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The United States and the Philippines are known to have a powerful alliance owing to their friendship and mutual economic interests. Over the years, this relationship has continued to evolve, driven by historical ties and shared values.
In 2022, the United States exported $9.3 billion worth of goods to the Philippines, a 15% increase from the last 10 years. The countries share a bilateral trade agreement dating back to 1989, which helps their trade relationship flourish.
If you want to ship from the United States to the Philippines, this guide will cover everything you need to know about your ocean and air freight shipping options and walk you through the process.
To ship freight from the United States to the Philippines, you can choose between ocean freight and air freight.
Ocean freight is the most common way to ship goods from the United States to the Philippines because of its cost efficiency and flexibility. Shippers can transport any type of goods they need to the Philippines through this international shipping mode.
It also offers two modes of container shipping: less-than-container load (LCL) and full-container load (FCL).
LCL is often used by shippers transporting small cargo. It involves the consolidation process, in which goods are consolidated with shipments belonging to other sellers. That way, a shipper only pays for the space their goods occupy, making it an economical choice.
FCL, on the other hand, is used by those transporting large cargo. The shippers rent the space in an entire container for their goods alone, giving them more control and ensuring their cargo's security. FCL can be more expensive than LCL, but you get your money’s worth if you ship large volumes of goods.
Another way to ship goods from the United States to the Philippines is air freight. It’s the fastest but also the most expensive mode of international shipping. Shippers of high-value goods also particularly like air freight because stricter airport regulations can guarantee the security of their cargo.
Air freight, however, cannot accommodate all types of goods. It has restrictions and prohibitions on what you can and cannot ship and how big, heavy, and voluminous your cargo can be.
The shipping cost for cargo shipped from the United States to the Philippines will depend on a couple of factors, including:
If you need an estimate of your shipping cost, you can use our online freight costs calculator. You will also find the current cost of shipping a standard 20-foot container from the US to the Philippines in the table below:
TRADE LANE RATES
The time it takes to ship goods from the United States to the Philippines is largely dependent on the international shipping mode selected. However, the following factors also play a role:
Ocean freight from the United States to the Philippines will take approximately 15 to 50 weeks. This can also depend on the season in which you ship.
Air freight from the United States to the Philippines will take only 2 to 10 business days.
For the most accurate estimate, we recommend using our transit time calculator.
When your US goods arrive in the Philippines, they will go through the Philippines customs authorities. This is called the customs clearance process, which will require you to submit the following paperwork:
We have a full list of documents that you can refer to for examples of customs clearance requirements.
When choosing between ocean freight and air freight for your United States to the Philippines shipment, you must consider your needs, priorities, and cargo requirements.
Ocean freight is the best option if you value cost savings and flexibility. Able to accommodate any type of goods, ocean freight provides you with options for how to ship your cargo, LCL or FCL.
LCL is suitable for you if your cargo is:
FCL is the right mode of ocean freight shipping for you if your cargo is:
If you prioritize completing your shipment from the United States to the Philippines fast, then air freight is your best option. When shipped by air, your shipment only takes a couple of days to complete, and you enjoy more security because of stricter airport processes. Therefore, This international shipping mode is best for time-sensitive, perishable, and high-value goods.
It’s worth noting, however, that air freight is the most expensive way to ship goods from the United States to the Philippines. It also cannot accommodate all types of cargo.
The Port of New Jersey and New York is the largest on the East Coast, handling over 7.4 million containers annually. It ships many cargo types and houses the Port Authority Marine Terminal.
The Port of Long Beach is located in Los Angeles, California. It is the 21st busiest container port in the world, handling 9.3 million TEUs per year. The port is famous for its eco-friendly policies and role as a major trade gateway.
The Port of Savannah is located in the US state of Georgia. It is the largest single-terminal container facility in North America. The port primarily handles goods such as cars, machinery, and agricultural products. It’s an important port that facilitates trade between the US and Asia.
The Port of Manila is the largest in the Philippines by land area and cargo traffic. It has three port harbor regions: the North Harbor, the South Harbor, and the Manila International Container Terminal. The port is the premier domestic and international port in the Philippines.
The Port of Cebu is the largest domestic port in the Philippines, and it is operated and managed by the Cebu Port Authority. It is located in the North Reclamation Area, covering 21 hectares. The port has 4 kilometers of berthing space for cargo ships.
The Port of Subic is one of the largest commercial ports in the Philippines. It used to serve as an erstwhile base for the United States Navy. The port spreads over Olongapo, Zambales, Bataan, and Morong. It can handle 600,000 TEUs per year.
The Perot Field Fort Worth Alliance Airport ranks 23rd on the list of global airports. In recent years, it has experienced a 65% increase in landed weight. It’s the world’s first industrial airport and is home to Amazon’s new regional air hub.
The Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport has seen significant growth in air freight traffic in recent years. In 2019, it raised $36 million to construct a 200,000-square-foot cargo facility.
The Tampa International Airport is the second-largest cargo airport in Florida. In recent years, cargo traffic has grown by 231%. In 2019, the airport invested $69 million in its cargo facilities.
The Ninoy Aquino International Airport, also known as the Manila International Airport, is the leading international airport serving Metro Manila, Philippines. It is 7 kilometers from the south of Manila. The airport is the main gateway to the Philippines.
The Mactan–Cebu International Airport serves the province of Cebu and is the main gateway to the Philippines’ Central Visayas region. It is located in Lapu-Lapu City, Mactan, and is the country’s second-busiest airport.
The Cauayan City Airport serves the general area of Cauayan, Isabela, Philippines. It is one of three commercial airports in the region; the other two are Palanan Airport and Maconacon Airport. The airport is a hub for Sky Pasada.
About Us
Transporting cargo involves numerous factors, including the size of your shipment, the chosen shipping method, and the origin and destination points.
Leveraging years of industry experience, iContainers provides traditional freight forwarding services enhanced with cutting-edge technology for customer convenience. Our digital platform empowers you to manage your entire shipment process—from obtaining a quote and booking your shipment to tracking your cargo and more—all from your mobile device.
Don't hesitate to reach out to us for a free quote at any time. We are always ready to assist you with the information you need, whenever you need it.