferred by shippers who need to transport perishable or time-sensitive goods. It’s also a top choice among high-value shippers because of strict airport regulations guaranteeing cargo security. 

While fast and secure, air freight is also expensive. Moreover, there are strict rules about what you can and cannot ship, including the dimensions, volume, and weight of your cargo. 

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

The cost of shipping cargo from the United States to the United Kingdom will depend on several factors. These 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 determine your shipping costs, use our online freight costs calculator. Additionally, you can find the current cost of shipping a standard 20-foot container from the US to the UK in the table below:

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

The transit time for cargo shipped from the United States to the United Kingdom can differ based primarily on your chosen international shipping mode. It can also affected by:

• The season (peak season or low season) in which you ship
• The shipment's route - direct on not
• The trade lane's popularity
• Geopolitical instability
• Potential incidents at one of the ports

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

Ocean freight from the United States to the United Kingdom takes at least 15 to 50 days. Another factor that might affect this is the season in which you ship.

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

Air freight from the United States to the United Kingdom takes an average of 2 to 10 days.

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

Customs Clearance in the United States and the United Kingdom

When your U.S. goods arrive in the U.K., 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

Take a look at our full documents list for examples of each customs clearance requirement. 

Should You Choose Ocean Freight or Air Freight?

The choice between ocean and air freight should be based on your needs, priorities, and the requirements of your cargo. To help you decide, we’ve outlined a couple of things to consider below. 

Ocean Freight

Ocean freight is best if you’re looking for a budget-friendly way to ship goods from the U.S. to the U.K. and are okay with longer transit times. It’s also ideal if you need flexibility in your shipment, as it offers two modes of container shipping. 

Considerations for LCL Freight Shipping

You should use 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

You should use 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 the United Kingdom as fast as possible, whether because it’s perishable or time-sensitive or it’s simply your preference, then air freight is the best mode of shipping for you. While it’s more expensive by ocean freight, it only takes 10 days for an air freight shipment to complete. 

It’s also ideal for high-value goods, as air freight abides by stringent airport regulations and processes to ensure cargo security. It’s worth noting that air freight cannot accommodate all cargo types — it limits what you can ship in terms of nature, size, weight, and volume. 

Ocean Cargo Port Guide

Cargo ports of origin in the United States

Port of Seattle-Tacoma

The Port of Seattle-Tacoma is one of the busiest ports in the US. Located in Washington state, it handles a large amount of container traffic. The port merges two Washington ports and is the third-largest port in terms of cargo handling in America. 

Port of Houston

The Port of Houston is the busiest port in America for foreign waterborne tonnage and the largest port on the Gulf Coast. Among the ports in the region, it handles 52% of project cargo and is a major center for maritime commerce. 

Port of Oakland

The Port of Oakland was the first port to build terminals for container ships, making it the first important port on the Pacific Coast. It is one of the top three gateways on the U.S. West Coast, handling 99% of all containerized goods that move through Northern California. 

Cargo ports of arrival in the United Kingdom

Port of London

The Port of London is the gateway to the financial capital of the United Kingdom. It is the second largest port in the U.K., handling 51.2 million tonnes of goods annually. The port has excellent rail, road, and sea links to the rest of the country. 

Port of Immingham

The Port of Immingham, also called the Immingham Docks, is one of the East Coast’s major ports. It has the largest tonnage capacity in the U.K. and handles over 55 million tonnes of cargo per year. The port is mainly used for the shipment of coal and oil cement. 

Port of Liverpool

The Port of Liverpool is strategically situated at the center of the United Kingdom. It handles various cargo types, including containers, automotive, agribulks, forest products, dry bulk, energy products, Ro-Ro, project cargo, and liquid bulks. 

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

Airports of origin in the United States

Los Angeles International Airport

The Los Angeles International Airport is the primary international airport that serves Los Angeles, California, United States, and its surrounding metropolitan area. It is a hub for various cargo airlines, including Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, American Airlines, and more. 

Louisville International Airport

The Louisville International Airport, also known as the Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport, is a civil-military airport located in Louisville, Jefferson County, Kentucky, United States. It spans 1,500 acres and boasts three runways. 

Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport

The Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport is a major airport in Alaska, United States. It is located 8 kilometers southwest of downtown Anchorage. It’s one of the airports included in the Federal Aviation Administration National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems, categorizing it as a medium-hub primary commercial service facility. 

Airports of arrival in the United Kingdom

London Heathrow Airport 

The London Heathrow Airport, simply called Heathrow Airport, is the main international airport serving the capital of England and the United Kingdom. It is the largest of the six international airports in the London airport system. 

London Luton Airport 

The London Luton Airport is located in Luton, Bedfordshire, England, 1.7 miles east of the town center and 29 miles north of Central London. It serves the Greater London Area, Bedfordshire, eastern Buckinghamshire, Northamptonshire, Hertfordshire, and Cambridgeshire. 

Manchester Airport 

The Manchester Airport is located in Ringway, Manchester, England. Specifically, it is 7 miles southwest of the Manchester city center. The airport is one of the busiest in the United Kingdom in terms of passenger and cargo traffic.