Ocean & Air Freight Shipping From the United States to Lebanon

The United States and Lebanon have a rich trade history dating back to the early 20th century. The United States is an important import market for Lebanon, importing machinery, pharmaceuticals, vehicles, and agricultural products for the Lebanese market. 

In 2022, 8.9% of Lebanese imports originated in the United States, accounting for $1.7 billion worth of goods. In fact, the U.S. is Lebanon’s largest supplier of imported goods, bringing in a wide range of commodities. 

If you are looking to ship goods from the United States to Lebanon, read this guide to learn everything you need to know about the process—from ocean and air freight shipping options to customs clearance and more. 

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

Ocean and air freight are your options for shipping goods from the United States to Lebanon. 

Ocean Freight From the United States to Lebanon

Ocean freight is the cheapest and most flexible way to ship goods from the United States to Lebanon. It can accommodate any type of cargo, whether big, small, heavy, or light. It even offers shippers two container shipping options: less than container load (LCL) and full container load (FCL). 

LCL involves the consolidation process, in which shippers’ goods are consolidated with consignments from other sellers and shipped together in one container. That way, each shipper only pays for their cargo's space, making LCL economical for small shipments. 

FCL, on the other hand, is where a shipper rents the space in an entire container unit for their goods alone. With more space, control, and security over their shipment, FCL is a good choice for shippers of large and heavyweight items. 

Air Freight from the United States to Lebanon

The other way to ship freight from the United States to Lebanon is by air. Air freight is the fastest mode of international transport, making it suitable for time-sensitive and perishable shipments. Airports have stricter processes and regulations for high-value goods. 

However, it’s not without its cons. Air freight is significantly more expensive than ocean freight. It’s also not as flexible, and it cannot accommodate all types, weights, sizes, and volumes of cargo. 

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

The cost of shipping from the United States to Lebanon will depend 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

To calculate your shipping costs, try our online freight costs calculator. The table below displays the current cost of shipping a standard 20-foot container from the US to Lebanon:

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

Shipping goods from the United States to Lebanon vary in transit time, primarily based on your international shipping mode. Additional factors impacting this include:

• The shipping season (peak or low)
• The directness of the shipment's route
• The popularity of the trade lane
• Geopolitical issues
• Potential incidents at ports

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

Ocean freight from the United States to Lebanon will take 15 to 50 days.

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

Air freight from the United States to Lebanon will take approximately 2 to 8 business days. 

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

Customs Clearance in the United States and Lebanon

When your goods arrive in Lebanon, they will undergo customs clearance. For this, you need 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

We have a full documents list you can take a look at for examples of these customs clearance requirements. 

Should You Choose Ocean Freight or Air Freight?

Your needs, priorities, and cargo requirements should guide your choice between ocean and air freight. Here are some pointers to help you decide. 

Ocean Freight

If you value cost savings and flexibility, you should choose ocean freight. It’s much cheaper than other options and can accommodate any cargo you need to ship to Lebanon. It also allows you to optimize your shipment according to your needs and budget, offering two container shipping options. 

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 might prefer 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 speed is your priority, then there’s no doubt you should ship by air. It only takes 2 to 8 days for air freight shipments from the United States to Lebanon to complete, which makes it suitable for time-sensitive and perishable cargo. 

Shippers of high-value commodities will also like air freight because of its security. With strict airport rules and processes, your cargo is in good hands while in transit. 

However, before settling for this shipping mode, you should be aware of its limitations. First, air freight is the most expensive way to ship cargo worldwide. It’s also unable to accommodate all cargo types, limiting the nature, size, weight, and volume of goods allowed. 

Ocean Cargo Port Guide

Cargo ports of origin in the United States

Port of Virginia

The Port of Virginia is one of the busiest ports on the East Coast. It handles over 3.7 million TEUs and tons of cargo annually. It has an impressive annual growth rate of 2.6%, making it a highly important port in the United States. 

Ports of South Carolina 

The Ports of South Carolina consists of the ports of Georgetown and Charleston. Georgetown is an important port for the region’s economy, providing 10% of all jobs in the state. The port mainly handles containers, handling over 2 million TEUs per year. 

Port of Oakland

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 also ranks among the top three gateways on the West Coast. The port handles 99% of all containerized goods that move through Northern California.

Cargo ports of arrival in Lebanon

Port of Beirut

The Port of Beirut is Lebanon's main port. It’s located in the eastern part of Saint George Bay and is considered one of the largest and busiest ports in the Eastern Mediterranean, handling over 5.8 million tonnes of cargo per year. 

Port of Tripoli

The Port of Tripoli is the second major port in Lebanon, spanning a land area of 3,400,000 square feet. The Government of Lebanon owns it. The seaport boasts eight berths and one wharf and has over 450 vessel arrivals annually. 

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

Airports of origin in the United States

Memphis International Airport

The Memphis International Airport is also called “Superhub”. It’s home to the FedEx global hub, making it an essential airport for express delivery. The airport is located in the central U.S., giving it fast and efficient connections to the rest of the country. 

Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport

The Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport is situated in a unique geographical position. It serves as a vital stopover for trans-Pacific cargo flights, is a key link in the East-West air freight network, and is one of the busiest cargo airports in the world. 

Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport

The Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport is home to the UPS Worldport, hailed as the world's largest automated package handling facility. Because of this, the airport plays a vital role in the global express delivery network. 

Airports of arrival in Lebanon

Rafic Hariri International Airport

The Rafic Hariri International Airport is the only operational airport in Lebanon and is the only airport equipped to handle cargo. It’s located in Beirut, about 9 kilometers from the city center. The airport is a hub for Middle East Airlines, TMA Cargo, Wings of Lebanon, Globe Jet, MenaJet, Lebanese International Airways, and Med Airways.