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Spain and the United States share a dynamic trade relationship rooted in a long history of diplomatic and economic exchanges. In 2021, Spain exported $17.8 billion worth of goods to Spain, a 6.02% annualized increase rate from 1995.
This bilateral trade relationship covers various goods and services, from agricultural products to automobiles and technology. Aside from helping foster mutual economic growth, the economic ties between Spain and the United States also facilitate innovation, job creation, and sustainable development for both nations.
Spain's and the US's trade relationship is expected to continue to adapt to global economic landscapes, making it a profitable venture for shippers and exporters. If you want to take advantage of the dynamic partnership between Spain and the US, here’s your complete guide to your ocean and air freight shipping options.
Shipping goods from Spain to the United States can be done via ocean or air freight.
Ocean freight is the most cost-efficient way to ship goods from Spain to the United States. It also offers shippers flexibility, allowing them to accommodate various cargo types. Ocean freight provides two modes of container shipping: less-than-container load (LCL) and full-container load (FCL).
In LCL, goods are consolidated with shipments belonging to other sellers. That way, a shipper only pays for the space their goods occupy. This is more suitable for those shipping small volumes of goods.
FCL, on the other hand, is best for shippers transporting larger volumes of cargo. They rent the space in an entire container for their shipment alone, allowing them more control and security. However, it is more expensive than LCL.
Air freight is the fastest transport from Spain to the United States. It’s also the most secure and suitable for high-value, perishable, and time-sensitive shipments. However, it’s worth noting that air freight can get expensive and cannot accommodate all types of goods.
The cost of shipping cargo from Spain to the United States will depend on the following factors:
Use our online freight costs calculator to get an estimate of your shipping costs. The table below provides the current cost for shipping a standard 20-foot container from Spain to the US:
TRADE LANE RATES
The transit time for goods shipped from Spain to the United States is mainly determined by your selected international shipping method. However, other influencing factors include:
Goods shipped from Spain arrive in the United States in 15 to 50 days.
Air freight from Spain to the United States takes approximately 2-8 days, depending on the season.
For the most accurate estimate, we recommend using our transit time calculator.
Once your goods reach the United States, they will undergo a formal customs clearance process. Customs authorities will review the details of your shipment, which requires that you have the following documents ready:
Learn more about these customs clearance documents in our full documents list.
Choosing between ocean freight and air freight should be done considering your needs, budget, priorities, and cargo requirements.
Ocean freight is best for shippers who prioritize cost savings and flexibility. Unlike air freight, which restricts what can be shipped, ocean freight can accommodate all sorts of cargo without breaking the bank.
If you opt for air freight, you must choose between LCL or FCL shipping.
LCL is suitable for you if your cargo is:
FCL may be the ocean freight mode of shipping for you if your cargo is:
If your priority is getting your product from Spain to the United States fast, then air freight is the way to go. Because it only takes a couple of days for your cargo to reach its destination, air freight is most suitable for time-sensitive and perishable shipments. It also works great with high-value goods because of stricter airport regulations that can guarantee the security of your cargo.
Please note, however, that air freight is the most expensive way to ship goods from Spain to the United States. It’s also unable to accommodate all types of cargo, so make sure to check its restricted and prohibited goods before booking your air freight shipment.
The Port of Valencia is one of the world’s busiest cargo ports and is considered the biggest sea freight facility in Spain. It has multiple storage areas covering more than one kilometer of land and a quayside stretching over 12 kilometers.
The Port of Barcelona is one of the largest ports in the world, part of the top 50 cargo ports ranked by size. It’s also a fast-growing container port in Europe. It boasts two terminals for processing Spain’s exports.
The Port of Bilbao is located in Bilbao Abra Bay in northern Spain, 15 kilometers from the city center. It’s the best port for moving goods from Bilbao, Burgos, Zaragoza, Leon, and even Madrid.
The Port of Miami is one of the biggest freight hubs in the United States. It’s also hailed as the US’ ninth-largest container port. It’s the best port of destination for goods that are bound for Florida, the Caribbean, and Latin America.
The Port of Savannah has North America's largest containerized goods terminal – and developments are still underway to make it larger and more efficient. Currently, an ongoing $2 billion investment program seeks to increase the port’s water depth, allowing vessels with heavier loads to enter and utilize the ports.
The Port of Seattle is the fifth-largest container gateway in America. It’s also being upgraded to increase its container capacity and allow two 18,000 TEU vessels to dock and use the port simultaneously. This port is ideal for shipments arriving for businesses in Northwestern US.
The Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport, simply known as the Madrid-Barajas Airport, is located in central Spain's industrial heartland. It is home to over 125 cargo companies and has direct flights to the United States.
The Barcelona El Prat Josep Tarradellas Airport is located in Barcelona, making it most suitable for cargo coming from the areas of Sain Boi, Llobregat, Viladecans, and Catalonia. It boasts three terminals and three runways.
The Bilbao Airport is located 9 kilometers north of Bilbao, Loiu, Biscay. It is considered the largest airport in Basque County and Nothern Spain. This airport is preferred by shippers shipping from Northern Spain, Southwest France, and the Basque region.
The Dallas Fort Worth International Airport is an important cargo hub, handling over 60% of all air cargo in Texas. Its international flights connect with over 190 destinations in the United States.
The Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta is one of the busiest passenger airports in the world, but it also ranks 42nd in the list of the busiest cargo airports. It has 5 runways and good road and rail connections—these, however, are prone to congestion, causing delays in shipments.
The Cleveland Hopkins International Airport spans 695 hectares and boasts three runways. It’s the main airport serving northern and central USA. While the airport has no direct flights from Spain, goods originating from Spain can be routed to Cleveland via indirect services.
About Us
Transporting cargo depends on several variables, including the season, the size of your shipment, the shipping method, and the origin and destination points.
Drawing on years of expertise, iContainers provides traditional freight forwarding services with a technological edge for your convenience. Our digital platform gives you control over every step of your shipment—from getting a quote to booking and tracking your cargo—from your mobile device.
Reach out to us anytime for a free quote. We are always here to assist you with the information you need.