Ocean & Air Freight Shipping From Pakistan to the United States
Information and quote from Pakistan to the United States for LCL, FCL and Air shipping
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Shipping from Pakistan to the United States is common for commercial cargo such as textiles/apparel, leather goods, sporting goods, industrial components, and retail inventory replenishment. Because U.S. import requirements and inspection risk can vary by commodity and mode (air vs ocean), the best way to avoid clearance delays is to align your shipping mode, document set, and importer readiness before booking.
On the macro level, bilateral trade remains active. According to the latest official U.S. trade summary, U.S. goods and services trade with Pakistan totaled an estimated $10.1 billion in 2024. Source: USTR — Pakistan trade summary.
This page explains your freight options (ocean, air, and air express), typical transit time ranges, and the customs/documentation basics to plan before you ship from Pakistan to the United States.
Pakistan–US Freight Options at a Glance
Shipping from Pakistan to the United States usually involves choosing between ocean freight and air freight, depending on shipment size, urgency, and cost sensitivity.
- Ocean Freight: Most cost-efficient for large, heavy, or non-urgent cargo
- Air Freight: Faster option for time-sensitive or high-value shipments
- Air Express: Expedited, door-to-door service for parcels and small boxes
Most shippers compare speed, cost, and shipment volume before selecting a transport mode on this trade lane.
What Are the Options for Shipping Freight From Pakistan to the United States?
Shippers moving cargo from Pakistan to the United States generally choose between three freight options:
Ocean Freight From Pakistan to the United States
Ocean freight is the most cost-effective option for large or heavy shipments where transit time is flexible.
- FCL (Full Container Load): Ideal for full container volumes or regular shipments
- LCL (Less than Container Load): Suitable for smaller loads sharing container space
Learn more about container options in Ocean Freight FCL and Ocean Freight LCL.
Air Freight from Pakistan to the United States
Air freight prioritizes speed and reliability and is commonly used for high-value, time-critical, or low-volume cargo. Pricing is typically based on chargeable weight (actual vs volumetric). You can estimate costs using the Air Freight Calculator.
It’s worth noting, however, that air freight can get significantly more expensive than ocean freight. It’s also not able to accommodate all types of goods.
Air Express from Pakistan to the United States
Air Express is designed for parcels, documents, and small shipments that require fast, door-to-door delivery with simplified handling. See how it compares in Air Express Shipping.
Pakistan–US Shipping Mode Comparison
| Factor | Ocean Freight | Air Freight | Air Express |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical transit | 15–50 days | 2–8 business days | 1–5 business days |
| Cost per unit | Lowest | Higher | Highest |
| Shipment size | Large / heavy cargo | Medium to large pallets | Parcels & small boxes |
| Best for | Cost efficiency | Speed + reliability | Urgent deliveries |
| Customs process | Port-based | Airport-based | Courier-led |
How Much Does it Cost to Ship Cargo From Pakistan to the United States?
The cost of shipping cargo from Pakistan to the United States will depend on a couple of factors, which include:
- 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
Use our online freight costs calculator to get an estimate of your shipping costs. The table below also shows the current cost of shipping a standard 20-foot container from Pakistan to the US:
TRADE LANE RATES
Freight Shipping Cost from Pakistan to the United States for a 20-foot Container
How long does it take to ship cargo from Pakistan to the United States?
The duration for shipping goods from Pakistan to the United States is primarily influenced by the international shipping mode chosen. Other factors that can affect this include:
- The season (whether it's peak or low season)
- The directness of the shipment route
- How popular the trade lane is
- Geopolitical instability
- Potential incidents at the ports
Transit times on the Pakistan–US trade lane vary significantly by transport mode:
- Air Freight: typically 2–8 business days, depending on routing, capacity, and customs processing
- Air Express: typically 1–5 business days for parcels and urgent shipments
- Ocean Freight: typically 15–50 days, depending on port pairs, vessel schedules, and inland connections
For lane-specific timing expectations and seasonal variability, use the Transit Time Calculator.
Customs Clearance in Pakistan and the United States
Customs clearance applies to both air and ocean shipments moving between Pakistan and the United States. While processing locations differ (airport vs seaport), core requirements are similar:
- Commercial invoice and packing list
- Correct HS codes and declared values
- Transport document (Air Waybill for air shipments, Bill of Lading for ocean shipments)
- Any required permits/approvals (commodity-dependent)
On the Pakistan side, trade-related licensing/permit and documentation workflows commonly run through the national single-window ecosystem. See Pakistan Single Window (PSW) — official portal.
On the U.S. side, import filings and compliance processes rely on CBP’s trade systems (ACE) and, for vessel cargo, Importer Security Filing (ISF “10+2”) requirements may apply. See CBP — ACE and Automated Systems and CBP — Importer Security Filing (10+2).
For document examples and templates, review Air Freight Shipping Documents and the general Shipping Documents.
Should You Choose Ocean Freight or Air Freight?
Choose air freight when:
- Delivery speed is critical
- Cargo value is high relative to weight
- Stock-outs or production delays must be avoided
Choose ocean freight when:
- Cost optimization is the priority
- Cargo is heavy or bulky
- Transit time flexibility exists
Many businesses use ocean freight for planned inventory movements and air freight (or air express) for urgent or exception shipments on the same trade lane.
Ocean Cargo Port Guide
Cargo ports of origin in Pakistan
Karachi Port & Harbour
The Karachi Port & Harbour is a deep-sea port located along the Arabian Sea coast in Pakistan. It handles 60% of national shipments, receiving 65.25 million tonnes of cargo and 1.56 million TEUs per year.
Gwadar Port
The Gwadar Port is located on the Arabian Sea and is a major player in Pakistan’s trade relationships with other countries. It has a container capacity of 30 million TEUs and a cargo capacity of 11 million tons.
Port Muhammad Bin Qasim
Port Muhammad Bin Qasim is Pakistan’s second-largest port and one of the top 150 ports in the world. It handles 35% of the total maritime trade through Pakistan and has an annual cargo tonnage of 16.6 million tonnes.
Cargo ports of arrival in the United States
Port of Los Angeles
The Port of Los Angeles is hailed as America’s Port, being the biggest port in North America and one of the busiest ports in the world. It has 25 cargo terminals spread across an area of 7,500 acres. It handles over 9 million TEUs per year.
Port of Long Beach
The Port of Long Beach is the second busiest port in North America. It handles over 8 million TEUs per year and boasts 80 cargo berths. It was one of the first ports to adopt eco-friendly policies for its operations.
Port of New York and New Jersey
The Port of New York and New Jersey is the third-largest port in North America. It handles over 7 million TEUs annually, mostly heavyweight containerized cargo like automobiles, raw materials, and consumer products.
Air Freight from Pakistan to the United States: An airport guide
Airports of origin in Pakistan
Islamabad International Airport
The Islamabad International Airport serves the capital city of Pakistan. It is a hub for Pakistan International Airlines and is considered the largest cargo airport in the country.
Airports of arrival in the United States
San Antonio International Airport
The San Antonio International Airport is in Texas, 8 miles north of Downtown San Antonio. It handles over 241 million pounds of cargo annually and caters to cargo airlines Ameriflight, DHL Express, FedEx Express, Martinaire, and UPS Airlines.
Detroit Metro Wayne County Airport
The Detroit Metro Wayne County Airport serves Detroit and its metropolitan area. It’s located in Romulus City, Michigan, United States. The airport handles over 347 million pounds of cargo per year.
Lakeland Linder International Airport
The Lakeland Linder International Airport is located 5 miles southwest of Lakeland, Polk County, Florida. It is a national reliever facility for Tampa International Airport and is home to Amazon Air's southeast regional air cargo hub.
Planning costs? Estimate scenarios using the Freight Cost Calculator.
Shipping by air? Compare options with the Air Freight Calculator.
Shipping by ocean? Explore options in Ocean Freight FCL and Ocean Freight LCL.
Unsure about documents? Review Air Freight Shipping Documents and Shipping Documents.
Need timing estimates? Use the Transit Time Calculator.
About Us
Why Ship From Pakistan to the United States With iContainers?
Why Us?
The process of shipping cargo involves various factors, including the season, the size of the shipment, the shipping method, and the departure and arrival locations.
Drawing on years of industry experience, iContainers provides traditional freight forwarding services enhanced with advanced technology for your convenience. Our digital platform empowers you to manage the entire shipment process—from getting a quote to booking and tracking your cargo—all from your mobile device.
Contact us anytime for a free quote. We are always here to provide you with the information you need, whenever you need it.
Pakistan–US Freight FAQs
Yes. Air freight is significantly faster, while ocean freight is more economical for large shipments.
Yes. Many shippers use ocean freight for planned inventory and air freight (or air express) for urgent or high-priority cargo.
Documentation requirements are similar, but the transport document differs (Air Waybill vs Bill of Lading) and processing locations vary (airport vs seaport).
Most shipments require a commercial invoice and packing list, plus the transport document (AWB for air, B/L for ocean). For templates and examples, review Air Freight Shipping Documents and Shipping Documents.
