Ocean Freight (FCL)
Full container loads from India and Asia to US West, East and Gulf Coast ports.
- 20', 40' and 40' HC equipment
- Our own NVOCC house bill of lading
- Direct carrier contracts for space
FMC-Licensed NVOCC · C-TPAT Certified · Since 1999
Freight Forwarder & NVOCC for Asia–USA Imports
Ocean FCL/LCL, air freight and US customs clearance from India and Asia, managed by one accountable team.
Licensed & Accountable
Licenses, Certifications and Memberships
Verified credentials matter when your cargo, duties and compliance are on the line. Airlift is an FMC-licensed NVOCC, IATA and C-TPAT certified, and a member of NCBFAA, IAM and LAACA.
NVOCC Licensed
C-TPAT Certified
IATA Certified
NCBFAA Member
IAM Member
LAACA Member0Years in Freight Forwarding
0Countries Served
0Clients Across Industries
0Own Offices in 5 Countries
What We Offer
Freight and US Customs Services for Importers
From the factory in Asia to your US warehouse: ocean, air and trucking, plus the filings and clearance that keep cargo moving at the border.
LCL Consolidation
Ship smaller volumes in a shared container and pay only for the space you use.
- Ideal for trial orders and restocks
- Consolidation at origin hubs
- Deconsolidation and delivery in the US
Air Freight
For time-sensitive cargo: routing, handling and customs coordination in one booking.
- IATA-certified air cargo handling
- Airport-to-door options
- Pre-cleared documentation
Trucking & Drayage
Port and airport drayage, then FTL/LTL trucking and last-mile delivery.
- Container pickup at US terminals
- Planned against free-time windows
- Delivery to DCs and job sites
US Customs Clearance
Entries filed through our licensed customs broker network, coordinated by our team.
- HTS classification support
- Duty, AD/CVD and tariff review
- Partner agency (FDA, USDA) coordination
ISF (10+2) Filing
Importer Security Filing handled in-house and transmitted to US Customs on time.
- Filed before loading at origin
- Data checked against shipper documents
- Reduces risk of CBP penalties
How It Works
How Your Import Moves from Asia to the USA
Five checkpoints where most delays and extra costs happen, and how our team handles each one for you.
1
Booking & Space
We confirm routing, Incoterms and carrier space under our NVOCC contracts.
2
ISF Filing
For ocean cargo, ISF data is filed at least 24 hours before loading at the origin port.
3
Transit Visibility
Milestone and delay alerts from carrier data, visible in one portal.
4
Customs Entry
HTS classification, duties and AD/CVD checks before the vessel arrives.
5
Drayage & Delivery
Container pickup within free time to avoid demurrage, then final delivery.
The Airlift Platform
Experienced People, Backed by Real-Time Technology
Hands-on freight expertise since 1999. Our technology supports our team's judgment; it doesn't replace it.
One Login for Every Shipment
Track shipments, manage documents and see your full shipping history in one place.
Tracking from Origin to Delivery
Follow each shipment from the origin port to its final destination.
Milestone and Delay Alerts
Automatic alerts for key milestones and exceptions, such as demurrage risk on containers left at the port too long.
Available 24/7
Use the platform on desktop or mobile, any time, in any time zone.
Licensed NVOCC, Direct Carrier Access
We issue our own house bills of lading and negotiate directly with carriers, which gives you reliable space, competitive rates and full routing control.
Carrier Data in One Platform
Direct API integrations with major carriers give you real-time data you can act on. No chasing updates, no guessing where your cargo is.
Transparent Pricing
Every cost, timeline and document is set out upfront, so there are no surprise accessorial charges at delivery.
Global Footprint
Our Own Offices at Both Ends of the Trade Lane
Unlike forwarders who rely only on agents, Airlift runs its own teams in the United States, India, Vietnam, Bangladesh and Cambodia, backed by partner networks including WCA members across South and Southeast Asia.
United StatesLos Angeles (Westlake Village, CA) · New Jersey (North Brunswick, NJ)
India · 14 officesChennai, Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, New Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Kolkata, Jaipur, Coimbatore, Gandhidham, Jodhpur
Southeast & South AsiaHo Chi Minh City (Vietnam) · Dhaka (Bangladesh) · Phnom Penh (Cambodia)
US officesAsia officesPartner network
Trade Lane Expertise
Shipping from India and Asia to the USA
Because we negotiate directly with carriers, importers get secured space, competitive rates and routing flexibility, even in peak season. Here are the lanes we move most often:
| Lane | Common origin gateways | Modes |
|---|---|---|
| India → USA | Nhava Sheva (JNPT), Mundra, Chennai, Delhi (air) | FCL · LCL · Air |
| China → USA | Shanghai, Ningbo, Shenzhen (Yantian) | FCL · LCL · Air |
| Vietnam → USA | Ho Chi Minh City (Cat Lai), Hai Phong | FCL · LCL · Air |
| Bangladesh → USA | Chittagong, Dhaka (air) | FCL · LCL · Air |
| Cambodia & Thailand → USA | Sihanoukville, Laem Chabang | FCL · LCL |
US gateways: Los Angeles/Long Beach, New York/New Jersey, Savannah, Houston and other major ports, with inland rail and trucking to your door. Transit times vary by carrier and port pair; check live estimates with our Transit Time Estimator.
Free Shipping Tools
Shipping Tools: Rates, Schedules and Tracking
Compare rates and sailings before you book, then track the container after it ships.
Freight Rate Search
Compare ocean freight rates by port pair to plan your shipment and landed-cost budget.
Search rates →
Vessel Schedules
Check carrier sailings to pick a departure and plan your delivery date with confidence.
Check schedules →
Container Tracking
See where your container is, using data from our direct carrier integrations.
Track a container → Tariff Compliance
Talk to a Compliance Expert Paid IEEPA tariffs? Your entries may qualify for a refund.
Our team reviews entry data, HTS codes and AD/CVD exposure so you pay only the duties you actually owe.
Latest Insights
Import Insights from Our Freight Team
Practical guidance drawn from 25+ years of moving cargo between Asia and the United States.
ISF 10+2: The 24-Hour Rule Every Ocean Importer Must Meet
US Customs requires Importer Security Filing data at least 24 hours before ocean cargo is loaded at the foreign port. Late, missing or inaccurate filings can trigger liquidated damages of up to $5,000 per violation and hold your cargo.
Takeaway: Collect seller, manufacturer and HTS data at booking, not at loading.
FCL vs LCL from India: When Does a Full Container Pay Off?
LCL is priced per cubic meter and suits smaller orders, but it adds consolidation and deconsolidation time. As volume approaches roughly 13–15 CBM, a 20' FCL often becomes the more cost-effective and faster option.
Takeaway: Compare total landed cost, including handling and CFS fees, not just ocean rate.
HTS Classification, AD/CVD and Tariffs: Controlling Your Duty Exposure
A single digit in an HTS code can change your duty rate or pull your product into an antidumping or countervailing duty order. Reviewing classification before shipment is the easiest way to avoid overpaying or penalties.
Takeaway: Audit past entries; refunds and corrections are time-limited.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions from US Importers
Straight answers about how we work, where we operate and how we protect your shipments.
Both. As a licensed NVOCC, Airlift issues its own house bills of lading and negotiates directly with carriers, which gives us more control over space and routing. As a global freight forwarder, we manage the rest of the chain: documentation, customs clearance and trucking.
Our office directory lists teams in the United States, India, Vietnam, Bangladesh and Cambodia, and our agent network covers additional trade lanes. Send us your origin, destination and cargo, and we will help plan the shipment.
Yes. A public tracking link shows high-level updates. For full shipment detail and alerts, log in to the Airlift customer portal.
Customs entries are filed through our licensed broker network. We handle ISF filing, port coordination and import documentation in-house, to reduce delays and compliance risk.
Typically a commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading or air waybill, a customs bond, correct HTS classification and, for ocean cargo, ISF data submitted before loading. Some commodities also need partner government agency approvals such as FDA or USDA.
Under 5 minutes. Once your account is set up, you can request a rate or start tracking right away.
You get proactive updates and one place to manage every shipment, because our team works alongside our tools from booking to delivery. You do not have to chase anyone for status.
Your dedicated account manager, who knows your business, is your main contact. For specific issues, you can also email our operations and documentation teams directly.
Your data is kept separate and is visible only to your authorized team members. We protect it with industry-standard encryption and role-based access controls on hardened cloud infrastructure. You decide what to share with your business partners.
Plan Your Next Shipment with a Freight Expert
Share your origin, destination and cargo details. A specialist who knows your trade lane will recommend the best mode, routing and compliance plan.