Container Shipping to North America — Get Instant Quotes
Why Choose iContainers for Shipping to North America ?
- World-class port coverage. North America hosts seven of the planet’s twenty busiest container gateways—led by Los Angeles, Long Beach, and New York/New Jersey—each handling 5 million + TEU per year, which translates into frequent sailings and competitive rates. (supplychain247.com, Pacific Merchant Shipping Association)
- Flexible capacity when markets tighten. Demand swings and tariff uncertainty have pushed many importers toward LCL to avoid over-stocking; uptake on Asia–US lanes stayed “steady” through Q2 2025 despite softer FCL volumes. (maersk.com)
- Live market insight & congestion handling. Ongoing West-Coast congestion—volumes rose 20-30 % in late 2024—means you need proactive space management and alternate-port options.
- End-to-end digital support. Secure bookings, upload documents, and track every milestone in one dashboard while our U.S., Canadian, and Mexican teams navigate customs and last-mile drayage.
Our Container Shipping Services to North America
Full Container Load (FCL) Shipping
Most high-volume cargo—electronics, automotive parts, industrial machinery—moves into North America as FCL 40 ft or 20 ft boxes. (Tyler Data & Insights)
Popular port-pair lead times
- Shanghai → Los Angeles: ≈ 30-40 days, direct Trans-Pacific loops
- Rotterdam → New York: ≈ 15-25 days, fast North Atlantic services
Less than Container Load (LCL) Shipping
Ideal for shipments under ~15 m³. Growing LCL demand helps SMEs control duty exposure and maintain cash flow when tariffs fluctuate. (marketresearchfuture.com)
Air Freight — The Fast Alternative
Need it this week, not next month? Air freight via gateways such as LAX, JFK, YYZ (Toronto), or MEX (Mexico City) delivers door-to-door in 5-10 days from major EU/Asia hubs.
North-America-specific challenges & opportunities
- Port labour actions: East & Gulf-Coast strike threats were defused by a six-year labour deal in January 2025, but shippers still build buffers for any residual disruption. (Reuters)
- Hurricane season (Jun–Nov): U.S. Gulf ports and Mexican Gulf/Caribbean terminals can face weather-driven closures; consider West-Coast routings or advance bookings.
- Rail & trucking bottlenecks: Inland moves from Vancouver or Long Beach may queue during peak season; intermodal diversification (Seattle/Tacoma, Prince Rupert, Manzanillo) mitigates risk.
Container shipping rates to North America
How much does it cost to ship a container to North America?
How Long Does It Take to Ship a Container to North America?*
| Origin | Mode | Typical Transit Time* | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shanghai, CN | FCL | 30 – 40 days | Direct TP loops |
| Rotterdam, NL | FCL | 15 – 25 days | Fast North Atlantic |
| Santos, BR | FCL | 18 – 28 days | East-Coast calls |
| Singapore | LCL | 25 – 35 days | Weekly consol services |
| Frankfurt, DE → JFK | Air | 5 – 9 days | Door-to-door |
*Port-to-port unless noted; final lead time depends on origin cut-off, customs, and first/last-mile legs.
Popular Routes & Ports Serving North America
- United States: Los Angeles, Long Beach, Oakland, Houston, Savannah, New York/New Jersey
- Canada: Vancouver, Prince Rupert (West Coast); Montréal, Halifax (East Coast)
- Mexico: Manzanillo, Lázaro Cárdenas (Pacific); Veracruz, Altamira (Gulf)
Ports ranked by 2024 TEU throughput and value share of trade. (supplychain247.com, Pacific Merchant Shipping Association)
Steps to Book Your Container with iContainers
- Instant Quote – Enter cargo specs and compare carriers in seconds.
- Select & Secure – Lock the sailing that fits your budget and timeline.
- Upload Docs – Commercial invoice, packing list, plus any NAFTA/USMCA certs.
- Arrange Pickup – Door, port, or bonded warehouse—your choice.
- Track & Manage – Live milestone alerts and 24/7 support until POD delivery.
What Can You Ship in a Container to North America?
Common imports
- Consumer electronics, industrial machinery, auto parts, and pharmaceuticals dominate by value. (Tyler Data & Insights)
Restricted / controlled goods
- Hazardous chemicals, automotive airbags, plant or animal products under APHIS/CFIA rules, and certain dual-use technologies require special permits. Always verify latest U.S. CBP, CBSA, or SAT guidelines before booking.
FAQs About Shipping Containers to North America
Under ~15 m³, LCL generally costs less than paying for an entire 20 ft container.
Not legally—but strongly recommended. You can add “all-risk” cover during checkout for a fraction of cargo value.
Many importers prefer DDP for e-commerce parcels and CIF or FOB for full containers, depending on cost-control needs.
Plan at least 3-4 weeks ahead for FCL August–October; air-freight space can go fast in Q4 promotions—reserve 2 weeks in advance. C.H. Robinson