iContainers is an online logistics platform optimized to help your business easily access the global trade environment. We digitalize international freight forwarding services to simplify global logistics & facilitate trade.
Both nations have mutual interests in diversifying their trade portfolios, so Ukraine and the United States have a trade relationship that has grown substantially over the years.
Ukraine, one of the largest countries in Europe, offers the U.S. opportunities in sectors such as energy, agriculture, and technology. In particular, the country is a leading global exporter of grain, sunflower oil, and other commodities, helping meet the growing demand for these goods in the United States.
In April 2024 alone, the export of Ukrainian goods to the United States amounted to $88.4 million, with the main commodities being pig iron, pipes, sunflower seeds, juices, and soybeans.
If you are looking to ship cargo from Ukraine to the United States, here’s everything you need to know about your ocean and air freight shipping options.
Your options for shipping freight from Ukraine to the United States are ocean freight and air freight.
Ocean freight is the most budget-friendly way to ship goods from Ukraine to the United States. It’s also quite flexible, able to ship a wide range of commodities, and offers shippers two options for container shipping: less-than-container load (LCL) and full-container load (FCL).
LCL is used by those with small shipments. Here, goods are consolidated with cargo belonging to other shippers, making it cost-effective, as each shipper only pays for the space their goods occupy. But to truly take advantage of LCL's lower price, it’s only ideal for shipping small cargo or small volumes of goods.
FCL, on the other hand, is where a shipper rents the space in an entire container for their goods alone. It can provide good value for money if the items shipped are large in size or volume. It can also get your goods to the United States faster than LCL.
Another way to ship goods from Ukraine to the United States is air freight. This is the fastest way to ship cargo from one nation to another, making it highly preferred by shippers for time-sensitive or perishable goods.
Air freight is also quite secure, thanks to strict airport regulations and processes. However, that does not mean it can accommodate all types of cargo, sizes, weights, and volumes.
The main drawback of air freight is its cost. It can get significantly more expensive than ocean freight, depending on what and how much you’re shipping.
The cost of shipping cargo from Ukraine to the United States will depend on several factors. These include:
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 Ukraine to the United States in the table below:
TRADE LANE RATES
The transit time for goods shipped from Ukraine to the United States is mainly determined by your selected international shipping method. However, other influencing factors include:
Ocean freight from Ukraine to the United States will take roughly 15 to 50 days.
Air freight from Ukraine to the United States takes about 2 to 8 days.
For the most accurate estimate, we recommend using our transit time calculator.
When your Ukrainian goods arrive in the United States, they will go through the customs clearance process, for which you will need to be ready with the following paperwork:
We have a full documents list you can take a look at for examples of each customs clearance requirement.
Your needs, priorities, and cargo requirements come into play when deciding whether to ship by ocean or air. To help you make the right choice, here are some factors you need to consider.
If your priority is shipping on a budget, then go for ocean freight. It doesn’t cost an arm and a leg to ship by sea. This mode of shipment is also great if you need flexibility, as ocean freight can accommodate almost all types of cargo in either LCL or FCL.
You can choose LCL if your cargo is:
FCL might be better for you if your cargo is:
If your ultimate priority is to get your goods from Ukraine to the United States fast, then you should definitely choose air freight. An air freight shipment only takes a little over a week to complete, perfect for shippers of time-sensitive or perishable goods.
Those shipping high-value cargo also prefer it, as air freight’s strict processes and pallets can guarantee cargo security.
However, keep in mind that air freight rates can be significantly higher than ocean freight. Air freight can also not ship all types of goods and limits their size, weight, and volume.
The Port of Chernihiv is located on the Desna River in the regional center of Chernihiv, Oblast, Ukraine. It was founded in 1964 and has served the cargo and passenger traffic area since then. The port is classified as an open joint-stock company.
The Port of Dnipro is located in inland Europe, particularly in Ukraine. It serves the city of Dnipro, handling a wide range of goods for export, including grain, metal, sand, gravel, lumber, and more. It also packages in bulk and on pallets.
The Port of Evpatoria is located on the northern coast of Kalamitiskiy Bay. It is divided into two areas: a cargo-passenger terminal and a ferry-broker cargo terminal. The port can handle general cargo, passenger vessels, and Ro-Ro vessels. It’s also home to a small fishing fleet.
The Port of Los Angeles, nicknamed America’s Port, is the biggest port in North America and the busiest port in the world. It is located in San Pedro Bay, California, and boasts 25 cargo terminals that span 7,500 acres.
The Port of Long Beach is located in Southern California. It’s the second-busiest port in North America, handling over 8 million TEUs annually. The port spans 3,200 acres of land and houses 80 cargo berths that can handle all types of cargo.
The Port of New York and New Jersey is the third-largest port in North America. It can handle over 7 million TEUs and is particularly adept at handling heavyweight containerized cargo. It is home to key cargo terminals.
The Hostomel Airport, also called the Antonov Airport, is an international cargo airport in Ukraine. It is located near Hostomel, a northwestern suburb of Kyiv. The airport is a hub for Antonov Airlines and offers cargo services, including transshipping, storage, border control, and customs.
The Boryspil International Airport is located in Boryspil, 29 kilometers east of Kyiv, the capital city of Ukraine. While 65% of its operations are passenger traffic, it also has cargo operations. It is a hub for Turkish Cargo.
The Philadelphia International Airport serves Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. It is the 21st busiest airport in the U.S. by passenger traffic and a hub for American Airlines, US Airways, PSA Airlines, and more.
The Newark Liberty International Airport is an international airport located between the cities of Newark, Essex County, and Elizabeth, Union County, in New Jersey. It serves as a major gateway to Europe, South America, Asia, and Oceania.
The Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is the primary international airport serving Seattle and its metropolitan area. It ranks 21st among U.S. airports in terms of air cargo traffic and is a hub for Alaska Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Horizon Air, and more.
About Us
Shipping cargo requires considering various factors, such as the season, the size of the cargo, the shipping method, and the origin and destination.
With years of industry expertise, iContainers combines traditional freight forwarding services with advanced technology for your convenience. Our digital platform allows you to oversee your entire shipment—from requesting a quote to booking and tracking your cargo—all from your mobile device.
Feel free to contact us for a free quote at any time. We are always available to provide the information you need.