The transatlantic is the lane most importers underestimate. It is shorter than Asia-US, better served, and operationally simpler, and it still catches people out, because the commercial and documentary conventions are different and the volume economics do not work the way Asia volumes do.
Transit indications are typical ranges, not quotes. Schedules and rates move constantly. Use the transit time estimator for planning and a real quote for commitment.
The gateways
| Origin region | Main load ports | Usual US entry |
|---|---|---|
| North Europe | Rotterdam, Antwerp-Bruges, Hamburg, Bremerhaven, Felixstowe | New York/New Jersey, Norfolk, Charleston, Savannah |
| Western Europe | Le Havre, Zeebrugge | US East Coast |
| Mediterranean | Valencia, Barcelona, Genoa, Piraeus | East Coast, occasionally Gulf |
| Air | Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Paris CDG, London Heathrow, Luxembourg | Chicago, JFK, Atlanta, Los Angeles |
North Europe to the US East Coast is the core routing and the most frequently served. Mediterranean origins generally run longer and with fewer direct calls, so check sailing frequency before assuming a Med port is equivalent.
Ocean, air, or neither
The transatlantic has a genuine middle ground that Asia lanes lack, because the distance is short enough that the ocean option is measured in a couple of weeks rather than a month or more:
- Ocean FCL: the default above roughly 15 CBM. Compare with LCL using the cost comparison tool.
- Ocean LCL: well developed on this lane, with frequent consolidations from the major North European hubs.
- Air: proportionally more common than on Asia lanes, because the freight premium over ocean is smaller in absolute terms for high-value European goods. See sea vs air.
Where transatlantic imports differ from Asia imports
- Incoterms are used differently. European sellers quote EXW and FCA far more readily than Asian suppliers, who default to FOB. EXW puts export clearance and origin haulage on you. Make sure your forwarder is instructed to handle it. See DDP vs DAP vs FOB.
- VAT appears on your paperwork. European invoices may show VAT that should be zero-rated on export. If VAT is charged, it is not a customs cost. It is a supplier billing question, and it should not be on the invoice you present to CBP as the transaction value.
- Preferential duty is a live question. Origin claims matter here in a way they rarely do from Asia. Check whether an agreement applies and whether the exporter can issue a statement on origin, per rules of origin.
- ISPM 15 is universal but well-observed. European pallets are usually compliant, but always confirm the stamp. See export packaging.
- Weight limits bind sooner. European road weight limits and US road limits differ, so a container loaded to European road capacity may be undeliverable in the US. Check both, trailer types and weight limits.
Carrier choice shows up more on this lane
The transatlantic is served by all three major alliances plus independents, and schedule reliability between them differs sharply, by tens of percentage points, not a few. On a two-week ocean transit, a week of delay is a much larger proportional problem than it is on a five-week Asia routing. It is worth asking which alliance and which service you are actually booked on: see carrier alliances in 2026.
Northern European ports have also had a congested 2026, so build buffer at the origin end and confirm current berth waiting on your specific service rather than relying on published transit.
Documentation
The standard set applies: commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading or air waybill, and any origin documentation. Two additions worth planning for:
- An EU exporter registration or statement on origin where you intend to claim preference.
- Dual-use screening on machinery, electronics and instruments. European exports are subject to their own control regime, and your supplier may need a licence. See restricted party screening and export controls.
The full baseline is in the import documentation checklist.
Finding a forwarder
You generally want representation at the European end, because that is where collection, export clearance and any origin documentation happen. Forwarders listed on CargoLinked by country: United Kingdom (923), Spain (230), Germany (216), Poland (202), Italy (201), Netherlands (160), Belgium (104) and France (82).
Post your transatlantic request and compare quotes on the same scope.
