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The US and the Czech Republic have a history of trade, developing a robust economic relationship over the years. This is characterized by a steady exchange of goods, reflecting the dynamic nature of modern commerce.
In 2022, the trade relationship between the US and the Czech Republic reached record-high levels. U.S. exports were valued at almost $3.8 billion, comprising top commodities like automotive parts, medical equipment, and scientific paraphernalia.
Shipping goods from the US to the Czech Republic requires a thorough understanding of the process. This article discusses everything you need to know to ensure a successful shipment, from your ocean and air freight shipping options to customs clearance and more.
There are two ways to ship freight from the US to the Czech Republic: ocean freight and air freight.
Ocean freight is the most common shipping option because of its cost efficiency and flexibility. It doesn’t cost much to ship cargo by sea, but shippers can ensure that any type of cargo they need to transport will be accommodated.
Ocean freight also offers shippers two options for container shipping: less-than-container load (LCL) and full container load (FCL).
LCL is for those transporting small goods. Their cargo will be consolidated with shipments from other sellers and shipped together in one container. That way, they only need to pay for the space their cargo occupies, making it the most economical option.
FCL, on the other hand, is where a shipper rents the space in an entire container for their goods alone. This gives them more space, control, and security for their shipment. FCL is best used for large, heavy cargo.
Air freight is another way to ship goods from the US to the Czech Republic. It’s the fastest mode of international transport, and you can get your goods to their destination in a matter of days. This makes it highly suitable for time-sensitive and perishable goods. Air freight is also more secure, with strict airport processes and regulations helping guarantee cargo security.
The only drawback of air freight is its cost—it is significantly more expensive than ocean freight. It’s also not as flexible and cannot accommodate all cargo types, sizes, volumes, and weights.
The cost of shipping cargo from the US to the Czech Republic differs depending on the following factors:
To estimate your shipping costs, use our online freight costs calculator. The table below also shows the current cost of shipping a standard 20-foot container from the United States to the Czech Republic:
TRADE LANE RATES
The transit time for goods shipped from the United States to the Czech Republic is mainly determined by your selected international shipping method. However, other influencing factors include:
Ocean freight from the US to the Czech Republic will take approximately 15 to 50 days.
Cargo by air from the US to the Czech Republic takes 2 to 8 days to ship.
For the most accurate estimate, we recommend using our transit time calculator.
When your goods arrive in the Czech Republic, they will be subject to the customs clearance process. This can be a breeze, provided that you have the following requirements ready:
For examples of each customs clearance requirement, refer to our full documents list.
Now, it’s time for you to decide whether to ship via ocean or air freight. Below are pointers to consider.
Ocean freight is the right choice if you value your budget and flexibility. It can accommodate any type of cargo you need to get to the Czech Republic without costing you an arm and a leg. You can also optimize your shipment by choosing between LCL and FCL.
You should ship via LCL if your cargo is:
On the other hand, FCL might be better for you if your cargo is:
If you need your cargo to arrive in the Czech Republic quickly, you should ship by air. It’s best for time-sensitive and perishable cargo, as it only takes 2-8 days to complete. It’s also the most secure way to transport goods, with strict airport rules helping guarantee the security of high-value shipments.
Before settling for air freight, consider your budget, as it can get significantly more expensive than ocean freight. It’s also not as flexible, unable to transport all types of goods and setting limits on your shipment's weight, size, and volume.
The Port of Los Angeles is known as America’s Port. It’s the largest port in North America, spanning 7,500 acres in land area. The port handles 20% of all incoming cargo for the U.S. Every year, it sees a container volume of 10.7 million TEUs.
The Port of Seattle-Tacoma is one of the busiest ports in the US. It handles a large amount of container traffic and has become the third-largest port in terms of cargo handling in America. The port is located on Puget Sound in the state of Washington.
The Port of Oakland is where the first terminals for container ships were built, making it the first important port on the Pacific Coast. It is among the US’ top 3 gateways on the West Coast. The port handles 99% of all containerized goods that move through Northern California.
The Port of Usti Nad Labem handles many cargo types, including palletized goods, agricultural goods, metallic sheets, steel, minerals, etc. It spans 32 hectares in land area and has a 7,400 square meter storage space. It also has the latest port equipment, including mobile and quay cranes.
The Port of Praha Radotin is on the left coast of the Bernouka River in the Czech Republic. It is a busy commercial port that transports a wide range of commodities, from construction equipment and substrate to gravel, stone, and sand.
The Port of Kolin is located on the left coast of the Elbe River in the Czech Republic. It lies in a critical industrial zone, making it an important port for the shipment of automobile units and parts. The port houses a transshipment yard and boasts a fully automated surveillance system.
The Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport is the US’ third-largest cargo airport by landed weight. It handles over 17 billion pounds of cargo per year. The airport houses the UPS Worldport, which spans 5.2 million square feet and can process 115 packages per second.
The Chicago/Rockford International Airport is the 17th largest cargo airport in the United States. Its landed cargo weight increased by 244% in the last decade, the largest rise among the top 30 cargo airports in the nation. The airport houses UPS's second-largest North American facility and is a major hub for Amazon Air.
The Los Angeles International Airport is a top hub for US trade. It ranks fourth in the country for landed cargo weight. In recent years, the port has nearly doubled the cargo it handles. Its top import commodities are electronics, importing over $10 billion worth of cell phones per year.
The Václav Havel Airport Prague, formerly known as the Prague Ruzyně International Airport, is located in the capital of the Czech Republic. It opened to replace the Kbely Airport. It is a hub for Smartwings, Wizz Air, Czech Airlines, ABS Jets, and more.
The Brno-Tuřany Airport is located in Brno, Czech Republic, about 7.5 kilometers from the city center. It’s right on the edge of the Austerlitz battlefield. The airport is a hub for Van Air Europe, Seagle Air, Czech Connect Airlines, Škoda Air, and Euro Cargo Air.
The Ostrava Leos Janáček Airport, also known as the Leoš Janáček Airport Ostrava, is located in the city of Ostrava in the Czech Republic. It is a major economic and industrial center, serving as a point of entry to northern Moravia and Czech Silesia.
About Us
Shipping cargo involves multiple factors, including the season, the shipment size, the shipping method, and the origin and destination points.
Leveraging years of industry experience, iContainers offers traditional freight forwarding services with modern technological enhancements for customer convenience. Our digital platform lets you manage your shipment—from requesting a quote to booking and tracking your cargo—all from your mobile device.
Contact us anytime for a free quote. We are always ready to give you the information you need.