Ocean Freight USA
LOGISTICS SUPPORT
Ludmila
Freight Forwarding Specialist
OCEAN FREIGHT SOLUTIONS
Ocean Freight from USA: Full Coverage, Every Route, Door to Door
Ocean freight from the USA with GreenLine Global covers every major trade corridor, connecting all principal US gateways to Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and the Americas. We ship FCL (Full Container Load), LCL (Less than Container Load), Reefer and temperature-controlled cargo, IMO-classified hazardous goods, and out-of-gauge project cargo, managed under one roof from US collection to destination delivery. Sea freight from the United States requires precise export compliance from day one: AES/EEI filing, export controls screening, Schedule B classification, and destination documentation all before your container is loaded.
We operate on both a port-to-port and a door-to-door basis, with US export clearance and origin collection across all 50 states managed directly by our team, plus destination clearance and delivery through our overseas agent network. Established in Seattle in 2008 and FMC-licensed, GreenLine combines a US-anchored operating base with a global ocean freight network spanning ports in Tallinn, Bangkok, Shanghai, Rotterdam, and beyond. Every quote is transparent and itemised, with costs broken down upfront. For complex or heavy cargo, our project cargo and big machinery teams handle what standard freight forwarders cannot.
How it works
Your Export from the USA: From Quote to Delivery
Every ocean freight export from the USA follows a structured process. GreenLine manages each step, covering routing, documentation, export compliance, and destination delivery.
Quote, Route Planning & Booking
Tell us your US collection point, cargo type, weight, and destination country. We assess the most cost-efficient routing, whether direct service or transshipment, across our carrier network and confirm FCL or LCL allocation within 24 hours. Every quote is itemised: ocean freight, AES/EEI filing, origin charges, export clearance, and delivery.
Collection, Loading & Documentation
We arrange origin collection, container stuffing or LCL consolidation at the US load port, and prepare all export documentation: Bill of Lading, packing list, commercial invoice, and certificate of origin where required. EEI is filed through AES before vessel departure, and documentation is prepared for the destination country's import process. For IMO-classified goods, we handle dangerous goods declarations and IMDG compliance.
Ocean Transit & Real-Time Tracking
Your cargo moves on scheduled liner services across the Pacific, Atlantic, or Gulf routes. We provide real-time container tracking from the US load port to destination arrival, with proactive alerts on vessel delays or transshipment changes. Our team monitors AES and carrier filings and works to address any issues as early as possible.
Destination Clearance & Door-to-Door Delivery
On arrival at the destination port, our overseas agents handle import clearance, duty processing, and any examination under local rules. Once released, we arrange drayage and final delivery to your consignee's door. One partner. One invoice. End-to-end coordination from US collection to destination delivery.
Our ocean freight services from the USA
Container Shipping from USA: Every Mode, Every Cargo Type
No two exports from the USA are identical. GreenLine matches the right shipping mode to your cargo type, volume, and destination requirements, whether you need a single container or a multi-port project movement.
FCL: Full Container Load
20ft · 40ft · 40ft HC
FCL gives you exclusive use of a standard 20ft, 40ft, or 40ft High Cube container for exports from the USA. Your cargo is the only cargo in the box: no co-loading and less handling. Best for shipments above 15 CBM or high-value goods that benefit from a dedicated container with minimal handling. We handle container booking, stuffing supervision, seal verification, and issuance of the original Bill of Lading.
LCL: Less than Container Load
Pay per CBM · Flexible · Cost-Efficient
LCL consolidates your cargo with other shippers in a shared container, and you pay only for the space you use. Ideal for shipments under 15 CBM where booking a full container is not economical. GreenLine operates regular LCL consolidations from US ports to Europe, Asia, and beyond. We handle consolidation at the US CFS, deconsolidation at the destination CFS, and delivery to your consignee. Transit times are slightly longer than FCL due to CFS handling at both ends.
Project Cargo & Out-of-Gauge
OOG · Flat Rack · Open Top · Break Bulk
Oversized machinery, industrial equipment, and structural components that exceed standard container dimensions require specialist handling at every stage. GreenLine coordinates flat rack, open top, and break bulk solutions from the USA, including lashing and securing engineering, port crane operations, and heavy lift handling at the US load port. Our project cargo team designs the full move plan for complex or multi-piece shipments.
Door-to-Door & Customs Clearance
AES/EEI · Export Clearance · Final Mile
For exporters who want a single point of responsibility, GreenLine delivers full door-to-door ocean freight from the USA. We manage AES/EEI filing, US export clearance, documentation, and restricted-party screening, then coordinate with overseas agents for destination import clearance and delivery to your consignee's door. Our export desk operates at all major US load ports.
Reefer: Temperature-Controlled
Chilled · Frozen · Controlled Atmosphere
Perishables, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and other temperature-sensitive cargo require cold chain management from US collection to destination delivery. GreenLine books refrigerated containers with pre-trip inspection, monitors temperature logs during transit, and coordinates priority terminal handling. We advise on destination cold-chain and health requirements for food and pharma cargo, and arrange cold store availability at destination where required.
Hazardous Cargo: IMO / IMDG
Classes 1-9 · DG Declaration · Full Compliance
Shipping dangerous goods from the USA by sea requires full IMDG compliance and US DOT (Department of Transportation) compliance on the inland leg to the load port. GreenLine prepares dangerous goods declarations, segregation plans, and Emergency Response information for all IMO classes. We coordinate with carriers on DG acceptance and prepare correct labelling, placarding, and documentation before loading. Strict carrier space limitations apply, so early booking is essential.
From US collection to destination
US Export Handling & Destination Delivery
US export does not stop at the port gate. GreenLine manages every step, from origin collection and export clearance to destination arrival and final delivery, through our US export desk and overseas agent network.
Primary US ports of loading
- Los Angeles / Long Beach, CA, US West Coast gateway, Asia-bound lanes
- New York / New Jersey, East Coast hub, Europe-bound and transshipment routes
- Savannah, GA, Southeast US export gateway
- Houston, TX, Gulf Coast, energy sector, project cargo
- Seattle / Tacoma, WA, GreenLine HQ port, Pacific Northwest
- Miami, FL, Southeast, Latin America transshipment
US export clearance
Our export desk files Electronic Export Information (EEI) via AES, confirms the correct Schedule B classification, and screens all parties against US restricted-party and sanctions lists. Where a commodity is controlled, we advise on the ECCN and any export licence requirement, and prepare documentation for the destination country's import process.
Origin haulage & destination delivery
GreenLine coordinates collection and FTL or LTL haulage from your premises anywhere across all 50 US states to the load port. At the far end, our overseas agents handle import clearance and final delivery in the destination country. For heavy and oversized cargo, including industrial machinery and equipment, we arrange permitted loads, escort vehicles, and specialised handling.
US export compliance
Requirements for Exporting Cargo from the USA by Sea
Exporting by sea from the United States involves several mandatory regulatory steps. Getting these right before the vessel departs avoids costly delays, penalties, and holds. GreenLine manages the below on your behalf.
AES / EEI Filing
The Electronic Export Information (EEI) must be filed through the Automated Export System (AES) for most exports over $2,500 per Schedule B, or where an export licence applies. Filing is required before the vessel departs, and errors or omissions can carry penalties. GreenLine files AES/EEI for every ocean export we manage, included in our standard service.
Export Licensing & ECCN
Some goods require an export licence depending on their ECCN under the Export Administration Regulations (EAR), or ITAR for defence articles. Most commodities ship under licence exceptions or as EAR99, but classification must be confirmed first. GreenLine helps determine whether your commodity needs a licence and advises on the applicable exception.
Required Export Documentation
Standard documentation for ocean exports from the USA includes the Bill of Lading, commercial invoice, detailed packing list, and certificate of origin where the destination requires it. Depending on destination and commodity, additional documents may apply: ISPM-15 fumigation certificates for wood packaging, USDA phytosanitary certificates for agricultural goods, and destination-specific certificates of conformity.
Schedule B & Destination Duties
Every product exported from the USA is classified under a Schedule B number for AES filing, which maps to the destination country's import tariff. GreenLine helps confirm the correct Schedule B code before shipment and advises on the duties, VAT, and import taxes your buyer will face at destination, plus any preferential treatment under free-trade agreements.
Restricted Party & Sanctions Screening
Every US export must be screened against US restricted-party and sanctions lists, including the BIS Entity List and the OFAC SDN list, as well as any embargo on the destination country. GreenLine screens all parties to the transaction and flags any licence or denial concern before booking.
Export Controls & Destination Compliance
US exports may be subject to controls under the EAR (Commerce/BIS) or, for defence items, ITAR (State Department), plus OFAC sanctions on certain countries and parties. GreenLine advises on ECCN classification, licence requirements, and destination import rules so your shipment clears both US export and destination import. Our team tracks changing controls so your planning reflects current requirements.
What we move
Cargo Types & Ocean Freight Specialisms from the USA
GreenLine ships standard and specialist cargo from the USA by sea, from palletised general freight to complex out-of-gauge machinery. Proper documentation and US export compliance are built into every move.
General & Palletised Cargo
Consumer goods, retail products, and manufactured items on standard euro or block pallets. FCL and LCL options available depending on volume. GreenLine advises on destination import packing standards and ISPM-15 wood packaging rules.
Heavy Machinery & Industrial Equipment
CNC machines, presses, compressors, and industrial plant shipped via flat rack or open top containers, or as break bulk where OOG dimensions require it. GreenLine handles lashing engineering, sea fastening, and US load-port heavy lift coordination. See our big machinery service.
Dangerous Goods (IMO Classes 1-9)
Chemicals, adhesives, lithium batteries, flammables, and other IMO-classified goods require IMDG-compliant packing, labelling, and a full DG declaration. GreenLine coordinates DG acceptance with carriers and supports US DOT compliance on the inland leg. Carrier restrictions apply, so early booking is essential.
Perishables & Temperature-Sensitive
Fresh and frozen food, pharmaceuticals, and controlled-temperature chemicals. GreenLine books reefer containers with pre-trip inspection, monitors temperature data throughout the voyage, and coordinates destination health certification and cold store availability at the US load port.
E-Commerce & Retail Wholesale
High-volume consumer goods, seasonal stock replenishment, and multi-SKU retail shipments from the USA to overseas fulfilment centres and marketplaces. GreenLine handles LCL consolidation and FCL booking with destination 3PL coordination. Destination marketplace compliance guidance available on request.
Agricultural & Food Products
Grains, processed foods, beverages, and agricultural commodities for export from the USA. Shipments may require USDA export certification, phytosanitary certificates, and fumigation depending on the destination. GreenLine manages export certification requirements and coordinates with USDA and FSIS processes where required.
Project & Out-of-Gauge Cargo
Wind turbine components, mining equipment, structural steel, and energy sector loads that exceed standard container dimensions. Our project cargo team designs the full transport plan including stowage engineering, multi-port coordination, and US inland heavy haul routing to the load port with permitted load permits.
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Destination countries & corridors
Where We Ship From the USA
GreenLine operates established ocean freight corridors from the USA to Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and the Americas. Select your destination region below for route-specific transit times, port options, and pricing guidance.
Not seeing your destination? GreenLine ships from the USA to over 40 countries across 4 continents. Contact us with your destination port and cargo details and we will quote the right solution.
Industries we serve
Ocean Freight from USA Across Every Sector
US export regulations, port processes, and destination duty structures vary significantly by industry. GreenLine brings sector-specific knowledge to every ocean shipment, not just generic container booking.
Credentials & compliance
Operating to the Highest US Ocean Freight Standards Since 2008
Memberships & licences
FAQS
Ocean Freight to USA Questions
Transit times vary by US load port and destination. From the US East Coast (New York, Savannah) to Europe expect 10 to 18 days. From the US West Coast (Los Angeles, Long Beach) to Asia expect 14 to 22 days. From the US East Coast to Asia via All-Water service expect 24 to 30 days. Add time for destination import clearance and final delivery. GreenLine provides transit estimates with every quote and sends proactive alerts if vessel schedules change. Contact sales@greenlineglobal.com for a route-specific estimate.
FCL (Full Container Load) means you book an entire 20ft or 40ft container exclusively for your cargo. LCL (Less than Container Load) means your goods are consolidated with other shippers in a shared container, and you pay only for the cubic meters or weight you use. FCL is faster and involves less cargo handling, ideal for shipments above 15 CBM or high-value, security-sensitive goods. LCL is more cost-efficient for smaller volumes and suits regular replenishment shipments. GreenLine advises the correct option based on your cargo volume, transit priority, and budget.
EEI (Electronic Export Information) is filed through the Automated Export System (AES) and is required for most ocean exports from the USA valued over $2,500 per Schedule B number, or where an export licence applies. It must be filed before the vessel departs. The filing captures the exporter, consignee, Schedule B classification, value, and destination. Errors or omissions can delay departure and carry penalties. GreenLine files AES/EEI for every ocean export we manage, included as standard in our service, not a bolt-on charge
Yes. GreenLine provides full door-to-door ocean freight from the USA covering origin collection, AES/EEI export filing, US export clearance, ocean transit, and coordination with overseas agents for destination import clearance and final delivery to your consignee. We work with licensed partners at every major US load port and in destination markets. For heavy or out-of-gauge cargo we arrange permitted loads and specialist handling.
US exports are governed mainly by the Export Administration Regulations (EAR), administered by the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), and by OFAC sanctions on certain countries and parties. Most goods ship as EAR99 or under a licence exception, but some commodities need an export licence based on their ECCN, and defence articles fall under ITAR. Every transaction should be screened against US restricted-party lists. GreenLine helps confirm your ECCN, screens the parties, and advises on any licence requirement, plus the import duties and rules your buyer will face at destination.