Overseas Shipping Duration

There is a significant tradeoff to consider when shipping cargo overseas, and that’s time vs. cost. While air freight is the quickest option, typically taking a matter of days for your item to reach its destination, it is also more expensive than the alternatives. Ocean freight, on the other hand, may take a week or up to a month or more, depending on the final drop-off location, but it is also much less expensive.

For example, consider what is involved in shipping a compact wheel loader from the United States to the United Kingdom. This journey takes roughly seven days to complete, and you might be able to either drive the vehicle right onto the ship or place it in a standard 20ft. to 40ft. (6.1m to 12.2m) shipping container, which would speed up the process considerably. However, because multiple forms of transport are often required for overseas shipping, it’s a good idea to expect some delays and give your customer updates along the way.

To remove the guesswork, it helps to hire a freight forwarder that can give you an accurate estimate of shipping time. Fortunately, you can find a vast network of qualified and reliable freight forwarders and transport companies on FR8Star.