Cambodian exporters of garments, footwear, travel goods, furniture and agricultural products ship large volumes to North America. Here is how cargo typically moves from Cambodia to customers in the United States and Canada.
Routing options
- Sea via Sihanoukville: containers load at Sihanoukville Autonomous Port and usually transship in a regional hub.
- Sea via Vietnam: cargo is trucked from Phnom Penh to Cat Lai or Cai Mep and loaded on mainline services to the US West Coast — often a faster option.
- Air: from Phnom Penh or via Ho Chi Minh City for urgent or high-value cargo.
Customs in the United States
- Importer Security Filing (ISF "10+2") must be submitted before ocean cargo is loaded
- Entry and a customs bond are required for formal imports
- Some products need FDA, CPSC, USDA or other agency approvals
Customs in Canada
- Advance commercial information (ACI eManifest) filed by carriers and forwarders
- Importers need a CRA business number and must use the CBSA CARM portal for accounting and payment
- Non-resident importers can import under DDP terms with the right setup
DDP or DDU?
For buyers without their own broker — such as small retailers and online sellers — DDP is the easiest option: duties and clearance are included in the price. Larger importers often prefer DDU/DAP. Read our DDP vs DDU guide for details.
Typical transit times
Air freight from Cambodia to the US or Canada usually takes about a week door-to-door. Ocean freight to the West Coast is around three to four weeks including the leg to the loading port; East Coast and inland destinations take longer.
Balance Trans connects Cambodia, Vietnam and North America in one service. See DDP/DDU to USA & Canada or request a quote.