Container shipping USA → Europe
20' and 40' containers from the US East Coast across the Atlantic, with doorstep delivery in Europe. No middlemen — direct carrier contracts and full service from loading to clearance.
- Full containers (FCL) and shared loads (LCL)
- Door-to-door with customs clearance
- 25+ years on the USA – Europe trade lane
- English- and Polish-speaking support 7 days a week
Container shipping from the USA to Europe takes about 4–6 weeks door-to-door — roughly 3–4 weeks of ocean transit to the port of Gdynia, Poland, plus customs clearance and inland delivery. Leśniewski Shipping arranges full 20' and 40' containers (FCL) and shared loads (LCL) on direct carrier contracts, with no middlemen, since 1994 — including complete customs handling and delivery to your door.
Why choose Leśniewski Shipping for container freight
We've been moving cargo across the Atlantic since 1994. We only do what we're best at.
Full-service 20' and 40' containers
End-to-end handling of 20' and 40' containers: loading, ocean transport, customs clearance, and doorstep delivery — all from one provider.
Direct carrier contracts
We book directly with ocean carriers. No reseller margins between you and the ship.
5 US warehouses
A network of five US warehouses lets us pick up and consolidate cargo close to you before it goes into a container.
Door-to-door
We collect at your US address and deliver at your European destination. No port runs, no terminal trips.
Cargo insurance
We provide the option to purchase insurance to cover your shipment.
Offices in the USA and Europe
Someone always answers the phone in local hours, on both sides of the Atlantic.
How a container ship-out works
We manage the whole process on your behalf — from pickup in the USA to delivery in Europe.
- 1
Quote and booking
Personalized quote within 1–2 business days. Once approved we reserve container space on a sailing and lock in the loading date.
- 2
Loading at your location
We position a container at your US address or accept cargo at our warehouse. Packing help is available.
- 3
Ocean transit USA → Europe
Roughly 3–4 weeks at sea. You get a Bill of Lading and can track the container the whole way.
- 4
Clearance and delivery
European customs clearance, inland transport to your address, final invoice and paperwork — done.
Transit time and container capacity
Approximate ocean transit times on the USA – Europe lane and the capacity of 20', 40' and 40' High Cube containers. We confirm the exact schedule and quote individually.
Transit time by port (approximate)
| Route | Ocean transit | Total door-to-door |
|---|---|---|
| New York / New Jersey → Gdynia | ~16–20 days | 4–6 weeks |
| New York / New Jersey → Hamburg / Rotterdam | ~12–16 days | 3–5 weeks |
| Savannah → North Europe | ~16–22 days | 5–6 weeks |
| Houston → North Europe | ~24–30 days | 6–7 weeks |
| Los Angeles → North Europe | ~30–38 days | 7–8 weeks |
Container capacity
| Container | Capacity | Max payload | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20' | ~33 m³ (1,170 ft³) | up to ~28 t | Part of a home or 1 car |
| 40' | ~58 m³ (2,050 ft³) | up to ~28 t | A whole apartment + 1 car |
| 40' High Cube | ~65 m³ (2,290 ft³) | up to ~28 t | A large home + 1–2 cars |
Transit times are indicative and depend on the port, carrier schedule and customs clearance. Contact us for an exact quote and sailing date.
Frequently asked questions
Typically 4–6 weeks door-to-door. The ocean leg is roughly 3–4 weeks; the rest is US loading, European customs clearance, and inland delivery.
Primarily New York / New Jersey and Savannah, Georgia. We can also book from other US ports on request.
Yes. We offer LCL (shared container) — your cargo travels with other shipments and you pay only for the space you use.
Yes. We file US export paperwork and handle full European customs clearance on arrival. You don't need to visit a customs office in person.
A standard 40' holds about 58 m³ of usable cargo; a 40' High Cube about 65 m³. That's typically enough for a whole apartment plus one or two vehicles.
For most shipments you'll need a packing list describing the contents, proof of ownership or commercial invoices for the goods, and ID. For vehicles we also need the title. We prepare the US export paperwork and the Bill of Lading and handle European customs clearance for you, so you don't visit a customs office in person.
Household goods and furniture, vehicles such as cars and motorcycles, machinery, and general commercial cargo. A 40' container typically fits a whole apartment plus one or two vehicles. Some goods are restricted or prohibited, so let us know what you're sending and we'll confirm what's allowed before booking.
Get a container shipping quote
Send us a short request or call. We'll come back with a personalized quote in 1–2 business days.
- We answer within one business hour during office hours.
- English- and Polish-speaking support from both sides of the Atlantic.
- No commitment — the quote is free.
Explore our other services
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Learn moreCar imports from Canada
Cars from Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver to Europe.
Learn moreParcels USA → Europe
Consolidated parcels on regular sailings.
Learn moreCar parts USA → Europe
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