Shipping freight from the continental United States to Puerto Rico is more straightforward than most businesses expect — but it does come with rules, timelines, and tax considerations that are unique to the island. Whether you’re moving a few pallets or a full container of retail inventory, this guide covers everything you need to know to get your cargo to Puerto Rico on time and without surprises.

Is Shipping to Puerto Rico Considered International?

This is one of the most common questions businesses ask when shipping to Puerto Rico for the first time — and the answer might surprise you.
Because Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory, shipping between the mainland and the island is not considered international. That means:
  • No U.S. Customs inspection for domestic cargo
  • No import duties or tariffs on your goods
  • USPS treats Puerto Rico as a domestic destination
However, there is one important tax to be aware of: Hacienda. The Puerto Rico Department of Treasury (Departamento de Hacienda) collects an excise tax on incoming goods. This is different from a customs duty and is paid through the Puerto Rico government’s online tax portal, SURI. More on that below.

How Does Freight Get to Puerto Rico?

All commercial freight heading to Puerto Rico arrives by one of two modes: ocean freight or air freight.

Ocean Freight

Ocean freight is the most common and cost-effective option for shipping goods from the U.S. mainland to Puerto Rico. There are two primary service types:

LCL (Less-than-Container Load): You share container space with other shippers and pay only for the space your cargo occupies. Ideal for smaller shipments, partial pallet loads, or businesses that don’t have enough volume to fill an entire container.

FCL (Full Container Load): You book the entire container. Better per-unit cost for high-volume shippers and provides more control over loading and unloading.

Container types available for Puerto Rico ocean freight include 20-foot standard, 40-foot standard and high-cube, 45-foot high-cube, 53-foot high-cube, and flat-rack containers for oversized or heavy cargo like machinery and construction equipment.

Air Freight

Air freight is available for time-critical shipments when ocean transit timelines don’t work. While it comes at a higher cost, it’s the fastest way to move cargo to Puerto Rico — especially for smaller, high-value shipments where speed matters more than price.

Transit Times: How Long Does It Take to Ship to Puerto Rico?

Port-to-port transit times to San Juan, Puerto Rico vary depending on where your freight originates. Here’s a general overview:
Origin City Port-to-Port Transit Notes
Jacksonville, FL ~3 days Shortest route — most cost-effective for East Coast shippers
Miami, FL ~4 days Frequent sailings, ideal for South Florida businesses
New York, NY ~7 days Good option for Northeast shippers
Chicago, IL ~10 days Midwest freight via East Coast port connections
Los Angeles, CA ~18 days West Coast shippers should plan lead times accordingly
Important caveat: these are port-to-port transit times only. You’ll need to add time for:
  • Freight receiving cut-offs at the origin port (typically a few days before the sail date)
  • Port unloading and availability at San Juan
  • Hacienda clearance before final delivery
A good rule of thumb is to add three to five business days on each end of the port-to-port transit time for a more realistic door-to-door estimate. Contact us for exact timelines based on your specific origin and cargo type.
The Jones Act - Hawaii, Guam, Puerto Rico and Alaska

What Is the Jones Act — and How Does It Affect Shipping to Puerto Rico?

The Jones Act (formally the Merchant Marine Act of 1920) is a federal law that requires all cargo transported between U.S. ports to be carried on vessels that are U.S.-built, U.S.-owned, and U.S.-operated.
Puerto Rico is a Jones Act territory — along with Hawaii, Alaska, and Guam — which means all ocean freight moving between the U.S. mainland and Puerto Rico must comply with this law.
In practical terms, this affects:
  • Which shipping lines can carry your cargo
  • The available sailing schedule and capacity
  • The overall cost of ocean freight to the island
Working with a freight forwarder that has deep experience in Jones Act lanes is critical. Approved Freight Forwarders specializes in these Jones Act lanes — Puerto Rico, Hawaii, Alaska, and Guam — we know which carriers operate on the routes you need, when sailings are available, and how to navigate every complexity that comes with Jones Act compliance. You don’t have to figure it out. We already have.

Understanding Hacienda: Puerto Rico’s Excise Tax

This is where many first-time shippers to Puerto Rico get caught off guard.
Before freight can be delivered in Puerto Rico, it must be cleared through Hacienda — the Puerto Rico Department of Treasury. This process involves paying an excise tax specific to the commodity you’re importing. The tax is paid through SURI, Puerto Rico’s online tax portal.
Key things to know about Hacienda clearance:
  • It applies to all incoming commercial shipments, regardless of origin
  • The excise tax rate varies by commodity type
  • Required documentation typically includes a bill of lading, a commercial invoice, and an Electronic Export Information (EEI) filing if any commodity’s declared value exceeds $2,500
  • Clearance must happen before your freight can be delivered — delays here mean your cargo sits at the port
Our team handles all Hacienda documentation for you — preparing everything correctly the first time so your shipment clears fast and you’re not racking up port storage fees while you wait. It’s one of the things our customers say makes the biggest difference. Ready to ship? Get a free quote today.

 

What Does It Cost to Ship to Puerto Rico?

Freight costs to Puerto Rico depend on several variables:

Origin location
(where the freight is picked up)

Freight dimensions and weight

Freight class

(for LCL shipments)

Shipping mode
 (LCL, FCL, or air)

Container size
(for FCL)

Any additional services needed — warehousing, transloading, delivery

As a general benchmark, ocean LCL rates will almost always be significantly lower than air freight for equivalent cargo. FCL rates offer the best economies of scale when you have enough volume to fill a container.
The most accurate way to get pricing is to request a quote and we will provide a comprehensive, all-in rate.

What Can Be Shipped to Puerto Rico?

The short answer: almost anything. Businesses across industries rely on regular freight service to Puerto Rico for:

Consumer goods and retail inventory

Food and beverage products

Automotive parts and vehicles

Construction materials and heavy equipment

Office furniture and equipment

Medical devices and healthcare supplies

Hotel, restaurant, and hospitality FF&E

Hazardous materials (with proper documentation and compliance)

If you have an unusual or oversized shipment, don’t assume it can’t be done. We can find a way to move it — whether that means flat-rack containers, specialized handling, or a custom logistics plan. Get a free quote to get started.

What to Look for in a Puerto Rico Freight Forwarder

Not every freight company has meaningful experience in Jones Act markets. When you’re evaluating partners for shipping from the US to Puerto Rico, look for:
  • Proven Jones Act lane experience — they should know the carriers, the schedules, and the compliance requirements cold
  • In-house Hacienda expertise — documentation errors at this stage cause costly delays
  • Pickup and delivery capabilities across the continental U.S. — your forwarder should be able to handle the full door-to-door move, not just the ocean leg
  • Access to multiple weekly sailings — more flexibility means better scheduling for your business
  • Warehousing and consolidation options — can they hold your freight if you need to coordinate multiple shipments?
  • Real-time shipment visibility — a customer portal that lets you track your freight without playing phone tag

Why Businesses Choose Approved Freight Forwarders for Puerto Rico

Approved Freight Forwarders has been moving cargo in Jones Act lanes since 1991. Puerto Rico isn’t a new market for us — it’s one of our core specialties, with a dedicated team who know the nuances of Hacienda clearance, Jones Act compliance, and carrier scheduling inside and out.
Here’s what that means for your business:
  • Door-to-door pickup and delivery anywhere in the continental U.S. — we handle the full move
  • Access to all available ocean freight sail dates to keep your supply chain moving
  • LCL and FCL ocean freight, plus air freight options when you need speed
  • Mainland warehousing to reduce costs and streamline inventory
  • Expert Hacienda clearance support so your cargo doesn’t sit at the port
  • Online portal with real-time shipment tracking and reporting
And our customers notice. One recently wrote: “Griselda has been a pleasure to work with. She has been so kind and patient with helping us navigate the ins-and-outs of our upcoming shipment to Puerto Rico.” That kind of hands-on support is what sets us apart from transactional freight brokers.

Frequently Asked Questions About Puerto Rico Freight

Domestic shipments from U.S. locations do not go through U.S. Customs. However, all cargo arriving in Puerto Rico must be cleared through Hacienda, which collects a local excise tax. International shipments arriving in Puerto Rico must clear U.S. Customs first, then go through Hacienda.

Yes, with the proper documentation and regulatory compliance. Working with an experienced forwarder is especially important for hazmat shipments to ensure all requirements are met before the freight moves

For commercial freight, LCL ocean freight is almost always the most cost-effective option for smaller loads. FCL becomes more economical as your volume increases. Air freight is the most expensive mode but offers the fastest transit.

Yes, if the declared value of any single commodity in your shipment exceeds $2,500, you’ll need to file Electronic Export Information (EEI) through the Automated Export System (AES). Your freight forwarder can handle this as part of the documentation process.

Yes. We can arrange pickup from any location in the continental United States and manage the entire move — from your door, through the origin port, across the water, and to final delivery in Puerto Rico.

Ready to Ship from the U.S. to Puerto Rico?

Getting a quote is the fastest way to find out exactly what your shipment will cost and how quickly it can move. Our Puerto Rico freight team will walk you through your options, handle the documentation, and keep your cargo moving from start to finish.

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