European Freight Trade Routes
Your job is to run your business, our job is to help you grow it. Here are the basics to know if you are trying to ship goods from Europe to the United States.
Ship on the UPS® Forwarding HubOpen the link in a new windowSpeak to an ExpertOur Global Freight Forwarding Network
To expand internationally, you need an established international freight forwarder.
14,000+
Origins and Destinations Served
600+
Airports
200+
Markets Serviced
300+
Air and Ocean Operating Facilities Worldwide
Our Transatlantic Network
When shipping from Europe to the US, you need a well-connected freight forwarder.
Our Europe Network
Our Europe air freight network is well-established throughout the EU with 60 total freight forwarding facilities. There are four air freight gateways conveniently located in Frankfurt, Milan, London and Amsterdam as well as four main hubs that UPS Airlines operates out of in Cologne, East Midlands (UK), Stansted (UK) and Paris.
Our UPS Tranatlantic Air Freight Capabilities
Let us make the connections for you. With cargo airports and gatways conveniently located all over the EU and the US, shipping freight from Europe to the United States just got a little easier.
Our US Network
Our United States air freight has 114 freight forwarding facilities as well as six air freight gateways all over the country in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, Miami and New York. But that's not it - we also have more than 2,852,386 square meters of warehouse space for your freight.
Solutions For Any Mode to Any Place
No matter your business, we can help you deliver faster, work smarter, serve customers better and compete globally like never before. Our network of freight operations can help overcome the obstacles that stand between you and the opportunities for greater growth.
Air Freight
If you’re shipping air freight, it’s critical. Our transatlantic air freight services offer day-specific, door-to-door and port-to-port service to countries throughout Europe and North America.
Explore Air FreightOcean Freight
Every day we move ocean freight across 2,300+ lanes, so you can feel confident about expanding your business from Europe to the US using UPS ocean freight.
Explore Ocean FreightCustoms Brokerage
We have over 100 years of customs brokerage experience, so if you have questions about processes like ICS2, we have the answers for you.
Explore Customs BrokerageCoyote Logistics
Whether you’re moving goods across town or across borders, trust our reliable less-than-truckload and truckload services to be on time, on budget.
Explore Coyote Ground FreightOpen the link in a new windowLogistics & Distribution
We’ll help you find the right warehousing solutions, so you can manage growth, keep up with new technology and reduce cost and complexity.
Explore Logistics SolutionsA Step-by-Step Guide to Freight Shipping from the UK to the US
1. Determine Your Mode
We offer both air and ocean freight services on our transatlantic route. The first step to deremine which mode is best for you, is to figure out what is more important to your business - cost or time. Air freight is going to be more expensive compared to ocean freight, but it is the quicker form of transportation. If cost is your main priority, ocean freight may be the better mode for your business. You can get and compare air and ocean freight quotes on the UPS Forwarding Hub.
2. Fill Out the Forms
Common forms for transatlantic shipments into the US include a Commercial Invoice, Shipper’s Letter of Instruction for Air and Shipper’s Letter of Instruction for Ocean and Customs Import POAs. All of these documents can be found on our shipping documents page.
3. Pack Your Freight
You can choose from a variety of packaging materials, such as paper, foam or bubble wrap padding, loose packing, edge boards, corrosion protection and shrink wrapping. If you’re shipment will be palletized, decide if you’ll use plastic or wooden pallets.
4. Schedule Your Shipment
You can easily schedule your air and ocean shipments through the UPS Forwarding Hub. Our all-in-one freight shipping portal that allows you to get quotes and book your freight shipments in as little as three clicks.
5. Clearing Customs in the US
When your shipment arrives at the destination air gateway or port, it is processed for customs clearance, which can take up to three days. Your shipment only has to clear customs in the country of its final destination. Shipments arriving in the United States are only subject to duty when the products are valued at more than $800, which is called the De Minimis threshold.
Ready to Book Your Transatlantic Shipment?
Get an Air or Ocean Quote
On our UPS® Forwarding Hub, get and compare quotes, book shipments and track them end-to-end on one modern, easy-to-navigate dashboard.
Start with a QuoteOpen the link in a new window
Ask an Expert
Questions about Transatlantic shipping? We'll connect you to people with answers.
Ask an ExpertWork With a Provider Who Prioritizes Sustainability
Our six pillars of sustainability encompass holistic capabilities designed for end-to-end management of sustainable supply chains.
-
Carbon Reporting
Door-to-door Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emission transparency of the transport chain
-
Supply Chain Optimization
Solutions designed & implemented to maximize supply chain efficiency
-
Alternative Fuels
Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), Biofuel & Hydrated Vegetable Oil (HVO) powered transport services
-
Circular Economy
End-to-end solutions to ensure highest levels of business sustainability
-
Sustainable Packaging
Customizable packaging solutions tailored with the latest innovations
-
Green Centers
Automated warehousing operations
