Ocean & Air Freight Shipping From the United States to Australia

The United States and Australia share many values and mutual interests, which makes trade between them flourish. With a long history of collaboration, from the bustling U.S. market to the vibrant ports in Australia, both nations have trade relationships that shape their economies, influence their societies, and forge strong partnerships based on trust and mutual desire for growth.

In 2022, the United States exported $30.6 billion worth of goods to Australia, 15.5% more than the past year. If you want to take advantage of this large-scale trade relationship, this guide will give you all the details you need about your ocean and air freight shipping options.

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

To ship freight from the United States to Australia, you can choose between ocean freight and air freight shipping.

Ocean Freight From the United States to Australia

Ocean freight is the cheapest and most flexible way to ship goods from the United States to Australia. Not only can it accommodate a wide range of cargo types, but it also allows you to choose between two modes of container shipping: less-than-container load (LCL) and full-container load (FCL).

LCL is used by shippers to transport small volumes of cargo. Here, their goods will be consolidated with shipments from other sellers, meaning they only have to pay for the space their goods occupy. This makes LCL economical for small shipments.

FCL, on the other hand, is for those shipping large goods or large cargo volumes. No consolidation is involved—instead, and the shipper rents the space in an entire container for their goods alone. This gives them more control and security for their shipment.

Air Freight from the United States to Australia

Air freight is another way to ship goods from the United States to Australia. It’s the fastest mode of international shipping but also the most expensive. Air freight is also secure because of the stricter airport regulations and processes it follows, guaranteeing safety for high-value goods.

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

The cost of shipping cargo from the United States to Australia will highly depend on the following factors:

• Your choice of ocean (FCL/LCL) or air freight 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

To get an estimate of your shipping cost, use our freight costs calculator online. You will also find the current cost of shipping a standard 20-foot container from the US to Australia in the table below:

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

The transit time for goods shipped from the United States to Australia will depend primarily on your chosen international shipping mode, but it is also affected by:

• The season (peak season or low season) in which you ship
• The shipment's route - direct on not
• The trade lane's popularity
• Geopolitical instability
• Potential incidents at ono of the ports

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

Ocean freight from the United States to Australia can take 15 to 50 days.

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

Air freight from the United States to Australia can take 2 to 8 days.

To get an exact transit time for your shipment use our transit time calculator or click on the link below to register and get a free online quote with the transit time:

Customs Clearance in the United States and Australia

When your U.S. goods arrive in Australia, they will go through the customs clearance process, for which you need to prepare and submit 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

If you need examples of these customs clearance requirements, take a look at our full documents list.

Should You Choose Ocean Freight or Air Freight?

When choosing between ocean and air freight, you must consider your needs, priorities, and cargo requirements.

Ocean Freight

Ocean freight is ideal if you value cost efficiency and flexibility. It can ship almost all types of cargo and offers you two modes of container shipping.

Considerations for LCL Freight Shipping

LCL is suitable for you 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

You may opt for FCL if your cargo 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 you need your shipment to arrive in Australia fast, air freight is your best bet. It only takes a little more than a week to complete, making it ideal for time-sensitive shipments. Air freight is also secure, making it the best option for high-value goods.

Keep in mind, however, that air freight is also the most expensive way to ship goods from the United States to Australia and might not accommodate all cargo types.

Ocean Cargo Port Guide

Cargo ports of origin in the United States

Port of Houston

The Port of Houston is the busiest port for foreign waterborne tonnage. It plays a significant role in the economic growth of the U.S. Gulf Coast. The port can handle many cargo types but primarily uses petroleum and petroleum products.

Port of Virginia

The Port of Virginia is the sixth-biggest port in the United States. As such, it can accommodate the largest container vessels in the world. It’s also famous for its modern infrastructure and efficient cargo-handling processes.

Port of Charleston

The Port of Charleston is the most efficiently operating port in the United States and the most committed to environmentally friendly practices. It’s also a relatively significant port, which supports economic growth in the southern region of the United States.

Cargo ports of arrival in Australia

Port of Brisbane

The Port of Brisbane is Australia's third-biggest port. It is located at the mouth of the Brisbane River and is home to agricultural facilities, including oil refineries, sawmills, shipyards, and rubber factories.

Port of Melbourne

The Port of Melbourne is one of the busiest port facilities in Australia. It is located at the northern tip of the Bay of Philip, Victoria; its city houses the automotive industry and other manufacturing hubs. The port handles more than 79.7 million tonnes of cargo per year.

Port of Darwin

The Port of Darwin, located on the inlet of the Beagle Gulf, serves the northern area of Australia. The port is important to the local economy, supporting the mining and pastoral sectors and handling the shipment of tiles, uranium, bricks, fruits, pearls, LNG, and other container goods.

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

Airports of origin in the United States

Indianapolis International Airport

The Indianapolis International Airport is located seven miles southwest of downtown Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana, United States. It is owned and operated by the Indianapolis Airport Authority. The airport is a hub for FedEx Express, Republic Airways, ATA Airlines, and more.

John F. Kennedy International Airport

The John F. Kennedy International Airport serves the City of New York. It is the busiest among the seven New York Airport System airports and the sixth busiest in the United States. The airport sees a lot of traffic as the busiest international air passenger gateway to North America.

Los Angeles International Airport

The Los Angeles International Airport is the primary international airport serving Los Angeles, California, United States. It also caters to its surrounding metropolitan area and is a hub for Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, American Airlines, and more.

Airports of arrival in Australia

Sydney Airport

Sydney Airport is the 20th-best airport in the world. It is a major hub for air cargo shipments to and from Australia, handling 45% of the national cargo traffic. The airport has a range of freight facilities, including seven cargo terminals.

Perth Airport

The Perth Airport is a gateway for cargo traffic bound for Western Australia. It offers the largest total air cargo export value among all the nation's airports. Every year, it handles over 47.7 thousand metric tonnes of goods.

Melbourne Airport

The Melbourne Airport serves the Melbourne metropolitan area and is one of the most-traveled passenger air routes in the world. It handles more than 30% of Australia’s international air freight market. It ranks the second-largest importer in the nation by value.