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The trade relationship between the United States and Malaysia is evolving and strongly influencing Southeast Asia's economic pulse. In 2022, the U.S. exported $18.2 billion worth of goods to Malaysia, up 20% from the previous year. The goods involved in this exchange are vast, from electronics to energy.
In this article, we explore the trade axis between the two countries and give you a complete guide on shipping from the U.S. to Malaysia. Learn your ocean and air freight shipping options and more.
You can ship goods from the United States to Malaysia using ocean freight or air freight.
Ocean freight is the most popular way to transport goods from the U.S. to Malaysia because of its cost efficiency and flexibility. It can ship any type of cargo and even offers shippers two modes of container shipping: less-than-container load (LCL) and full-container load (FCL).
LCL is typically used for small shipments because it involves the consolidation process. Goods are consolidated with cargo belonging to other sellers. That way, each shipper only pays for the space their goods occupy, allowing a cheaper shipment of smaller goods.
FCL, on the other hand, is used by shippers to transport large volumes of cargo. They rent the space in an entire container for their goods alone. This gives them control and security for their shipment, and it can make more economic sense if they have large shipments.
Air freight is another way to ship from the United States to Malaysia. Considered the fastest mode of international shipping, it’s best for time-sensitive or perishable goods or otherwise shippers who just want to get their cargo to Malaysia quickly.
Air freight also beats ocean freight in terms of security. With stricter airport processes and rules, it can transport high-value goods and guarantee their safety in transit.
It’s worth noting, however, that air freight is expensive and may not be able to accommodate all types of cargo.
The cost of shipping goods from the U.S. to Malaysia will depend on several factors. These include:
Determine your shipping costs by using our online freight costs calculator. The table below shows the current cost of shipping a standard 20-foot container from the US to Malaysia:
TRADE LANE RATES
The transit time for goods shipped from United States to Malaysia is mainly determined by your selected international shipping method. However, other influencing factors include:
Ocean freight from the United States to Malaysia will take 15 to 50 days.
Air freight from the United States to Malaysia will take 2-8 days.
For the most accurate estimate, we recommend using our transit time calculator.
When your goods arrive at a Malaysian port or airport, they will go through the customs clearance process. This requires you to prepare and submit the following documents:
We have a full documents list you can peruse for examples of these requirements.
When deciding between ocean and air freight for your shipment, you have to consider your needs, priorities, and the requirements of your cargo. Here are some pointers to help you make the right choice.
Ocean freight is ideal for budget-conscious shippers who need to get goods to Malaysia without a specific timeline. It can accommodate almost any type of goods and offers two container shipping options.
LCL might be the ocean freight shipping mode for you if your cargo is:
You should consider FCL if your cargo is:
If your priority is to get your goods to Malaysia fast, then you should absolutely use air freight. It’s best for time-sensitive or perishable shipments, as well as high-value goods, thanks to stricter airport regulations.
Before deciding on this mode of international shipping, though, make sure to crunch your budget. Air freight can get expensive. It also cannot ship all cargo types, sizes, and volumes.
The Port of Los Angeles is known as “America’s Port.” It is the largest port in North America and serves as a gateway for cargo coming into the U.S. It has 25 cargo terminals to accommodate goods from its major Southeast Asian trading partners.
The Port of New Jersey and New York is the largest port on the East Coast. It handles over 7.4 million containers every year and houses the Port Authority Marine Terminal, which is important for the region’s economic activity.
The Port of Long Beach is one of the United States’ major trade gateways, ranking as the 21st busiest container port in the world. It is an important channel for U.S. trade with Asian countries. The port handles many cargo types and is popular for its eco-friendly practices.
The Port of Johor is located at the southern tip of the Malaysian Peninsula. It is an important maritime gateway, serving as the go-to port for industries in the industrial region of Pasir Gudang. This multipurpose port handles all types of cargo and boasts 24 berths spanning 1000 acres.
The Port of Penang is located between Penang Island and the western shores of the Malaysian Peninsula. It is Malaysia’s third-busiest container handling facility, handling over 33.9 million tonnes of cargo annually. Its main import commodities include petroleum, steel, iron, rice, and sugar.
The Port of Bintulu is located near the city of Bentulu. It is a major maritime gateway to Eastern Malaysia. Because of its location near LNG manufacturing plants, 76% of the cargo handled at this port is liquid bulk. It handles around 348,000 TEUs per year.
The Tampa International Airport is the second-largest cargo airport in the U.S. state of Florida. Over the last couple of years, there has seen a 231% increase in the number of cargo handled. Because of this increase in traffic, $69 million dollars was invested to improve the airport’s cargo facilities.
The Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport is seeing tremendous growth in air freight traffic, with a 190% increase in cargo handled in recent years. It recently received $36 million in financing for the construction of a 200,000-square-foot cargo facility.
The Perot Field Fort Worth Alliance Airport ranks 23rd among all airports in the United States. It is the world’s first industrial airport and is part of the Alliance, Texas industrial complex. The airport houses Amazon’s new regional air hub.
The Penang International Airport is located in George Town, Penang, Malaysia. It is in the southeastern tip of Penang Island, about 16 kilometers south of the city center. The airport is a hub for Capital A, Malaysia Airlines, Firefly, and MASkargo.
The Kuala Lumpur International Airport is the main international airport of Malaysia. It is located in the district of Sepang in Selangor, 45 kilometers south of Kuala Lumpur. This airport is the largest and busiest in the country, handling more than 660,000 tonnes of cargo per year.
The Kota Kinabalu International Airport is located in Kota Kinabalu, which is the state capital of Sabah, Malaysia. The airport is 8 kilometers southwest of the city center. It serves as a hub for Capital A, Malaysia Airlines, Firefly, Batik Air Malaysia, and more.
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Shipping cargo involves many factors, such as the season, the shipment size, the shipping method, and the origin and destination.
With extensive industry experience, iContainers offers traditional freight forwarding services enhanced with modern technology for customer convenience. Our digital platform lets you manage your entire shipment—from requesting a quote to booking and tracking your cargo—all from your mobile device.
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