Easy Shipping From Global, Save CostWhen importing from China, an efficient shipping solution can help ship your cargo smoothly to the US or worldwide. Before you start shipping from China to the US, it is important to explore each transportation method because delivery times and shipping costs vary depending on the shipping method, weight, and shipment size.
In this post, we will comprehensively cover import options to the USA, including their benefits, transit times, cost considerations, and when you should choose one.
What shipping options are there from China to the USA?
Generally, three basic shipping methods form the basis for shipping to the US. These include air, sea, and expedited shipping. Each method has its own advantages, so you can choose the one that best suits your international trade needs. Read on for a comprehensive overview:
Air freight from China to the USA
Known for its speed, air freight is the ideal choice for companies that need fast delivery to meet tight deadlines. Direct flights between major airports in China and the US mean you can receive goods within a matter of days.
Meanwhile, air transportation from China to the US is often preferred for the delivery of high-value cargo or perishable goods. The controlled environment and fast transit times of air logistics help preserve the freshness of shipments, such as seafood, pharmaceuticals and flowers. In addition, the increased security measures for air cargo provide additional protection for high-value items.
Below are some advantages and disadvantages of air freight that you can consider:
Advantages of air transport
1. Express shipping and convenience.
2. It will be faster if you ship to the American East Coast.
3. Good plan in terms of speed and cost for a medium sized cargo.
Disadvantages of air transport
1. Expensive shipping costs.
2. Due to airline weight and volume restrictions, you cannot ship extremely heavy or oversized cargo.
3. Restricted goods. For example, dangerous goods, flammable substances, certain chemicals, etc.
Sea freight from China to the USA
Sea freight is a popular and cost-effective option for shipping large quantities of goods from China to the USA. Especially if you are located on the Pacific coast of the United States. Sea freight involves transporting cargo in containers on board cargo ships. Depending on the size and requirements of your shipment, different services are usually supported:
Ocean FCL
FCL, Full Container Load, refers to your cargo that can fill an entire container. If you are shipping a large volume, you can book a full container for your goods to ensure maximum space utilization and flexibility. However, beware of FCL pricing, which is based on the flat shipping rate whether your container is fully filled or not.
Ocean FCL
On the other hand, LCL (Less Than Container Load) means that your shipments cannot fill a container and are consolidated with others in a common container. It is beneficial for bulk shipping as it reduces costs while ensuring reliable transportation.
Find out about the advantages and disadvantages of sea transport below:
Advantages of sea freight
1. cost-effectiveness.
2. Versatility: FCL and LCL options.
3. Suitable for bulky and heavy goods.
Disadvantages of sea freight
1. Longer transit times.
2. Possible loss or damage due to weather risks at sea.
3. Limited accessibility: In inland areas, problems may arise when using sea freight.
Express shipping from China to the USA
Express or courier services are more suitable for smaller packages, official documents or urgent shipments. Typically, the following shipments are processed:
Logistics agreement
Shipping documentation
Customs clearance
Door to door delivery
This means that the fee quoted includes all of the above if you choose express import from China to the USA. Express shipping to China is done through major international courier services such as UPS, DHL or FedEx, which are covered in more detail below.
UPS
UPS offers a comprehensive international courier service that allows shipping from China to 220 countries worldwide. When it comes to customs clearance, UPS takes care of the entire process. And UPS is better than FedEx and DHL at handling larger freight shipments.
DHL
DHL is a good option for smaller shipments where they will attempt to deliver the cargo by the next business day. When shipping from China to the US, this typically results in a transit time of two days. However, actual delivery times can vary and average 2-4 days.
FedEx
FedEx supports the low-cost FedEx Ground delivery service, with packages allowed to weigh up to 150 pounds. You should know that FedEx only ships on Saturdays in some parts of the U.S., not all. Additionally, FedEx does not ship lithium-ion batteries. If your shipment contains batteries, you should use alternative options such as DHL or UPS to ship these items.
Advantages of Express
1. Fast freight delivery.
2. Door to door pickup and delivery.
3. Advanced tracking systems.
Disadvantages of Express
1. Higher costs: Fast delivery and additional services come at a price.
2. Size and weight restrictions. Large and heavy items may be subject to additional fees or restrictions.
3. Limited coverage: Some remote areas or destinations may have limited coverage or higher express shipping surcharges.
Choosing the most appropriate transportation method depends on urgency, budget, cargo size and specific requirements of your freight. Working with a reliable freight forwarder can help you navigate the complexities of international shipping. For example, Airsupply, the head of the freight forwarding company, is experienced in shipping from China to the USA.
How long does it take to ship from China to the USA?
Shipping time from China to USA is generally 1-45 days. Here are the estimated transit times for different shipping methods:
Air freight
The transit time for air cargo to the USA is about 1 – 7 days. It mainly depends on the airline, flight availability and the respective locations in China and the USA.
Seefracht
The transportation time from China to USA by sea is about 15-40 days. If shipping to US West Coast, it will take 15+ days while East Coast will take 30+ days. In addition, LCL may take longer than FCL because it has to wait for another cargo to fill a container.
Express shipping
In general, express shipments from China to the USA can take 1-5 business days. The exact time depends on the service level chosen and any customs regulations.
Shipping times from China to USA are not always the same and unchangeable. Shipping times may vary depending on the season, holidays, unforeseen circumstances, etc. It is advisable to check with the shipping provider for a more accurate arrival time based on your logistics schedule.
How much are the shipping costs from China to the USA?
Air freight costs from China to the USA
Air freight is generally more expensive than other shipping methods due to the faster delivery time. Freight charges are usually calculated based on the chargeable weight of the shipment. The chargeable weight is determined by comparing the gross and volumetric weight and pricing with the higher value.
Currently (June 2023), air freight costs from China to the USA range from $5 to $9 per kilo. In addition to the base price, additional charges may apply for the following services:
1. Fuel surcharges
2. Security fees
3. Processing fees
4. Value-added services
Standard air freight is a more cost-effective option for shipments weighing between 150 kg and 500 kg. You should note that air freight rates vary greatly depending on the carrier and change regularly. For this result, you can contact an expert logistics provider to get accurate and up-to-date air freight costs. They can provide you with customized quotes based on your shipping details.
Sea freight costs from China to the USA
Sea transport is more suitable if you are delivering larger shipments, for example, weighing more than 1,000 kg. The calculation is based on the cargo volume (in cubic meters) or weight (in tons). Sea freight offers huge economies of scale, as some cargo ships can transport 20,000 20-foot containers.
The cost of sea freight from China to USA usually depends on the route and shipping conditions . The average freight rates (port to port) for FCL and LCL from Shenzhen port are currently (June 2023):
FCL-Seefrachtpreis
| Port of departure | Destination port | 20 foot container | 40 foot container |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shenzhen | Houston | $1680 | $2,700 |
| Shenzhen | New York | $2000 | $2800 |
Note: The price is for reference only.
Prices for sea freight LCL shipping
| Port of departure | Destination port | USD/CBM |
|---|---|---|
| Shenzhen | Houston | 25 USD/cbm |
| Shenzhen | New York | 18 USD/cbm |
| Shenzhen | Chicago | 20 USD/cbm |
Note: The price is for reference only.
Opting for a full container load is often the more efficient choice in terms of both time and cost. If you have enough cargo to fill a container, using all the space can result in lower shipping costs and faster transit times.
On the other hand, if you start with LCL shipping, you may incur additional costs when unloading the goods at the port, so you should evaluate the cargo volume and choose the most suitable option to optimize your supply chain.
Other factors that affect shipping costs are the type of container used (standard, high cube, reefer, etc.) and any additional services required, such as insurance premiums . Before shipping from China to USA by sea, you can check the latest quotes from a freight forwarder like Airsupply . They can help you book directly with the vessel owner at competitive rates.
Express freight costs from China to USA
Express shipping services offer fast and reliable door-to-door delivery but at a higher cost than other methods. This is generally determined by factors such as the weight and dimensions of the package, the level of service chosen (e.g. express or economy), etc.
Below you will find the current rates (June 2023) for express shipping from China to the USA.
| Express carrier | 10 kg | 100 kg | 200 kg | 300 kg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DHL | $ 8.6 / kg | $ 6.3 / kg | $2,700 | $ 6.23 / kg |
The table shows the average cost. To find out the current price, you can contact a reputable carrier.
What is the cheapest shipping from China to USA?
For small packages under 400 pounds, express shipping to the US is a good option. At this weight, it's not worth buying a full container for sea freight or using a customs broker for air freight. If speed is your main criteria, express mail is almost the fastest method for door-to-door shipping to the US.
If your shipments weigh between 400 and 1200 pounds, air transportation is the most cost-effective method with fast delivery times. Additionally, some airlines offer economy or consolidated freight services that can be more cost-effective.
Ocean freight may be the best choice if your shipments weigh more than 1,200 pounds. Ocean freight, while slow, is cost-effective, especially for large shipments that are not time-critical.
How to calculate import duty from China to USA?
What is customs?
Before calculating customs fees when importing goods from China to the USA, you should understand what they mean. Customs fees are charged by the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and can vary depending on the type of goods and the country of origin.
You can refer to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule to find out the tariff rate for a specific product. It contains detailed information about the tariff rates applicable to different goods.
How to calculate it
When shipping goods to the USA, goods up to a value of USD 800 are duty-free. Any amount above this is subject to customs duties at a flat rate determined by US customs policy.
Suppose you need to import a batch of waterproof shoes with rubber outsoles and uppers. First, you should check the HTS code for the shoes and then apply the import duty rate for the goods – 4.6%.
The tax is levied on the declared amount of the freight excluding shipping costs, which in this example is $36,000. So the import duty on the goods is 36000 x 4.6% = 1656.
What is the limit for US customs?
The U.S. tariff threshold refers to the value above which imported goods are subject to duties and taxes. It is also known as de minimis value. For shipments to the United States, de minimis value is $800.
However, certain goods, such as alcohol, tobacco products, etc., have different de minimis limits. Since these are restricted items, they may be subject to special regulations regardless of their value. If your item is such special cargo, you can contact a customs broker or freight forwarder to check their eligibility under the de minimis rule.
How can ASL support your international shipping?
Airsupply, an international logistics company, has specialized in shipping from China to USA for over ten years. They have partnered with thousands of reliable freight forwarders to provide expert freight forwarding services for air, sea, rail and road transportation . With over 200 charter flights, Airsupply can guarantee you sufficient cargo space even in peak season.
Moreover, Airsupply handles 50+ DG cargo per week and has insight into the policies and rules that vary from country to country. They can help you ship various types of cargo to the US with ease, including cars, batteries, vape products and much more.
Airsupply matches your freight needs with the best options available, including:
One-stop DDP and DDU freight
Worldwide Amazon FBA shipping
Safety storage agreement
Advantageous logistics insurance project
Advanced tracking systems
Own inspection team
You can contact ASL for more detailed services that meet your specific needs. The 24/7 online support team will provide you with customized solutions and quotes immediately.
