Ocean & Air Freight Shipping From the United States to Jordan

Trade between the US and Jordan was solidified by a free trade agreement (FTA) signed by the nations in 2001. This made Jordan the first Arab country to enter an FTA with the US. The partnership has opened up numerous opportunities for exchanging goods, helping bilateral trade between Jordan and the US grow steadily. 

In 2022, the US exported $1.33 billion worth of goods to Jordan. The top exports included cars, petroleum gas, and nuts. 

To ship from the US to Jordan with ease, you need to be familiar with the process. This article covers everything from your ocean and air freight shipping options to the cost, transit time, and customs clearance. 

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

Shippers can transport their goods from the US to Jordan in two ways: ocean freight or air freight. 

Ocean Freight From the United States to Jordan

The most common way to ship goods from the US to Jordan is by sea, which is well-liked by shippers because of its affordability and flexibility. Ocean freight can ship almost any type of cargo and even offers shippers two options for container shipping: less-than-container load (LCL) and full-container load (FCL). 

LCL involves the consolidation process, where goods from different sellers are consolidated and shipped together in one container. This means each shipper only has to pay for the space their cargo occupies, making LCL a highly economical choice for small shipments. 

FCL is where the shipper rents the space in an entire container for their goods alone. This gives them more space, control, and security over their cargo. While more expensive than LCL, FCL can be economical if the space inside the container is maximized. This means it’s best used for large shipping volumes or big commodities. 

Air Freight from the United States to Jordan

The other way to ship goods from the US to Jordan is by air. This is the fastest and most secure mode of international transport. An air freight shipment only takes a couple of days to complete, making it preferred by those transporting time-sensitive or perishable cargo. 

High-value goods are often shipped by air as well. With stricter airport regulations and processes, the security of cargo during transit is much better guaranteed with this shipping method. 

However, air freight is not as popular as ocean freight because it’s expensive. It also lacks flexibility, unable to ship cargo for all types, sizes, weights, and volumes. 

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

The cost to ship goods from the US to Jordan differs depending on the following factors: 

• 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

For an accurate estimate of your shipping costs, utilize our freight costs calculator. Below, you'll find the current cost for shipping a standard 20-foot container from the US to Jordan:

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

The transit time for goods shipped from the US to Jordan depends mainly on your selected international shipping mode. Additional factors influencing the transit time are:

• The shipping season (peak or low)
• Direct or indirect shipment route
• The trade lane's popularity
• Geopolitical instability
• Potential incidents at ports

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

Ocean freight from the US to Jordan will take anywhere between 15 to 50 days. 

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

If you ship by air from the US to Jordan, your cargo will arrive within 2 to 8 days. 

For the most accurate estimate, we recommend using our transit time calculator.

Customs Clearance in the United States and Jordan

Goods shipped from the US to Jordan must go through customs clearance when they land in the destination port or airport. This requires that you 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, we have a full documents list you can look at. 

Should You Choose Ocean Freight or Air Freight?

When choosing between ocean and air freight, you need to weigh your options carefully and assess them side by side with your needs, priorities, and cargo requirements. Here are some pointers to consider to help you make the right shipping decision. 

Ocean Freight

Ocean freight is best for those who value affordability and flexibility. It’s not too expensive to ship by sea, but shippers get the benefit of being able to transport anything that they need to get to Jordan. It can handle all cargo types and even offers shippers two options for their container shipments. 

Considerations for LCL Freight Shipping

LCL is best for cargo that 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

FCL might be a better option for you 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 cargo to arrive in Jordan fast, then you should ship by air. Only taking 2-8 days to complete, it’s the best choice for time-sensitive and perishable shipments. It’s also the most secure mode of transport, with strict airport regulations helping guarantee the safety of your cargo during transit. This makes it suitable for high-value goods. 

While air freight is an attractive option, you need to be wary of the costs as it is significantly more expensive than ocean freight. It’s also the least flexible of all shipping options, unable to ship all types of cargo and putting limits on the size, weight, and volume of your shipment. 

Ocean Cargo Port Guide

Cargo ports of origin in the United States

Port of South Louisiana 

The Port of South Louisiana is one of the major ports in the US< handling over 60% of all grain cargo in the Midwest. It is a big and widespread port, spreading over 54 miles, with both ends spanning between New Orleans and Baton Rouge. The port handles over 248.1 million tonnes of cargo per year. 

Port of Corpus Christi

The Port of Corpus Christi is popular in the US because of its energy conservation blueprint. It’s a significant terminal for crude oil and gas shipment, handling over 200 million tonnes of cargo annually. In 2023, the port moved 2.2 million tonnes of agricultural commodities and 16.3 million tonnes of LNG. 

Port of Beaumont

The Port of Beaumont spans 150 square miles and generates an annual revenue of over $2.2 billion in commercial shipping. It serves as an important base for military goods and manufacturing products and is one of the few US ports that can accommodate merchant and defense fleets. 

Cargo ports of arrival in Jordan

Port of Aqaba

The Port of Aqaba is the only port in Jordan. It is owned by the Aqaba Development Corporation. The port boasts 12 terminals operated by 5 different entities. Its annual cargo tonnage is 20 million tonnes. 

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

Airports of origin in the United States

Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport

The Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport is an important cargo airport in the Midwest. It ranks 26th in the US, with a growth rate of 104% in the last decade. The airport is home to Amazon’s central Prime Air hub and DHL’s North American hub. 

Chicago/Rockford International Airport

The Chicago/Rockford International Airport is the 17th largest cargo airport in the US by landed weight. Its growth rate in the last decade was the largest among the top 30 cargo airports in the US, boasting a 244% increase in its cargo operations. The airport is home to UPS’ second-largest North American facility and is also a major hub for Amazon Air. 

Tampa International Airport 

The Tampa International Airport is the second largest cargo airport in the US state of Florida and ranks 26th among all cargo airports in the nation. In the last decade, the airport has seen a 231% growth in its cargo operations. An ongoing capital program invested $69 million to improve its cargo facilities. 

Airports of arrival in Jordan

Queen Alia International Airport

The Queen Alia International Airport is located in Zizya, 30 kilometers south of the capital city of Jordan. It’s the nation’s largest airport, serving as the home base of the country’s national flag carrier, Royal Jordanian Airlines, and is a significant hub for Jordan Aviation. 

King Hussein International Airport

The King Hussein International Airport is located in the Industrial City, a northern suburb of Aqaba in Jordan. Its largest operator is Royal Jordanian, which operates over 10 flights a week to the airport. The airport also has a cargo building and cargo apron.