Shipping from China to the USA | Sea, Air, Express Freight
Multiple transportation options are available when shipping from China to the USA (United States). Sea shipping is the most cost-effective choice for larger shipments, while air freight suits smaller, time-sensitive deliveries. DDP shipping is a popular option that offers direct delivery to the customer’s doorstep. It is an excellent solution for those shipping products directly to Amazon warehouses. Select the most suitable method for your business, regardless of the type of shipment you require.
How can you ship from China to the US?
Transporting your goods from China to the USA with International Shipping is simple. Follow these steps to achieve the best shipping experience:
- Determine the value of your shipment to assess customs duties and overall shipping costs.
- Provide receiving information to a freight forwarder, including the pickup location in China, your US address, and item details (types, sizes, and weight).
- Prepare the shipping and import documents for your goods.
- Properly label and package your cargo
- Make payment for the shipping fee
Planning to sell in the US? You have a range of shipping options: express Freight, air freight, sea freight, or DDP door-to-door service.
Delve into our comprehensive resources to gain further insights into the following shipping options:
- Air freight from China to the USA
- Sea freight from China to the USA
- Express shipping from China to the USA
Sea freight from China to the USA
Sea freight is a standard and reliable option for international cargo transportation, offering cost-effectiveness. Shipping goods from China to the USA via sea freight is popular because it saves costs and reasonable delivery times.
With China being the largest trading partner of the United States and the continuous growth of the demand for transportation, sea freight remains a preferred choice. Major US ports on the West Coast include Long Beach, Oakland, Seattle, and Los Angeles, while the East Coast features ports such as Miami, New York, Norfolk, Houston, Savannah, Charleston, and Jacksonville. These ports are well-connected, forming a convenient transportation network for sea freight shipments.
The transit time for shipping from China to the US via port-to-port transportation typically ranges from 15 to 20 days. The total transit time, including other factors, is usually around 20 to 40 days. Door-to-door shipping by sea generally takes approximately 45 days. Sea freight is considered a reliable shipping method due to the availability of frequent sailing schedules offered by various shipping lines. By opting for faster shipping lines, it is possible to shorten the shipping times and expedite the delivery process.
Sea shipping routes from China to the USA
Sea shipping from China to the US offers reliability and affordability; generally, the cargo takes around 30 days to reach its destination port in America. If expedited delivery is desired, achieving a shorter transit time of 20 days is possible by opting for a faster shipping service at a higher cost.
The most famous shipping routes from China to the US include:
- From Shenzhen, China, to Los Angeles, CA
- From Shanghai, China, to Long Beach, CA
- From Ningbo, China, to Los Angeles, CA
- From Qingdao, China, to New York City
- From Tianjin, China, to Oakland, CA
Fast sea shipping lanes service from China to the USA
A shipping service called Matson Long Beach Express or China Long Beach Express offers a transit time of 8-9 working days for shipping from China to the US West Coast (USWC). This service operates a container shipping route between the Port of Shanghai, China, and the Port of Long Beach, USA. Matson, the shipping company, provides scheduled sailings every week.
Shipping time of the Matson Fast sea shipping
The average arrival time at Pier C, a Matson terminal located in Long Beach, is typically 1-2 days after the ship departs China. Unlike other Matson routes that pass through the Hawaiian Islands, the China Long Beach Express route bypasses Hawaii, resulting in cost savings on port fees and reduced transit times to the United States.
The standard reference time limit for delivery to the third-party warehouse for the US West Coast is nine working days from the ship’s departure.
Matson Shipping’s ocean shipping services
Matson’s renowned shipping service, operated by the CLX vessel, maintains high punctuality. The CLX vessel’s scheduled departure time is 6:00 PM on Mondays and an early arrival time of 9 AM on Thursdays at the Port of Long Beach. The Pier C terminal at the Port of Long Beach serves as the unloading port for CLX, ensuring a minimal delay of just 1-2 days before containers are ready for pickup.
Matson Shipping added an express line to meet the growing demand in cross-border e-commerce. This new route unloads at Pier A in the Port of Long Beach. The standard reference time limit for delivery to the third-party warehouse in the US West is 14-15 working days after the ship’s departure.
Matson Shipping already operates two established routes, namely CLX and CCX. The CLX route has operated since 2010, connecting China directly to Los Angeles. On the other hand, the CCX route connects China to Auckland, New Zealand, before proceeding to Los Angeles. The CCX route is typically categorized as an overtime ship with a longer transit time than the CLX line. Neither of these routes includes any additional ports of call.
The 20ft & 40ft Containers shipping cost from China to the USA
- A 20-ft container rate: Usually ranges between $1250 and $2520.
- A 40-ft container rate: Usually costs between $2,300 and $3500.
How long is sea shipping from China to the US?
| Sea Shipping from Shanghai to | Sea Shipping from Ningbo to | Sea Shipping from Qingdao to | Sea Shipping from Shenzhen to | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA | 14days | 15days | 18days | 15days |
| Oakland, CA | 12days | 12days | 23days | 14days |
| New York, NY | 29days | 28days | 33days | 30days |
| SAVANNAH, GA | 25-33days | 27-35days | 29-31days | 33days |
Air Freight from China to the USA
NewSmartShip air freight service from China to the USA offers secure and dependable solutions for all your air transportation requirements, including time-sensitive and high-value commodities.
Air freight transit time from China to the USA
Air freight takes 1 to 3 days from China to the US
| From | To | Transit time | |
| Air Freight | China | USA | One day |
| Air Freight | Shenzhen | Oakland (USOAK) | Three days |
| Air Freight | Guangzhou | Atlanta (USATL) | Seven days |
| Air Freight | Guangzhou | Washington (USWAS) | Four days |
Several factors can impact the delivery time of your cargo, including the type of goods (bulk or non-bulk), their value, and weight. Cargo can be shipped directly from various Chinese airports, such as Shenzhen, Guangzhou, and Hong Kong, to major US airports like JFK International Airport, Chicago O’Hare International Airport, Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, San Francisco International Airport, and Seattle International Airport.
Air freight Costs from China to the USA
| Departure City | Range | Destination Airport | Price Per KG ($USD) | Estimated Transit time (days) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shanghai | Rate for 100KGS-299KGS | Los Angeles (LAX) | 4.1 | 1 |
| Shanghai | Rate for 100KGS-299KGS | New York (JFK) | 4.6 | 1 |
| Shanghai | Rate for 100KGS-299KGS | Miami (MIA) | 5.67 | 5-6 |
| Shanghai | Rate for 100KGS-299KGS | Chicago (ORD) | 4.8 | 1 |
| Shanghai | Rate for 300KGS-1000KGS | Los Angeles (LAX) | 4.1 | 1 |
| Shanghai | Rate for 300KGS-1000KGS | New York (JFK) | 4.6 | 1 |
| Shanghai | Rate for 300KGS-1000KGS | Miami (MIA) | 5.7 | 5-6 |
| Shanghai | Rate for 300KGS-1000KGS | Chicago (ORD) | 4.8 | 1 |
| Shanghai | Rate for 1000KGS+ | Los Angeles (LAX) | 4 | 1 |
| Shanghai | Rate for 1000KGS+ | New York (JFK) | 4.4 | 4-5 |
| Shanghai | Rate for 1000KGS+ | Miami (MIA) | 5.7 | 4-5 |
| Shanghai | Rate for 1000KGS+ | Chicago (ORD) | 4.6 | 4-5 |
| Guangzhou | Rate for 100KGS-299KGS | Los Angeles (LAX) | 4.6 | 1 |
| Guangzhou | Rate for 100KGS-299KGS | New York (JFK) | 4.9 | 4-5 |
| Guangzhou | Rate for 100KGS-299KGS | Miami (MIA) | 5.6 | 4-5 |
| Guangzhou | Rate for 100KGS-299KGS | Chicago (ORD) | 4.9 | 4-5 |
| Guangzhou | Rate for 300KGS-1000KGS | Los Angeles (LAX) | 4.6 | 1 |
| Guangzhou | Rate for 300KGS-1000KGS | New York (JFK) | 4.9 | 4-5 |
| Guangzhou | Rate for 300KGS-1000KGS | Miami (MIA) | 5.6 | 4-5 |
| Guangzhou | Rate for 300KGS-1000KGS | Chicago (ORD) | 4.9 | 4-5 |
| Guangzhou | Rate for 1000KGS+ | Los Angeles (LAX) | 4.27 | 1 |
| Guangzhou | Rate for 1000KGS+ | New York (JFK) | 4.6 | 4-5 |
| Guangzhou | Rate for 1000KGS+ | Miami (MIA) | 5.1 | 4-5 |
| Guangzhou | Rate for 1000KGS+ | Chicago (ORD) | 4.6 | 4-5 |
Air freight charges and surcharges in international shipping include air freight charges, fuel surcharges, and terminal fees. Airlines determine these charges based on operational expenses, considering factors like the airline, route, and season. Prices may vary between airlines and fluctuate depending on peak or off-season periods. Fuel surcharges are applied per kilogram of cargo and are influenced by international oil prices, which can change regularly.
Door-to-door shipping from China to the US
Door-to-door delivery services from China to the US are available to provide convenience. There are two main options for door-to-door delivery: trucking delivery and express-door delivery.
Trucking delivery involves shipping your goods by truck from the origin station directly to your door. This method is commonly used and typically takes around 3-5 days for transit. It is a cost-effective option compared to express services.
Express door delivery is a choice for international shipping. With express door delivery, your package is collected from your doorstep, transported by air or sea, and delivered to its final destination within 1-2 days.
DDP shipping from China to the USA
DDP Shipping is a collaborative work involving multiple shipping companies. When shipping goods via sea freight, a shipping company is responsible for transporting the goods between countries. The final leg of the delivery process within each country is facilitated by courier services like UPS or FedEx, ensuring door-to-door delivery.
DDP Shipping offers two primary options:
- DDP Air Freight
- DDP Sea Freight
We can arrange the pickup of goods from your factory and handle their transportation to a seaport or airport for shipping. Alternatively, you can instruct your Chinese factory to deliver the cargo directly to our warehouse in major cities in China, such as Shenzhen, Guangzhou, or Shanghai…
DDP air freight from China to the USA
- Air freight is the first leg of shipping from China to the US.
- The DDP air shipping time is 9 to 12 days from our warehouse to your address.
- Customs clearance: We will be fully responsible for customs export declaration from China and import customs clearance from the United States to ensure that your goods pass customs inspection smoothly.
- We offer the flexibility to deliver your goods to your business, private address, or Amazon fulfilment centres.
DDP sea shipping from China to the USA
- Sea Freight is the first leg of shipping from China to the US
- FCL/LCL DDP sea shipping time is from 30 to 35 days
- Customs clearance: We will be fully responsible for customs export declaration from China and import customs clearance from the United States to ensure that your goods pass customs inspection smoothly.
- Deliver your cargo from our overseas warehouse to your business, private address, or Amazon fulfilment centres.
Express freight from China to the US
International express agents in China have varying levels of authority. Our company holds the highest-level agent status, granting us the utmost privileges. As a first-level core agent for express companies such as DHL, UPS, FedEx, and TNT, we enjoy priority warehouse arrangements and significant discounts off the official prices. Our services are characterized by affordability, stability, and optimal choice for sellers and individual users needing reliable international express shipping.
- Competitive Express freight price
- 3-5 Days delivery, faster than other forwarders
- 24/7 Online tracking of the cargo
- Covering 220+ countries and regions worldwide, ensuring global reach for your shipments.
Import customs clearance, duties, and tax in the US
Importing commodities into different countries involves varying procedures and processes. The import customs declaration is usually done manually by the importing company or customs broker. Import customs clearance typically takes 1-2 days after arrival at the seaport. NewSmartShip has its own US customs broker to handle import customs declaration, or you can use your designated customs broker.
Importing from China to the US entails paying import duties, which vary based on factors such as the item type, origin, and destination.
Duties are typically assessed upon a shipment’s arrival at the port of entry and processed by a nearby customs office. Upon receiving the invoice, you will find a separate line item for duties and fees.
Customs clearance documents are required for importing into the US
- Packing List
- Commercial Invoice
- Bill of Lading
- Importer Security Filing (ISF)
Shipping cargo from China to the United States is the Importer Security Filing (ISF), which must occur before your cargo departs from a Chinese seaport. It entails submitting detailed shipment information directly to the US Customs and Border Protection department.
You can obtain HTS-US (Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States) from your Chinese suppliers or freight forwarders.
FAQ
How long does it take to ship from China to the USA?
1. Average transit time by sea: 30 days
2. Average transit time by airfreight: 8-10 days (with daily direct flights)
3. Express shipping door-to-door (10kg): 3-5 days
How much does it cost to ship from China to the US?
Here are the cost breakdowns for the mentioned shipping options:
- Air freight ranges from $5 to $6 per kilogram.
- Sea freight FCL: $1300 for a 20-foot container, $1500 for a 40-foot container
- Sea freight LCL: $70 per CBM
- Air Freight DDP: The cost is $6.5-7.8per kilogram.
- Sea Freight DDP: The cost is $2 per kilogram.
- Express shipping door-to-door (10kg): $220
The cost of shipping goods from China to the USA can vary based on the nature of the goods and the chosen mode of transportation.
How can I track my packages from China to the U.S.?
Utilize the shipping line’s website and your Bill of Lading, container, or vessel number to stay updated on your cargo. The tracking system will display loading, departure, estimated arrival, customs clearance, and delivery.
