Ocean & Air Freight Shipping From Nepal to the United States

Nepal is uniquely situated between two of Asia’s biggest economic giants, China and India. This location gives it an advantage as a strategic trade partner for the United States. Boasting diverse resources, Nepal presents plenty of opportunities for American businesses and investors. 

And the U.S. has taken advantage of that. In 2022, Nepal exported $132 million worth of goods to the United States, a 22.9% increase from the previous year. If you want to ship your goods from Nepal to the U.S., here’s your complete guide to your ocean and air freight shipping options. 

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

Ocean freight and air freight are your options for shipping cargo from Nepal to the United States. 

Ocean Freight From Nepal to the United States

Ocean freight is the cheapest way to ship goods from Nepal to the United States. It’s also the most flexible, capable of shipping any type of cargo you are looking to transport. Other than that, ocean freight offers you two options for container shipping: less than container load (LCL) and full container load (FCL). 

LCL involves the consolidation process. Here, your goods are consolidated with shipments from other sellers and shipped together in one container. That way, you only have to pay for the space your goods occupy, making it highly economical. 

FCL, on the other hand, is where a shipper rents the space in an entire container for their goods alone. While it sounds expensive, most shippers can maximize the space in the container with large volumes of goods, making it an economical choice for those with large shipping needs. 

Air Freight from Nepal to the United States

The other way you can ship goods from Nepal to the United States is by air. Air freight is the fastest and most secure way of transporting goods abroad, which makes it highly preferred by shippers of high-value, time-sensitive, and perishable goods. 

The only con is its price. Air freight can get significantly more expensive than ocean freight. Some shippers may also see its strict regulations as limiting, as air freight does not allow any type of cargo to be onboard a plane. 

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

The cost of shipping goods from Nepal to the United States will depend on the following factors: 

• 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 Nepal to the United States in the table below:

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

Shipping goods from Nepal to the United States varies in transit time, primarily based on the international shipping mode you choose. Additional factors impacting this include:

• The shipping season (peak or low)
• The directness of the shipment's route
• The popularity of the trade lane
• Geopolitical issues
• Potential incidents at ports

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

Ocean freight from Nepal to the United States will take 15-50 days.

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

Air freight from Nepal to the United States is much faster, taking between 2-8 business days. 

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

Customs Clearance in Nepal and the United States

Once your goods arrive in the United States, they must go through customs clearance. Here, customs authorities will screen and inspect your goods. You’ll need to present 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.’

Browse our full documents list to see examples of each customs clearance document. 

Should You Choose Ocean Freight or Air Freight?

When choosing between ocean and air freight, you need to consider your needs, priorities, and cargo requirements. Here are some pointers to help you decide. 

Ocean Freight

Ocean freight is your best bet if you’re looking for a budget-friendly and flexible way to ship goods from Nepal to the United States. Able to accommodate all types of cargo, it does not limit the type of goods you can transport. It’s also able to offer two options for container shipping, which further allows you to optimize your shipment according to your needs and budget. 

Considerations for LCL Freight Shipping

You should choose 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

If LCL doesn’t seem like a good fit, you might consider FCL, which is best for cargo that 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 speed is your priority, we recommend shipping by air. Air freight is the fastest way to get your goods from Nepal to the United States. It’s ideal for time-sensitive and perishable goods, as well as high-value cargo that needs to be transported securely. Air freight is known to be secure because of strict airport regulations and processes. 

Before shipping by air, consider the costs involved, as air freight can be very expensive. You should also check whether or not the airline can accommodate your shipment by browsing the list of restricted and prohibited goods for air freight. 

Ocean Cargo Port Guide

Cargo ports of origin in Nepal

Bhairahawa Dry Port

The Bhairahawa Dry Port is one of five dry ports in Nepal. It is located at Siddharthanagar, about 5 kilometers north of the country's southern border. It ranks second in terms of the overall volume of trade in Nepal. 

Birgunj Dry Port

The Birgunj Dry Port is the first port constructed in Nepal. It connects Indian seaports in Kolkata and Vishakhapatnam and provides railway access via Raxaul in India. It can handle all types of traffic, from containers to break bulk. 

Kathmandu Port

The Kathmandu Port, also known as the Katmandu or the Kantipur Port, is a dry port in the northwestern part of the Kathmandu Valley in Nepal. The port connects Nepal to India and China and can handle 25 tonnes of goods per hour. 

Cargo ports of arrival in the United States

Port of South Louisiana

The Port of South Louisiana has a long history, with its cargo operations dating back to the 1940s. It handles 60% of all grain cargo in the Midwest and sees 238 million metric tonnes of cargo per year. The port is also a major player in the oil trade, handling 25% of all U.S. oil cargo. 

Port of New Orleans

The Port of New Orleans is one of the busiest ports in the United States, calling 36,000 vessels annually. It connects 14,500 miles of trading waterways to the American coast and handles over 92.2 million metric tonnes of cargo per year. 

Port of Houston

The Port of Houston is the 10th busiest port facility in the world and is America’s busiest foreign tonnage handling port. It sees 284.9 million metric tonnes of cargo movement per year. In fact, it handles 2.5 times more cargo than all ports in the United States. 

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

Airports of origin in Nepal

Tribhuvan International Airport

The Tribhuvan International Airport is Nepal's only international gateway for goods traffic by air. It is located in Kathmandu, Bagmati. The airport connects Nepal to 40 destinations in 17 countries and is a hub for Nepal Airlines, Buddha Air, Yeti Airlines, and more. 

Airports of arrival in the United States

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is a civil-military airport located 3 miles east of downtown Phoenix, Arizona. It handles over 350,000 metric tonnes of cargo annually and is a hub for American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, SkyWest Airlines, and more. 

Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport

The Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport is located in Anne Arundel County in Maryland. It’s 9 miles south of downtown Baltimore and 30 miles northeast of Washington. The airport handles over 240,000 tonnes of cargo per year. 

Orlando International Airport

Orlando International Airport is located 6 miles southeast of Downtown Orlando in the state of Florida. It is the busiest airport in the state and the 7th busiest in the United States. The airport serves as a hub for Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines, JetBlue, Silver Airways, and more.