Shipping from China to the US: All Info You Need Know

In the realm of cross-border e-commerce, it’s a prevalent scenario to have a majority of suppliers situated in China. Since shipping from China to the US is inevitable, it becomes imperative to familiarize yourself with the importance of this process. Continue reading to discover various methods for initiating shipments from China to the US.

Part 1: What are the ways to ship from China to the US?

There are three primary shipping methods employed for transporting goods from China to the US:

1. Express Freight
2. Air Freight
3. Sea Freight

Express shipping is the quickest option, while air freight and sea freight tend to have longer transit times. However, each of these shipping methods holds specific advantages for your cross-border business in different scenarios.

1. Express Freight

Express shipping, offered by carriers like DHL, FedEx, and UPS, is the fastest. Packages are delivered within 7 days, making it ideal for urgent shipments. During the holiday season or when stock is low, express import is important to meet increased demand. However, you must consider its higher shipping costs and proper customs documentation in China is necessary.

Advantage:

1. During periods of heightened demand, such as the holiday season, this becomes the favored choice.
2. For small, high-priced goods, Express shipping has minimal impact on profit margins.

Disadvantages:

1. Express shipping shares several limitations, restricting its application to smaller items.
2. Expedited shipping on short notice incurs extra charges.

2. Air Freight

The distinction between air freight and express shipping lies in the level of expedited service. The advantage of air freight is that it offers a more economical choice for shipments weighing between 400 lbs and 1200 lbs without urgent delivery. Air freight is priced 30% to 40% cheaper than express shipping, providing the best combination of fast shipping and cost-effectiveness.

Advantages:

1. Air freight offers a favorable balance between speed and cost, making it a suitable choice for medium-sized shipments.
2. Compared to sea freight, air freight provides greater flexibility and accessibility for your shipments.

Disadvantages:

1. Air freight is unsuitable for shipping extremely heavy or oversized goods due to weight and size restrictions.
2. Air shipment regulations restrict the transportation of items such as aerosols and powerful magnets.
3. Shipping certain products, like lithium-ion batteries, can be costly due to their classification as dangerous goods.

3 . Sea Freight

Shipping goods from China to the US by sea is an excellent choice, considering the country’s numerous world-class seaports along its Coast.

First, you need to understand the difference between ocean shipping LCL and FCL. With FCL, you exclusively ship your products in a container. On the other hand, LCL involves sharing a container with other shipper’s goods, so it may require waiting for other goods, potentially causing delivery delays. Sea freight exposes your shipments to various weather risks due to the unpredictable nature of the seas. So, partnering with a reliable logistics company can assist you in planning for adverse weather conditions to decrease the risk of damage to your goods.

Advantages：

1. Sea freight is an ideal choice when you need to transport large loads or oversized products.
2. Compared to express shipping options, sea freight offers significantly lower shipping costs.

Disadvantages:

1. Compared to other shipping methods, sea freight generally has a longer transit time.
2. Plan for inclement weather when opting for sea freight.

Part 2: How much is Shipping from China to the US?

 

The cost of shipping from China to the US is primarily determined by the type of freight you choose. As mentioned earlier, shipping prices often vary based on the speed of delivery. Generally, the longer the transit time, the lower the cost. Let’s explore how shipping costs are determined for each shipment way.

1. Express shipping

Express shipping follows a pricing model similar to air freight. However, express shipping orders may incur additional surcharges that do not apply to standard air freight. These surcharges include extra fees for expediting your order. Due to the various controls involved in air freight, such as customs and terminal handling, prioritizing your shipment may require a significant fee to move it to the front of the line.

2. Air Freight

The pricing of air freight can vary significantly, and there is a cost advantage in shipping larger volumes. For instance, in February 2024, if you are shipping only 20 kilograms, the price per kilogram of product may range from $20 to $30. However, when shipping 100 kilograms, the prices decrease to approximately $5 to $10 per kilogram of product. So, it is evident that air freight entails significant fixed costs.

Sometimes, air freight entails extra fees, such as fluctuating fuel surcharges and inspection fees due to strict airport security measures.

3. Sea Freight

Sea freight is ideal for larger shipments as it is priced based on the number of containers needed. In February 2024, a 40ft standard container from China to the US averaged $3000 to $4000. Although this may seem costly, sea freight becomes the most cost-effective choice for loads weighing over 3000kg.

Part 3: How long is the shipping from China to the US?

 

You might be curious about the transit time for packages from China to the US. Generally, air shipping is significantly faster than sea shipping.

1. Express shipping

Express shipping is known for its faster transit times. The average shipping times for express shipping to the US vary depending on the different carriers. For example, EMS takes 3 to 16 days, DHL takes 1 to 4 days, and FedEx and UPS usually take 1 to 5 days.

2. Air Freight

Air freight shares similarities with express freight in terms of speed, but regular air freight shipments are not given priority unless additional fees are paid. Shipping times for air freight is usually ranging from 7 to 15 days.

3. Sea Freight

Usually, sea freight to the West coast of the US has an average transit time of 15+ days, while sea freight to the east Coast takes approximately 30+ days.

If you intend to ship sea freight to the East Coast, an alternative approach could be to receive your goods at a port on the West Coast and use truck or rail transportation to reach your final destination.

Part 4: How to track packages from China?

 

To track packages from China, you will need to obtain the custom alphanumeric tracking code from the order page. Here is a list of some tracking websites where you can enter your tracking number to get your package tracking information:

1. China Post 

This website provides tracking information and features a forum where users can ask questions and seek assistance.

2. Parcel App

By entering your tracking number on this website, you will promptly receive detailed information about your order.

3. 17track.net

You can copy and paste your tracking number to receive the information about your shipment.

4. track-trace

This tracking tool is designed to be user-friendly for tracking both containers and air cargo.

 

Part 5: What is the cheapest way to ship from China to the US?

 

For large shipments, the most cost-effective shipping method from China to the US depends on weight and speed. Express shipping is recommended for shipments under 200-400 lbs, while air freight is usually cheapest for shipments between 400 and 1200 lbs. Sea freight is the most economical for shipments over 1200 lbs.

There are three main options for shipping small parcels weighing less than 5 lbs from China to the US: regular post, express shipping, and ePacket. Regular post is the most cost-effective method, but delivery times can take up to 90 days. China International EMS offers the fastest delivery within three to 15 days. However, as package size increases, the price of regular post may become comparable to express shipping.

Express shipping from China to the US tends to be more expensive, especially for small parcels. As an alternative, ePacket shipping is a cost-effective and speedy choice for small packages within specific size and weight limits. Despite limitations such as a maximum weight of 4.4 lbs and a merchandise value cap of $400, ePacket remains highly affordable. For example, shipping from China to California using ePacket often costs less than shipping from California to Nevada via USPS. Due to its affordability and efficiency, ePacket is widely preferred by AliExpress drop shippers.

Conclusion

To optimize your shipping, you should balance cost and timing considerations. If speed is a priority, air shipping is the preferred choice. On the other hand, if you prioritize selling a high volume of products at lower prices, sea shipping is the more suitable option. However, regardless of the shipping method chosen, it is recommended that a logistics company that thoroughly plans and considers these aspects be selected to facilitate smooth operations.