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.
Q.Who can help me send air cargo from Latvia to the USA urgently?
A local IATA CASS forwarder like Unicore books the next available uplift from Riga via Frankfurt or Amsterdam, prepares the AWB and EU export declaration the same day, and hands the shipment to the US customs broker on arrival — express door-to-door in 2–3 days.
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Ready to ship Riga → the USA?
Get a competitive quote from Unicore Overseas — Latvia's only dual IATA CASS + DGR certified freight forwarder. We handle logistics, customs and door delivery end to end.