Moving goods, supplies, and inventory between the U.S. and Europe presents both opportunities and challenges. An experienced European freight forwarder can help you maximize the upsides while navigating any potential issues, including complying with customs regulations, selecting the right transportation modes, and managing your logistics budget.
Whether you’re looking to expand your supply chain or streamline your current operations, this article will show you what you need to know about European freight forwarding. You’ll also discover how a Europe freight forwarder can simplify your logistics—and keep your cargo moving.
In This Article
- Emerging Opportunities in U.S.–Europe Trade
- Choosing the Right Mode for Europe Freight
Europe Air Freight
Europe Ocean Freight
- Navigating Customs for Europe–U.S. Freight
- Planning Your Next Shipment: Key Tips for U.S.–Europe Freight
Emerging Opportunities in U.S.–Europe Trade
Europe–U.S. Trade at a Glance
$975.9 billion
2024 U.S. total goods trade with the EU
The United States and the European Union maintain a significant trade partnership. In 2024, a total of $975.9 billion in goods moved between the two regions. The U.S. was the largest trade partner for EU exports in 2024 and the second-largest partner for EU imports.
A Unified but Complex Market
As a union of 27 countries, the European Union (EU) offers free movement of goods throughout the market. This allows for relatively simple cross-border freight movement once your goods enter the EU. The EU Customs Union applies the same tariffs to goods no matter the point of entry, and no additional tariffs are applied as items move between EU member countries.
However, each country still has unique local practices that can impact delivery timelines and local distribution. That’s why it’s so essential to find a freight forwarder with deep experience in Europe.
Strategic Infrastructure
Europe has a highly developed transportation network across ocean, air, rail, and over-the-road freight networks. Key ports like Rotterdam (Netherlands), Antwerp-Bruges (Belgium), and Hamburg (Germany) serve as significant gateways for ocean freight. Airports in Frankfurt, Paris, and Amsterdam handle high volumes of international air cargo. Inland rail terminals and a dense road network allow goods to move efficiently across the continent.
These capabilities make Europe an ideal partner for U.S. businesses seeking reliable, scalable international freight solutions—whether for e-commerce, manufacturing supply chains, or just-in-time inventory replenishment.
Choosing the Right Mode for Europe Freight
When shipping freight between the United States and Europe, the transportation mode you choose will have a major impact on your cost, speed, and overall efficiency. As you work with your European freight forwarder, you’ll want to balance cost considerations with your desired timelines.
Europe Air Freight
Cost:
Speed:
Air freight is the fastest way to move goods between Europe and the U.S., with transit times as short as 1–3 days. This speed comes at a premium, so air freight is best for high-value, time-sensitive items.
Air freight is ideal for the following commodities:
- Pharmaceuticals
- Electronics and precision instruments
- High-end accessories, like handbags and jewelry
- Medical and surgical equipment
Major Air Hubs in Europe:
- Frankfurt Airport (FRA), Germany – Regularly handles the highest volume of air cargo in Europe.
- Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG), France – Processes the second-highest cargo volume in the EU and acts as central hub for air cargo moving throughout Western Europe.
- Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS), Netherlands – Taking the EU’s #3 spot in terms of cargo volume, Schiphol handles nearly twice the volume of the next-busiest EU airport, Madrid-Barajas.
Money-Saving Tip: In addition to helping you determine whether air freight is right for your shipment, partnering with a European freight forwarder can help you save money with consolidated air freight solutions. By bundling your air freight with other shippers’ cargo, air freight consols deliver the lowest cost available for air freight at speeds that are usually faster than ocean freight.
Europe Ocean Freight
Cost:
Speed:
Ocean freight will likely be your most cost-effective way to ship goods between the U.S. and Europe. Although it’s slower than air freight, it offers significant savings that fit a wider range of budgets.
If you decide to leverage ocean freight, a Europe freight forwarder can help you plan accurate timelines to keep your operation well-stocked. Below, you’ll find a few estimated transit times that will give you a general idea of U.S.–Europe ocean freight timelines.
Sample Europe–U.S. Transit Times
- Rotterdam → New York: 15–24 days
- Hamburg → Savannah: 10–17 days
- Antwerp → Los Angeles: 32–47 days
Keep in mind: Transit time only covers the vessel’s movement from origin to the destination port. You’ll need to add additional days on either end for freight cut-offs, loading and unloading, processing time, and pick-up/delivery.
Choosing Between Full Container Load (FCL) vs. Less than Container Load (LCL) for Your Ocean Freight Shipments:
- FCL is ideal for larger shipments that can fill an entire container.
- LCL is a cost-effective solution for smaller loads, since LCL shipments share space with other cargo headed to similar destinations. Like air freight consolidations, ocean freight consolidations are handled by European freight forwarders.
For more, read our Complete Guide to International Ocean Freight Shipping.
Major Europe Sea Ports:
- Port of Rotterdam (Netherlands) – Europe’s largest port, acting as a key gateway between Europe and the rest of the world.
- Port of Antwerp-Bruges (Belgium) – A key hub for U.S.–Europe cargo, offering connections to rail, inland barges, and road transportation.
- Port of Hamburg (Germany) – Europe’s third-busiest port, also known as Germany’s “Gateway to the World.”
Navigating Customs for Europe–U.S. Freight
Effective freight forwarding to and from Europe requires careful attention to customs documentation. A misstep can result in delays, penalties, or even seizure of your cargo. An experienced European freight forwarder can help you prepare the correct documentation—with the correct product classification—to keep you compliant and keep your cargo moving.
Customs Documentation for Cargo Entering the U.S.
When shipping from Europe to the U.S., an experienced Europe freight forwarder will be an essential partner for assembling your customs documentation, which typically includes the following:
- Bill of Lading (BOL): Lists all of the shipment’s details including the shipper, consignee, a description of the cargo, the carrier handling the shipment, etc.
- Commercial Invoice: Includes the description, origin of goods, and value, which is used for customs valuation.
- Packing List: Breaks down the contents of each package or pallet.
- Certificate of Origin: Identifies the country of manufacture, used to calculate tariffs.
For shipments arriving to the U.S. via ocean freight, the Import Security Filing (ISF or “10+2”) is also required. Your freight forwarder can facilitate this for you, streamlining the import process.
Customs Documentation for Cargo Entering the European Union
Similarly, importing goods from the U.S. into the EU will also involve assembling documentation for customs clearance. Certain types of cargo will require special documentation, such as import licenses, inspection certificates, CITES certificates, etc. However, by and large, most shipments will need to be accompanied by:
- Single Administrative Document (SAD), the import declaration form for all EU Member States.
- Commercial Invoice, including a description of the goods, their origin, and their value, which will be used by customs to calculate any tariffs or duties.
- Customs Value Declaration (needed when the cargo value exceeds EUR 20,000).
- Proof of Origin identifying the country of origin/manufacture.
- Bill of Lading/Waybill listing all of the shipment’s details including the shipper, consignee, a description of the cargo, the carrier handling the shipment, etc.
- Packing List detailing the contents of the shipment.
Classifying Goods Accurately Using HTS Codes and TARIC Codes
Both the U.S. and the EU use a standardized set of codes to classify goods and apply appropriate tariffs and duties. The U.S. uses the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS),
while the EU uses TARIC, the integrated Tariff of the European Union.
Work with your European freight forwarder to ensure that you include the correct HTS or TARIC code in your documentation. Misclassified cargo can be flagged for further inspection, which will only delay arrival. Additionally, reclassification may result in recalculation of tariffs, taxes, or duties.
Do You Need a Customs Broker for U.S.–Europe Freight?
Customs brokers can assist with streamlining customs procedures for cargo moving between the U.S. and Europe. This includes services like calculating taxes and duties and expediting shipments that get flagged during clearance.
Some European freight forwarders work directly with a customs broker to help facilitate customs clearance. This type of partnership can simplify the import process for you, with your freight forwarder acting as the main point of contact, while they coordinate behind the scenes with a customs broker.
Before you select a European freight forwarder, ask whether they can facilitate customs clearance along with a customs broker. This service can add significant ease to your next Europe–U.S. cargo shipment.
UK Customs Regulations, Post-Brexit
Shipping into the European Union means benefiting from a single customs territory, where goods can move freely between Member States, once cleared at the initial port of entry.
Post-Brexit, shipping to or from the United Kingdom requires a separate customs process. A Europe freight forwarder familiar with both systems can help you navigate each set of regulations efficiently.
Planning Your Next Shipment: Key Tips for U.S.–Europe Freight
Finally, our expert team has three tips to help you make your next Europe–U.S. freight project simpler—and more efficient.
Know Your Incoterms
Incoterms define the responsibilities of buyers and sellers in international transactions, including who pays for freight, insurance, and duties. Choosing the right Incoterm can significantly impact your total landed cost, so it’s important to choose the right Incoterm for your shipment.
Your freight forwarder can assist in choosing the right Incoterm for your budget. Whether you’re the buyer or the seller, your forwarder can help you price out your cost under some of the more common Incoterms, like EXW or FAS.
With those quotes from your forwarder, you’ll be well on your way to finding the Incoterm that will protect your margins and boost your bottom line.
Plan Your Timelines Carefully
Even with Europe’s robust logistics infrastructure, it’s important to plan ahead to keep your operations moving smoothly. When multiple freight modes are involved, calculating door-to-door timelines can get tricky. And, unexpected delays are always possible, especially during peak seasons.
To avoid disruption to your supply chain:
- Leverage your freight forwarder’s expertise to calculate accurate timelines that take all of the pieces into account, including freight cut-offs, pick-up/delivery, loading/unloading, etc.
- If you have urgent freight needs, ask your forwarder to quote out options like air freight or expedited LCL.
Get Clear on All Your Freight Charges
Finally, if you’re new to international freight, you might be surprised by all the line items on your ocean freight invoice—drayage, fuel surcharges, terminal handling charges, wharfage, etc.
A European freight forwarder can help you make sense of all of these fees so you can calculate your margins accurately. Some freight forwarders even bundle all of these charges to create an all-in quote. When you’re buying goods and supplies, these types of quotes can give you a more accurate picture of your landed cost—the total cost of moving goods from door to door—so you can plan your budgets and pricing accordingly.
Looking Ahead: The Future of U.S.–Europe Freight
As global supply chains evolve, Europe continues to position itself as a forward-thinking logistics hub, investing in new technologies, green initiatives, and infrastructure to support modern freight demands. For U.S. businesses, these developments signal new opportunities for faster, more efficient, and more sustainable cargo movement between the U.S. and Europe.
Looking for an experienced European freight forwarder to assist with your EU–U.S. shipments? Approved Freight Forwarders specializes in efficient, cost-effective solutions for international freight, including shipments to and from the EU. To get started, reach out for a complimentary quote from our team.
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