European Freight Trade Routes

Our Global Freight Forwarding Network

To expand internationally, you need an established international freight forwarder.

When shipping from Europe to the US, you need a well-connected freight forwarder.

Map showing the different UPS air and ocean ports in Europe

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.

Map showing the different UPS air ports in the US and EU

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.

Map showing the different UPS air and ocean ports in the US

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.

Cargo freight being loaded into an airplane

1. Determine Your Mode

We offer both air and ocean freight services on our transatlantic route. The first step to determine 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.

Woman filling out forms

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.

Palletized freight on a hand truck in a warehouse

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.

UPS Forwarding Hub quoting feature displayed on a tablet

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.

US Government Building

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 Quote

Ask an Expert

Questions about Transatlantic shipping? We'll connect you to people with answers.

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Our six pillars of sustainability encompass holistic capabilities designed for end-to-end management of sustainable supply chains.