Air Freight Riga ⇄ USA — Cargo to New York (JFK) & Los Angeles (LAX)
Unicore ships air cargo both ways between Riga (RIX) and the United States (JFK, LAX, ORD, MIA) in 2–5 days, at an indicative €5.50–9.50 per chargeable kg. We handle US export filing (EEI/AES), IATA dangerous goods, customs and door delivery on both continents.
Author credentials: IATA CASS & IATA DGR certified freight forwarder (Riga, Latvia).
Indicative Prices
| Service | Indicative rate | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Standard air (uFAST) | €5.50–7.50 | per chargeable kg |
| Express air (uEXPRESS) | €7.50–9.50 | per chargeable kg |
| Minimum charge | €150–220 | per shipment |
| US customs / ISF & clearance | $150–350 | per entry |
Prices are indicative for orientation only — request a firm quote. Rates are subject to space and equipment availability, fuel/currency surcharges and season.
Transit Times
| Option | Transit time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Express air | 2–3 days | Priority via FRA/AMS/CDG to US gateway |
| Standard air | 3–5 days | Consolidated airport-to-airport |
Departure frequency: Daily connections via Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Paris and Helsinki to JFK, EWR, ORD, LAX and MIA in both directions; volumetric ratio 1 CBM = 167 kg.
Documents & Customs
Required Export Documents
- Commercial invoice & packing list
- Air Waybill (AWB)
- EU export declaration (EX)
- US Electronic Export Information (EEI/AES) where value > $2,500
- IATA DGR Shipper's Declaration for dangerous goods
Required Import Documents
- Importer of Record with US Customs bond
- ISF 10+2 filing (US imports by sea) / entry summary
- Commercial invoice with HTS codes
- EU EORI number for Riga-side imports
Customs notes: US imports require an Importer of Record and a customs bond; entries under $2,500 may qualify for informal clearance. For the Riga side, EU duty plus 21% VAT applies and an EORI is required. Unicore coordinates both customs jurisdictions on cross-continent shipments.
Major Transport Hubs
Key Facts
- US export shipments over $2,500 require Electronic Export Information (EEI) filed through AES.
- US imports need an Importer of Record and a customs bond; entries under $2,500 may clear informally.
- Main US gateways served: JFK/EWR (New York), ORD (Chicago), LAX (Los Angeles) and MIA (Miami).
- European transit gateways: Frankfurt (FRA), Amsterdam (AMS), Paris (CDG) and Helsinki (HEL).
- Chargeable weight follows the IATA volumetric ratio of 1 m³ = 167 kg.
- Dangerous goods move under IATA DGR; Unicore prepares the Shipper's Declaration in-house.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q.How long does air freight from Latvia to the USA take?
2–3 days for express and 3–5 days for standard airport-to-airport via a European gateway, before US customs clearance and final delivery.
Q.How much does it cost to send air cargo from Riga to the US?
Indicatively €5.50–7.50/kg standard and €7.50–9.50/kg express, with a €150–220 minimum. US customs entry and bond fees are additional and depend on shipment value.
Q.Do you handle US export documentation and DG?
Yes. We file EEI/AES for shipments over $2,500, prepare IATA DGR declarations, and arrange the US Importer of Record and customs bond where you don't have your own.
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