The USA is the world’s largest importer, with an annual import value exceeding $2500 billion. China stands as the largest supplier not only to the USA but also to the rest of the world.

You are likely already aware of this, especially if you seek to import goods from China to the USA. However, you might be facing a challenge in understanding the process.

Don’t worry; in this article, we will guide you on efficiently shipping from China to the USA, outlining the most cost-effective and swiftest shipping methods, optimal shipping routes, customs documentation, and processes, among other essential details. Keep reading to gain a deeper understanding.

For the shipping from China to USA, the available shipping options are the sea freight, air freight and Express freight.

Sea freight is the cheapest shipping option for bulk cargo over 2CBM; you can ship from China’s main seaport, Shenzhen, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Ningbo, Qingdao, and Tianjin, to major seaports like LOS ANGELES, LONG BEACH, SEATTLE, OAKLAND, NEW YORK, MIAMI, HOUSTON, etc.

Sea freight may be the slowest, but it has a lot of other benefits over Air & Express Freight, such as;

• It is the cheapest
• Fewer Restrictions
• As long as the size is the same, the weight almost doesn’t cost more, so it’s best for heavy goods.

In Sea Freight, you will be asked how you want to load your cargo on the containers;

• LCL, also known as Less than Container Load, is a shipping option in which your Products are loaded with other Products in the same container. This way is cheap when you don’t have enough goods to fill a whole container; typically, it is suitable for volumes below 16CBM, so you don’t need to pay for the entire container. 
• FCL, also called Full Container Load, is a separate container set only for your cargo; nothing else is put in it. Typically, it is suitable for volumes above 16CBM. In this method, you pay for the whole container, so ensure you have enough goods to fill it completely.

It is important to note that in LCL shipping, your goods are loaded with other people’s goods, and the container consolidation and dis-considation takes extra time.

In contrast, the FCL shipping method is more secure & faster because your private container will only open when it reaches your country, and with only your goods in it, there will be fewer chances of inspection ( which, if it happens, can take many days ).

If you are looking for port-to-port or door-to-door sea freight from China to the USA with the fastest delivery, hassle-free custom clearance, and budget-friendly costs, then we, Winsky Freight, are the best option for you.

Air freight from China to the USA comes with many advantages, including improved safety, reliability, and time consciousness. You don’t have to wait for 4-5 weeks to receive your goods. Also, air freight can be the most convenient method when shipping lightweight products weighing less than 300 kilograms.

Both China and the USA are home to highly developed cargo airports. The popular Chinese ones are in Shanghai, Shenzhen, Qingdao, and Hong Kong, and they ship to airports in the USA like Chicago (ORD), Los Angeles (LAX), New York (JFK), San Francisco (SFO), and more.

Except you use the DDP (door-to-door option), you’ll have to pay for transporting the goods from China airport to the US airport, clearing customs, and pick up them in the US airport. You may also incur extra charges like terminal handling charges, security charges, etc.

Pls note that not every good can be shipped with air freight. There are international and national laws that restrict certain goods based on the dangers posed by air travel. Products like batteries, chemical products, and flammable items may be restricted while traveling.

How quickly your goods arrive from China to USA depends on the airports chosen and the shipping routes. Using a direct shipping route is fast but costly. Your goods will arrive US airport on the second day. Indirect routes take longer but can save you money. It is always best to use a knowledgeable freight forwarder like Winsky Freight who knows all the air travel routes from China to USA that can help you save money.

China to USA air freight is favorable for you when:

1. You need your goods in 10 days or less.
2. Your chargeable weight is between 200 and 500 kg.
3. You’re shipping perishable goods, like electornics.

It should be noted that air freight is not always charged solely by gross weight. Instead, it uses chargeable weight. This means if the volumetric weight is greater than the gross weight, as is common with lightweight goods, you will be charged based on the volumetric weight, and vice versa.

Teaming up with a reputable freight forwarder like Winsky Freight is the best way to send goods by air from China to the USA. We will help you book cargo space on airplanes, complete customs documentation, and coordinate delivery to the final destination in the USA. This way, you can meet tight deadlines and ensure you never run out of stock.

Express freight is the fastest shipping options from China to the USA, and more suitable for urgent samples shipping and shipment weight below 200KG. There are 3 famous Express shipping carriers from China to the USA: DHL, FedEx, and UPS.

DHL is the fastest Express courier from China to the USA, with a shipping time of about 1-5 days, and DHL’s custom clearance ability is better than other express like UPS and FedEx. DHL Express shipping cost is higher than FedEx and UPS, suitable for shipping samples and most urgent goods.

FedEx shipping from China to the USA

FedEx is one of the best Express couriers from China to the USA. Shipping time is about 3-5 work days, and shipping cost is more economical for weights above 21 than DHL Express; you can consult your China freight forwarder, as they have discounted agent prices than shipping directly from the Express carrier.

UPS shipping from China to the USA

It has two different services for UPS from China to the USA, UPS Worldwide Saver, and UPS Worldwide Expedited; for UPS Worldwide Saver, the delivery time is about 3-5 business days, and for 5-7 business UPS Worldwide Expedited, the shipping time and stability of the UPS Worldwide Saver is better than UPS Worldwide Expedited. Still, shipping costs are slightly higher than UPS Saver service; you can consider the shipping according to your unique needs.

If you’ve ever shipped products from China to the United States, you’ve probably heard about DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) shipping.

In a DDP shipping agreement, the seller is responsible for covering all the transport costs from factory to the USA destination. The supplier assumes all the risks involved.

For DDP shipping from China to the USA, Chinese freight forwarders combine the advantages of air and sea transportation modes and integrate local couriers like UPS and FedEx to complete China-to-USA door-to-door shipping. This model represents an innovative business approach that leverages the speed of air freight and the cost-efficiency of sea shipping to achieve point-to-point and full-process door-to-door delivery.

After customs clearance is completed by the local agent at the destination port, the goods are delivered to the designated Amazon warehouse or USA residential address by UPS, FedEx, or truck.

The total DDP sea freight shipping time takes about 20-25 working days door to door from China to USA.

The mode of the first leg of transportation via sea freight to a US port, followed by last-mile delivery by local UPS or FedEx, leverages the reservation-free feature of UPS and FedEx, along with the cost-effectiveness of sea freight. This allows customers to consider both timeliness and cost-efficiency.

The mode of the first leg of transportation via sea freight to a US port and last-mile delivery by truck is currently the most economical and suitable option for Amazon and 3rd party fulfillment centers.

The total DDP air freight shipping time takes about 10 working days door to door from China to USA.

The DDP air freight particular line operates as follows: goods are loaded into the container, after which the China freight forwarder arranges the export customs documents and export clearance.

The goods are then shipped via air freight to a USA airport. Subsequently, the USA destination port agent handles import customs clearance and delivery, encompassing customs declaration and inspection, warehousing and distribution, cargo insurance, document processing, and other one-stop logistics services.

With this mode of initial air transportation + last-mile UPS dispatch, the combination of air transportation and UPS end delivery ensures the safe and prompt delivery of your goods to the warehouse.

When you are dispatching your cargo from China to the USA, you will have to choose one of these 3 shipping methods, such as; 

i) Air Freight

ii) Sea Freight

iii) Express Shipping

Most people think that Sea freight is the most inexpensive, so it’s the best, while others think Express Freight is the speediest, so it’s better. But that’s half wrong. You see, each person’s product size, weight, & nature differs.

Moreover, each person lives in a different place, so they order stuff at their nearest delivery port. Some people want urgent delivery while others don’t, and above all, every person has a different budget. So, the shipping method differs for everybody.

However, you can see the chart below to get an idea of what kind of shipment method is best for you;

If you look at the above chart, you can see that for big & heavy goods, the best shipment method is by sea, it is because;

• Weight matters little in ocean ships; for example, you can put 25,400 kg in a 20 ft container, costing you less than $0.5/kg. While in Air freight, it will cost you $5/kg. In short, Air freight will cost you 10+ times more than sea freight. 
• And the same goes for Big products. As airplanes are much smaller than ocean carriers, they take every inch of cargo very seriously, even if it weighs nothing, and they will charge for a higher standard weight according to size instead of actual weight. So, if your goods are big, like a car, crane, etc., always choose sea freight. 

However, if you need your goods quickly and don’t mind spending more than the product’s actual price, you can also choose Air freight; it’s up to you.

Shipping from China to Amazon FBA in the US is a popular method for transporting goods from China. However, it’s a process for which you should contact a reliable China freight forwarder to help transport your goods to an Amazon warehouse in the US, ensuring a convenient and streamlined logistics process.

Winsky Freight offers a professional shipping solution from China to US Amazon FBA, ensuring everything is handled in a timely and cost-effective manner that aligns with your Amazon shipping requests and expectations.

Winsky Freight has a network of agents in the US that facilitates a smooth shipping logistics process on both ends. The available shipping options for China to Amazon FBA in the US include ocean freight door-to-door, air freight door-to-door, and express freight.

1) The manufacturer prepares the goods, labels the product, and affixes the FBA barcode, ‘Made in China’ remark, and warehouse identification number to the outer carton. 

2) The manufacturer or we pick up and deliver the goods to the designated warehouse, following the warehouse order number. 

3) The manufacturer provides a commercial invoice, packing list, declaration elements, and complete customs declaration information.

4) After the goods arrive at our logistics warehouse, we inspect the packages, arrange the export customs declaration, and leave the goods at the place of departure. 

5) Upon arrival at the destination (LAX), our local partner in the USA handles import customs clearance, pays customs duties, and picks up and distributes the goods to the US private destination or Amazon warehouse.

6) If shipped by truck to Amazon, a local agent in the USA will make an appointment with Amazon in advance and deliver the goods to FBA according to the scheduled arrival time. 

7) Amazon successfully signs for delivery, and Amazon sellers can check the details of the goods’ storage on the Amazon website.

No matter whether you are choosing sea or air freight, there are some factors that will affect shipment costs, such as; 

• Goods Type
• Overall Size & Weight of Shipment
• Shipping Route Distance ( the shorter, the cheaper )
• Peak Seasons ( More Orders cause a rise in Shipping prices )
• Others like Custom Checkings, delays, natural disasters, etc.

Below, we will discuss how much you will get charged in shipping through various methods, such as; 

1. a) Sea Freight Cost
2. b) Air Freight Cost
3. c) Express Courier Cost

It is important to note that in sea freight, people always ship big goods, so the cost of shipment is usually based on volume or CBM (cubic meter ) value, in the case of LCL.

In the case of FCL, you are not charged based on CBM because you are paying for the full container, and you can use all the space ( CBM ) inside it or leave it empty.

Check below the LCL sea freight dated 06-July-2024 from China to the USA for your information, pls also note that you need to take the documents fee and destination port fees into consideration too.

Sea freight rates from China to USA:

In the case of Air freight, the parcels are usually small, in which case, the cost is based on weight ( kg ). However, if your air parcels are light weighted, then volume weight also used as chargeable weight on Air shipping. You can see the chart below dated 06-July-2024 to get an idea about costs;

Air freight from China to USA per KG:

In express shipping, courier companies pick up your parcel from your house, or you have to deliver it to their nearby office, and they will deliver the parcel all the way to the receiver house within 1-week all over the world.

Express couriers have the most expensive service among all kinds of shipment methods, Check below the Express  freight dated 06-July-2024 from China to the USA for your information

Express freight per KG from China to USA Door to Door:

It depends if the shipment charge weight is below 100 kg. Typically, the cheapest shipping option is the Express way, with an estimated cost of around US$8/KG door-to-door from China to the USA.

Standard air freight will be the most economical choice for shipment total charge weight between 100-300 KG, costing around US$6 per KG.

The most cost-effective option for total weight and volume above 300 KG and 2 CBM will be sea freight, estimated at around US$50/CBM.

In summary, the most cost-efficient approach is to engage a reliable freight forwarder like Winsky Freight to handle your shipment, as they are well-versed with all the shipping options, regulations, and shipping routes from China to the USA and can secure better shipping discounts.

Numerous factors affect shipping time from China to the USA. They include:

• Shipping Options:The mode of shipping you choose- Express shipping, air, or sea freight (door to door or port to port)- determines how long you have to wait for your goods to arrive.
• Shipping Distances and Routes:Choosing the right shipping ports can shorten the shipping time. For example, if you’re shipping from Yiwu in China to California in the USA, selecting the nearest ports like Ningbo in China and LA in the USA can speed up the process.
• Shipping Seasons:Shipping in off-seasons is faster and cheaper than in peak seasons due to lower freight volume. Less time is wasted during loading, unloading, picking up containers, and last-mile delivery. Conversely, shipping during peak seasons or Chinese holidays may lead to longer delivery times.
• Port Congestion:The number of ships waiting to unload or load at the port can affect shipping time.
• Custom Clearance Delay:It is important to have all necessary documents ready to avoid clearance delays.
• Freight Forwarders:Finally, the choice of China freight forwarders you partner with can also affect the efficiency and speed of the shipping process.

Keep in mind that both air and sea freight options from China to the USA offer premium priority services, but they come with higher costs. Tell your freight forwarder your required shipping time and shipping budget, and they will choose the best shipping routes and most economical shipping options for you.

The major factor that affects the sea shipping time between China and the USA is the port-to-port distance. For example, shipping to the West Coast of the USA, like Los Angeles, takes about 14 days but takes a much longer time (around 35 days) to the East Coast, like Miami. Weather conditions and customs procedures can also cause significant delays in shipping time. You’ll find that FCL shipping is usually faster than LCL because less time is spent consolidating and unloading goods at the ports.

This shipping mode remains the most economical, despite taking the longest time. There are several ports of entry in the USA, but not all of them can be beneficial for you. Sometimes, it is smarter to ship to the West Coast and then deliver by road to save time and money. Winsky Freight can advise on the best sea shipping routes to save time and money, so don’t let this bother you. Generally, port-to-port sea shipping from China to the USA takes anywhere from 15 to 40 days.

Several factors can significantly affect air freight time from China to the USA, including packing, loading, unloading, customs clearance, shipping carriers, and whether it’s a direct or indirect flight.

A direct flight can take as little as one day from a Chinese airport to the destination airport in the USA. However, some individuals opt for indirect flights to reduce costs. In these cases, the airplane may stop at one or more airports in between, adding more days to the overall delivery time.

Express Couriers always use Airplanes, the fastest In-Land vehicles, have dedicated custom agents, their work laborers, and above all, they work overnight, so they have the quickest delivery time no matter where you want to send packages around the world.

However, this quick delivery is not cheap, and they charge 2 – 3 times more than other shipping methods.

It is important to note that Express Couriers deliver parcels to the doorstep, so the traffic greatly matters because, in crowded cities like New York, it may take an additional day or two for delivery.

The fastest shipping between China and the USA is by Express Couriers, while Air freight is not far behind and has earned second place. However, Sea freight is the slowest mode of shipping. You can compare them in the charts below;

Many situations might lead to shipping delays, like port congestion, import and export customs exams, and China holidays, so prepare your shipment ahead to avoid the potential delay affecting your business and supply chain.

Most Chinese suppliers and manufacturers close their factories during public holidays such as the Chinese New Year, affecting the supply and delivery of Chinese goods.

Before shipping any product from China, ensure that you are within the correct timeline to avoid congestion at the seaports. Otherwise, you’ll have to wait for weeks to get the goods.

Port Congestion

Congestion at the seaport is a common cause of sea freight delays.

When there’s congestion at the port, ships can’t load or unload goods on time.

That means the ship won’t sail on time at the departure seaport and fails to arrive at the destination port on time.

Import Customs Inspections

Although delay cases due to customs inspections are rare, they still happen occasionally.

When sea freight goods go through the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) inspection, the shipment can be delayed for about one to two weeks.

If that happens, you must give the freight forwarder more time to ship the products.

As a new importer, we know that you are afraid of customs because they check tons of paperwork and charge fees. Without a freight forwarder or customs agent, you will likely pay more fees and strand your cargo due to missing paperwork.

You see, you will need the following paperwork in the Origin Country, China;

• Commercial Invoice ( from the manufacturer )
• Export Declaration Document ( from the Chinese government )
• Packing list ( from the seller )
• COC certification ( issued by the exporter )
• Customs Invoice ( from seller or exporter )
• Bill of Lading ( given by the Shipping company )

After getting these Documents, Chinese Customs will inspect the goods, charge fees, and clear them for transport.

Then, in the USA, it is better to tell the destination port agents about your shipment and fill out the necessary forms. When the shipment arrives, you must submit almost all the above documents, which you get from China to the USA customs.

The USA customs will check the documentation, inspect goods if required, charge USA customs tariffs according to the products’ nature, and release them to you.

If you ship cargo from China to the USA, you must pay customs taxes unless your goods estimated value is lower than $800.

And for the next $1000, you must pay a 3% flat duty. However, if you move above, then standard duties rates will apply. For more info, click here.

You can check the customs duty before the shipment arrives by giving the customs agent your products’ HTS codes or finding the fees on the USA customs website.

It is important to note that the USA is a vast nation consisting of 2 whole continents. The ports in America are divided into 2-parts:

1. i) West Ports
2. ii) East Ports 

Shipments to the West Coast usually depart from Shanghai, Ningbo, or Shenzhen ports. They ship across the Pacific Ocean and arrive at ports like Los Angeles or Long Beach in the USA. This is the shortest shipping distance from China to the USA, and the transit time is about 14 days.

Shipments to the East Coast of the USA mostly depart from Shanghai, Shenzhen, or Ningbo. They pass through the Panama Canal and arrive at ports like New York, Savannah, or Miami. This is the longest shipping distance from China to the USA, and transit time is usually more than 28 days.

Each shipping carrier has its own routes between China & USA, and the most famous among them are;

Let’s explore how to ship from China to the USA.

1. Choose Your Shipping Options: Decide the shipping method that suits your needs. You can opt for air or sea freight. Air freight is faster but more expensive, while sea freight is slower but more cost-effective. Each shipping option has advantages and considerations, depending on your specific shipping requirements.
2. Request Quotes from Freight Forwarders: Contact several China freight forwarders to request quotes based on your shipment type and desired shipping options. Choose the one that best meets your requirements and satisfaction.
3. Prepare Necessary Documentation: Once you’ve selected a suitable freight forwarder, instruct your China factory to pack the goods appropriately and prepare the required customs clearance paperwork. This includes a commercial invoice, packing list, and country of origin.
4. Coordinate with Freight Forwarder: Coordinate with the chosen China freight forwarder to arrange the pickup of goods from your China factory and the delivery to your specified destination in the USA.
5. Schedule Pickup and Delivery: Coordinate with the shipping company to schedule a pickup time and organize the delivery to your preferred location in the USA.

In conclusion, the shipping process can be complex without the assistance of a reliable freight forwarder. It’s advisable to collaborate with a trusted China shipping agent to assist you with transportation, ensuring your goods arrive safely and on time.

If you’ve ever shipped items from China to the US, you probably know what incoterms are. Incoterms are formal agreements between the supplier and buyer, specifying who is responsible for loading, shipping, delivery, offloading, and customs clearance.

Here are the most common incoterms you need to know.

Cost Insurance Freight (CIF): 

This trade term gives a seller the responsibility to cover transport to the US. The seller is responsible for the risks involved.

Free on Board (FOB): 

The supplier delivers goods to your preferred port in China; then, you become responsible for anything that happens from there to a US port.

Ex Works (EXW):

When you choose this incoterm, the supplier delivers goods at their factory gate, then you (the buyer) are responsible for shipping to the US.

Monitoring your shipment’s movements helps you plan delivery schedules appropriately.

Tracking goods is easier when transporting them via express shipping services, such as DHL and FedEx. You can visit the Express carrier’s Offical website and enter the unique tracking number to monitor your shipment’s progress.

You can also track your cargo’s movement when shipping by sea and standard air freight by visiting the carrier’s website and inputting the provided tracking number.

Another option to track the shipment status is using a third-party website like 17track, which supports 1500+ carriers and 120+ airlines worldwide.

If you encounter difficulties tracking the goods, allow your freight forwarder to do it on your behalf.

No doubt, shipping cargo from China to the United States involves risks. Accidents can occur due to bad weather, and containers can be lost at sea. For this reason, you must purchase freight insurance to protect your goods against loss or damages that may result in financial losses.

When you buy freight insurance, it’s essential to familiarize yourself with the cargo insurance clauses, such as the insurance rate, scope of coverage, and the deductible amount.

The insurance rates depend on the value and nature of the goods you ship from China to the United States. The insurance rate is typically 0.3% of your cargo value, with a minimum cost of US$25 per shipment.

In the event of damage or loss, you must promptly contact the insurance company, especially for damage cases. Take photos the same day you receive the cargo and inform the insurance company.

Prepare the necessary insurance documents, such as the commercial invoice, sales contract, packing list, claim letter, list of losses, accident certificate, and bill of lading.

The insurance company will carefully review all the documents, and the entire process may take up to a month. The insurance company will compensate your bank account if everything is in order.

Shipping products from China to the United States involves many logistics, which may take a lot of work for you to handle. So, you’ll need help from a reliable freight forwarder.

However, finding the best freight forwarder can be challenging when you don’t know what to consider during the search.

Here are the tips to get the best freight forwarding company in China.

Is the freight forwarder capable of handling the shipping procedures?

If the freight forwarder can fulfill all the supply chain requirements, consider it the best company to handle your goods.

The company’s size doesn’t matter here. Small freight forwarding companies tend to give more attention to their clients.

The best freight forwarder has exceptional communication channels.

Since shipping from China to the United States involves complex procedures, effective communication between you and the freight forwarder is essential.

Ensure that the freight forwarder is reachable to address your concerns at any time.

Consider this factor when shipping products that require special care and handling.

If you are still looking for a freight forwarder specializing in your goods, you can consult your Chinese supplier to help you find one.

A good freight forwarding company provides several shipping options to fulfill the needs of every client. The most common shipping methods include air freight and sea freight.

For example, you must confirm whether the freight forwarder offers LCL or FCL shipping if you plan to ship by sea freight.

Here are the reasons to hire Winsky Freight to process your shipment from China.

Winsky Freight understands that you need high-quality shipping services, and it all starts with the shipping company handling your goods.

Notably, Winsky Freight has a great relationship with leading carriers worldwide. You can rest assured that your goods will arrive in the US in good shape.

Every importer’s top priority is to save on shipping costs.

If you want to enjoy competitive shipping prices, consider hiring a reputable freight forwarder like Winsky Freight to enjoy better prices.

At Winsky Freight, we offer the best shipping rates for various goods. We provide free quotes with no hidden charges.

Whether you plan to ship your goods to the US by air, sea, or express shipping, you can get all the shipping services at Winsky Freight.

We are China’s most trusted freight forwarding company, specializing in several shipping methods, including DDP shipping and Amazon FBA shipping to the US.

Shipping goods from China to the US market can be daunting when you need to learn how things work. This guide has enlightened you on the basics, so you don’t have to worry.

The most crucial step of shipping from China to the US is contacting a trustworthy freight forwarding company, like Winsky Freight, to take you through the shipping process.