How much does it cost to ship a container from Europe to the USA?
Shipping a container from Europe to the USA is simpler than it looks — provided you know from day one what makes up the price and who handles the paperwork. The most common mistake is comparing bare freight rates and ignoring the costs that come before the port and after sailing.
Every export is quoted individually once we know the route and the cargo, but below is the full list of cost components and indicative transit times — the same ones we work with daily as a licensed NVOCC registered with the U.S. FMC.
1. What makes up the cost of shipping a container to the USA
The final amount is more than just ocean freight:
- Ocean freight — driven by the route, container size (20', 40', 40' HC) and season
- Haulage of the cargo to the loading port (Gdynia, Gdańsk, Hamburg, Rotterdam)
- Loading, lashing and preparing the cargo to ocean-export standards
- Export documentation: Bill of Lading, ISF (Importer Security Filing), AES/EEI filing
- US-side port charges and clearance, plus optional inland delivery
2. FCL or LCL — which one pays off
A full container (FCL), 20' or 40', makes sense for larger volumes — the whole box is yours and the cargo sails without transloading. A 20' holds about 33 m³, a 40' about 58 m³, and a 40' High Cube about 65 m³.
For smaller consignments, LCL consolidation usually wins — you pay only for the space you use, and your cargo shares a container with other shipments. The break-even point depends on the route and dimensions; we advise once we see the cargo specs.
3. How long shipping a container to the USA takes
The ocean leg from Gdynia or Gdańsk to New York runs about 14–20 days; counting from cargo pickup to release at the US port, plan on 4–6 weeks. Savannah and Charleston take roughly 18–24 days of ocean transit, Houston 24–30, and the West Coast (Los Angeles / Long Beach) 30–40 days.
From North European ports (Hamburg, Rotterdam) the New York transit can be shorter — around 10–14 days. We pick the loading port that works best for your route.
4. Who handles the formalities and how to book
Ocean export to the USA requires carrier status: we operate as a licensed NVOCC (Non-Vessel Operating Common Carrier) registered with the U.S. Federal Maritime Commission (FMC), so vessel booking, the full document set and clearances all run under our roof, on your behalf.
For a quote we only need the loading port or pickup address, the US destination and a cargo description (dimensions, weight, type). Quotes usually go out within 24 hours, and thanks to direct carrier contracts the rates are fixed — no middleman margin.
Quote your container to the USA
Send the loading port, US destination and cargo description — we'll come back with a fixed rate within 24 hours.
+1 (973) 372 1100Frequently asked questions
How much does a 40' container to the USA cost?+
The rate depends on the route, season and cargo type, so there is no one-size price list. Send the loading port, US destination and cargo description and we return a binding quote within 24 hours — at a fixed rate from direct carrier contracts.
Do I need my own license to export to the USA?+
No. It's the carrier that needs NVOCC status registered with the FMC — and we have it. You provide the cargo and basic details; we run the full documentation (B/L, ISF, AES/EEI) and clearances for you.
FCL or LCL — how do I know which to pick?+
As a rule of thumb: once your cargo approaches half a 20' container (~15 m³), FCL usually starts to pay off. Below that, LCL consolidation tends to win. Send the dimensions and weight — we'll compare both options in a single quote.
