Quick answer: cost and transit at a glance
| Route & mode | Indicative cost | Transit (port to port) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| US mainland to San Juan, Ocean FCL 20ft | $1,700–$3,000 | 3–6 days (Jacksonville/Miami) | full loads, domestic freight |
| US mainland to San Juan, Ocean FCL 40ft | $2,400–$4,100 | 3–6 days | high-volume mainland goods |
| US mainland to PR, Ocean LCL | $70–$140 per CBM | 5–9 days | shipments under ~15 CBM |
| US mainland to PR, Air freight | $2.50–$5 per kg | 1–2 days | urgent, high-value, e-commerce |
| China to Puerto Rico, Ocean FCL 40ft | $2,700–$5,400 | 30–40 days (via transshipment) | full container from Asia |
| China to Puerto Rico, Ocean LCL | $90–$165 per CBM | 34–46 days | small Asian orders |
Rates move with fuel and space. Treat the table as planning guidance and request a firm quote.
Shipping from the US mainland to Puerto Rico
This is a domestic lane. Regular sailings run from Jacksonville and Miami to the Port of San Juan, the island's dominant gateway, with transit of a few days. Because the cargo never leaves the US customs territory, there is no CBP import entry and no import duty, which removes the single most time-consuming step that every other Caribbean destination requires.
The trade-off is the Jones Act. Cargo moving between two US points, including the mainland and Puerto Rico, must travel on US-built, US-flagged, US-crewed vessels. That limits the carrier pool and is the main reason ocean rates to San Juan sit above what pure distance would suggest. It is not a barrier, it is a cost input, and a forwarder who books the right Jones Act service keeps it predictable. For full loads, container shipping to Puerto Rico is the standard service; for speed, air freight to Puerto Rico reaches San Juan (SJU) in a day or two.
Shipping from China to Puerto Rico
Asia-origin cargo behaves like any other long-haul ocean move: it transships, typically through Panama or an East Coast hub, before reaching San Juan, so plan for 30 to 40 days on a full container. The important distinction is on arrival. Goods from China are foreign merchandise, so unlike mainland cargo they do face US customs treatment when they enter the US customs zone, and normal US duties can apply by HS code. For smaller Asian orders, LCL shipping from China to Puerto Rico lets you pay by the cubic meter rather than filling a container.
The Port of San Juan and air gateways
- Port of San Juan: the primary commercial port, handling the large majority of the island's containerized cargo across its Puerto Nuevo terminals.
- Ponce (Port of the Americas): a secondary south-coast port, used for select cargo and project freight.
- Luis Muñoz Marín International (SJU): the main air cargo gateway, in San Juan.
For most shippers, San Juan by sea and SJU by air cover every practical need.
Why there is no customs entry (and what still applies)
The headline advantage of Puerto Rico is what you do not do:
- No CBP import entry for mainland-origin cargo. It moves as domestic freight.
- No import duty on US-origin goods entering the territory.
- No export filing for a mainland-to-PR shipment, because it is not an export.
What still applies is on the receiving side. Puerto Rico levies its own sales and use tax (IVU), administered through the territory's SURI system. Businesses receiving goods handle IVU through their local tax obligations; it is not collected at a port of entry the way import duty is elsewhere. The mistake to avoid is budgeting for import duty that does not exist while overlooking the IVU that does.
Documents for a Puerto Rico shipment
A mainland-to-PR domestic move is light on paperwork:
- Commercial invoice or bill of sale
- Packing list
- Bill of lading (ocean) or air waybill (air)
- For vehicles: title and registration documents
China-origin cargo adds the standard import set (commercial invoice with accurate value, HS classification and any commodity permits), because that freight is treated as foreign merchandise on arrival.
Choosing a freight forwarder for Puerto Rico
The value on this lane is not customs brokerage, it is booking the right Jones Act ocean service at a fair rate and running the door-to-door leg cleanly. A forwarder who treats San Juan as the domestic move it is, rather than pricing it like a foreign import, is the one that keeps your landed cost down. Interworld Freight runs ocean freight and air freight to Puerto Rico under one contract, billed in USD, with mainland pickup and island delivery handled end to end.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I pay customs duty when shipping to Puerto Rico?
No, not for US-origin cargo. Puerto Rico is inside the US customs territory, so a mainland-to-PR shipment is domestic freight with no CBP entry and no import duty. Goods arriving from China are foreign merchandise and can face normal US duties.
How long does shipping to Puerto Rico take?
From the US mainland, ocean transit to San Juan is typically 3 to 6 days and air freight lands in 1 to 2 days. From China, expect 30 to 40 days for a full container because the cargo transships before arrival.
What is the Jones Act and how does it affect my shipment?
The Jones Act requires cargo moving between two US points, including the mainland and Puerto Rico, to travel on US-built, US-flagged and US-crewed vessels. It limits the carrier pool and is the main reason ocean rates to San Juan sit above pure distance-based pricing.
Is there sales tax on goods shipped to Puerto Rico?
Yes. Puerto Rico levies its own sales and use tax (IVU), administered through the SURI system, handled by the receiving business rather than collected at a port of entry.
Which port handles cargo in Puerto Rico?
The Port of San Juan handles the large majority of containerized cargo through its Puerto Nuevo terminals. Ponce is a secondary south-coast port, and SJU airport is the main air gateway.
Can I ship LCL from China to Puerto Rico?
Yes. LCL consolidation lets you pay by the cubic meter for shipments smaller than a full container. Transit runs longer than FCL because the freight transships before reaching San Juan.