Since the year of 2016, exports from Australia to the US have been growing. Between 2019 and 2020, it noted an incredibly high increase from a little above $10 billion to $12.99 billion. Among the most often imported goods from Australian sellers in the US were pearls, precious stones, metals, and coins. Meat took second place, followed by pharmaceutical products and machinery. What is the best method for transporting your goods? We present all you need to know about shipping from Australia to the US.
Shipping from Australia to the US – Means of transport
Sea freight from Australia to the US
Sea transportation is the most popular way of cargo transit among international importers and exporters. They willingly choose this method because it’s the cheapest one and allows transporting loads in containers. However, its low price comes at the expense of the longest transit time. The longevity of sea transport from Australia to the US will vary depending on the chosen route. It can take from about 34 days up to 65 days.
In the case of sea freight, there are two possible ways to ship your cargo: FCL and LCL. FCL (Full Container Load) means full container transport and is most commonly used to deliver larger loads, often undersized. Meanwhile, LCL stands for Less Container Load and is used for general cargo. Choosing LCL means sharing one container with other recipients. Before exporting your goods, check what the main cargo sea ports in Australia and the US are, then choose the best route.
Main cargo seaports in Australia
- Port of Brisbane
- Port of Sydney
- Port of Fremantle
- Port of Melbourne
- Port of Hedland
Main cargo seaports in the US
- Port of Los Angeles
- Port of Long Beach
- Port Newark
- Port of Tacoma
- Port of Oakland
Airfreight from Australia to the US
The second option for shipping from Australia to the US is airfreight. It’s, unarguably, the fastest and the safest way to transport goods. The longevity of transit by plane is between 2 and 8 days. However, one must keep in mind that such a short transit time and safety come with a high price. Airfreight is often used for transporting valuable goods, like vehicles or jewelry. It’s also the best option for delivering products that must quickly reach their destination, e.g., food, flowers, or pharmaceutical products.
Main cargo airports in Australia
- Melbourne Airport (MEL)
- Sydney Airport (SYD)
- Brisbane Airport (BNE)
- Perth Airport (PER)
Main cargo airports in the US
- Memphis International Airport (MEM)
- Louisville International Airport (SDF)
- Miami International Airport (MIA)
- Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Shipping from Australia to the US – Costs
The final cost of shipping from Australia to the US will vary depending on its type, properties, transport method, and the chosen freight operator. Therefore, it’s worth comparing various offers from at least a few different forwarders. You can find forwarders on ShipHub. Through ShipHub, you will quickly receive an in-depth quote on your international shipment. It’s simple. Just fill in the form on the home page as presented in the picture below, and the available forwarders will send you their offers. This way you can choose the most suitable one for you.
Summary
There are two options for shipping from Australia to the US. You can choose between sea freight and air freight. Sea transport will be more suitable for those who attach great importance to low prices and container shipping. It’s also the best method for delivering large cargo. On the other hand, air transport is the best option for exporters and importers who value the short transit time and safety. It’s also the only reasonable way to transit articles with an especially short expiry date. Before making the final decision, check at least a few offers from different forwarders and compare prices and other essential factors.
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