The strong relationship between the US and the UK is the essence of their mutual prosperity, security, and cooperation in various fields. The United Kingdom is currently the United States 5th closest trade partner. The top exports from the US to the UK are precious metals and stones, aircraft, mineral fuels, and machinery. As both countries have profitable trade relations, we will take a closer look at shipping from the US to the UK.
Shipping from the US to the UK – methods of shipping
Sea freight from the United States to the United Kingdom
When it comes to huge volumes and heavyweight cargo, sea freight is the best transport method. There are two main options for containerized shipping, the FCL and LCL. Which is more suitable depends on the size of the load, how pressed on time we are and how much money we are willing to spend on shipping. FCL (Full Container Load) means that our goods will fill a whole container. It is usually used for heavy and large cargo. LCL (Less Container Load) means booking only a part of the container, as the rest of it will be booked by other exporters. It is most profitable for smaller shipments. However, this option may be a bit more expensive than the FCL. Moreover, it takes more time to ship.
How long does sea shipping from the US to the UK take?
Sea freight from the US to the UK takes 15-40 days.
Main cargo ports in the United States:
- Port of Los Angeles
- Port of Houston
- Port of New Orleans
- Port of Long Beach
- Port Newark
- Port of Tacoma
- Port of Oakland
Main cargo ports in the United Kingdom:
- Port of Felixstowe
- Port of Southampton
- Port of London
Air freight from the US to the UK
Another option for shipping from the United States to the United Kingdom is air freight. If your cargo is time-sensitive or of high value, air transport would be the best option for you. However, you should remember that it is much more expensive than ocean freight and has more weight limits. Air freight is used mainly for shipping medicine, flower seeds, jewelry, and vehicles.
How long does air freight from the US to the UK take?
Transit time for shipping from the US to the UK is estimated to be around 2-5 working days.
Main cargo airports in the United States:
- Memphis International Airport (MEM)
- Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC)
- Louisville International Airport (SDF)
- Miami International Airport (MIA)
Main cargo airports in the United Kingdom:
- London Heathrow (LHR)
- East Midlands International Airport (EMA)
- London Stansted Airport (STN)
How much does shipping from the US to the UK cost?
The final shipping cost depends on various factors, such as the distance and route, cargo type and weight, and the shipping method. Before choosing the final option, you should consider getting in touch with several freight forwarders. You can do this on ShipHub, where you can find the best operators for you.
If you are interested in shipping from/to other countries, visit our blog section where you will find more articles on this topic.
