High-volume shippers of furniture, apparel, machinery, and iron/steel products favor sealed 20 ft or 40 ft containers for security and predictable landed costs. Typical port-to-port transits: Shanghai → Miami ≈ 32–38 days; Rotterdam → Miami ≈ 30–43 days.
SMEs moving luxury retail items, specialty foods, or hospitality supplies leverage consolidation hubs such as Cartagena, Panama, and Antwerp, delivering door-to-door in 15–28 days throughout the Southeast U.S. and Caribbean.
When speed trumps cost, book air freight into Miami International Airport (MIA)—ranked #1 in the U.S. for international freight and #5 worldwide in 2024. Ideal for high-value electronics, urgent spare parts, or perishables requiring 2- to 5-day delivery. (miami-airport.com)
Container shipping rates to Miami
Mode | Typical Transit Window* |
---|---|
FCL – Asia → Miami | 30 – 40 days |
FCL – Europe → Miami | 20 – 35 days |
LCL – Regional hubs | 15 – 30 days |
Air Freight – Global | 1 – 7 days |
*Includes sailing time plus average terminal handling and customs.
Origin Ports | U.S. Arrival | Notes |
---|---|---|
Shanghai • Ningbo • Yantian | PortMiami (US MIA) | All-water via Panama; weekly express Asia–US East loops. |
Cartagena • Colón | PortMiami | Feeder services for LatAm & Caribbean re-export. |
Rotterdam • Antwerp • Hamburg | PortMiami | Fast North-Atlantic crossings, 30–43 days. |
— | MIA (air) | Largest U.S. gateway for flowers & perishables; 91 % of all U.S. cut-flower imports. |
Common Commodities (top PortMiami TEU categories 2024)
Restricted or Special-Permit Goods
Yes. Dedicated temperature-controlled warehouses, expedited USDA inspections, and on-dock reefers support fast clearance for perishables.
Absolutely. Use Foreign-Trade Zone 281 or bond-in-transit options for fast trans-shipment without paying U.S. import duty.
Not legally, but iContainers strongly recommends it—especially during Florida’s hurricane season when port closures and heavy seas heighten risk.