There is no flat price for shipping a box of live shrimp internationally. Air freight is billed on the gross weight of the box (shrimp, water, packaging and heat pack) and the rate depends on the route and the airline. What you can calculate exactly is everything else, and the number that matters is your landed cost per live shrimp at arrival, not per shrimp shipped: (goods + freight + duty + clearance fees) ÷ shrimp alive in the bag when you open the box.
Our boxes hold roughly 1,500 to 5,000 shrimp and start at USD 500, shipped every week. Ask us for a freight estimate to your airport and we will run these numbers with you.
The five costs that make up a landed box
| Cost | How it is set | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Goods | Box price | From USD 500 per box (about 1,500 shrimp at the smallest size) |
| Air freight | Gross weight × route rate, plus surcharges | Varies by airline and route; quoted per destination |
| Import duty | Percentage of goods value, set by your government | For the US, see the duty section below |
| Clearance and handling | Broker, terminal and inspection fees | Quoted by your broker and the destination airport |
| Losses | Shrimp that do not survive the trip | Covered in part by a live arrival warranty; ask for the terms |
Customs and permits for US buyers →
Why freight is the cost you cannot guess
Cargo airlines charge livestock by weight, and that weight includes the water and the packaging, so a heavier box costs more to fly. FAO guidance on air transport of ornamental fish adds three points that still hold:
- Density cuts freight per animal, up to a point. More shrimp per kilo means less freight per shrimp, but pack too tightly and losses rise.
- Connections are the risk. Importers consider transit at connecting airports the weakest point of a consignment, so a direct or short routing is worth paying for.
- Rate type matters. FAO notes that livestock shipped without a special commodity rate can face a variable surcharge. Ask your forwarder whether a live-animal or perishables rate is available.
Airlines also treat live animals with water as wet cargo. Vietnam Airlines’ cargo conditions state that hold temperatures vary and that it cannot guarantee a fixed temperature. That is why we pack with insulation and a heat or cold pack matched to the season and route.
A worked example (illustrative, not a quote)
We cannot publish a single freight price, so here is how the numbers move. These scenarios assume a smallest box of about 1,500 shrimp at USD 500, a 12.5% duty on goods value, and three different freight bills. The freight figures are placeholders to show sensitivity, not our rates.
| Lower freight | Mid freight | Higher freight | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goods | $500.00 | $500.00 | $500.00 |
| Freight (placeholder) | $150.00 | $300.00 | $450.00 |
| Duty at 12.5% of goods | $62.50 | $62.50 | $62.50 |
| Total landed | $712.50 | $862.50 | $1,012.50 |
| Per shrimp shipped (1,500) | $0.48 | $0.58 | $0.68 |
| Per live shrimp if 5% are lost (1,425) | $0.50 | $0.61 | $0.71 |
Clearance and handling fees are not included because they depend on your broker and airport. Two things stand out. Freight can move your cost per shrimp by 40% or more, and a modest loss rate adds around 5% to your real cost per live shrimp.
Duty on live shrimp from Vietnam (US)
Live ornamental shrimp falls under HTS 0301.19.00.00, where the general duty is Free. Anti-dumping duty on Vietnamese shrimp applies to frozen food shrimp and not to this classification. Since 24 July 2026 most Vietnam-origin goods also carry an additional 12.5% Section 301 duty unless they appear on the USTR exemption lists. We have not confirmed whether this line is exempt, and US tariff policy on Vietnam has changed several times since early 2025, so check the rate on your entry date. US duty is generally assessed on the value of the goods rather than on international freight, but confirm that with your broker. Other countries apply their own rules; tell us your destination.
Five ways to lower your cost per live shrimp
- Compare cost per live shrimp, not freight per kilo. The cheapest freight rate is not the cheapest box if the route adds a connection.
- Ask for a written quote with every surcharge, including fuel, security and destination terminal handling.
- Choose the airport for the route. A destination with direct service and live-animal handling beats a closer airport with two connections.
- Combine boxes on one shipment where you can, so you pay one clearance and one broker fee. Two boxes on one pallet is a common pattern.
- Be ready at the terminal. Sort out your collection before the box lands, so the hours the shrimp spend waiting do not add to your losses.
FAQ
How much does it cost to ship live shrimp internationally? It depends on the box weight, route, airline and season. Freight is quoted per destination. Use the worked example above to see how your own quote changes the cost per shrimp, then ask us for an estimate to your airport.
Is freight included in the box price? Box prices start at USD 500 and freight is quoted separately by destination. Confirm the details for your order.
Does duty apply to freight too? In the US, duty is generally assessed on the value of the goods, not international freight. Confirm with your customs broker.
What if some shrimp arrive dead? Every box ships with a live arrival warranty. Ask for the claim terms before you order, and photograph the box and bags when you open them.
How often do you ship? Once a week, worldwide. See how we ship live shrimp internationally.
Want a freight estimate for your airport? WhatsApp +84 778 042 504 · cuongkow10ch@gmail.com · Contact form
Sources: FAO technical guidance on air transport services for ornamental fish; Vietnam Airlines Cargo, live animals acceptance conditions; US HTS schedule, line 0301.19.00.00; VnEconomy, Vietnam Ministry of Industry and Trade and VCCI reporting on the USTR Section 301 determination (24 July 2026). Rates change; verify before you quote a landed cost to your own customers.