Shipping from China to the USA
China is the US second-largest trading partner, and the United States imported more than $427 billion worth of goods from China in 2023. Such a large trade volume highlights the close economic ties between the two countries and presents enormous business opportunities for many small and medium-sized enterprises. As Sino-U.S. trade grows, the volume of goods transported, such as electronics, machinery, equipment, textiles, and consumer goods, has surged. However, the shipping process from China to the US can seem complex to newcomers to many industries. To help, we have outlined the key steps in shipping goods from China to the US to ensure a smooth process and make international shipping more efficient and convenient.
Shipping method from China to the United States
Express Shipping from China to the USA
Express shipping is the fastest and most reliable way to ship small quantities of goods from China to the United States. The primary service providers include UPS, FedEx, TNT, and DHL. The shipping time is usually 1-5 days, suitable for small quantities of goods within 200-400 pounds. Although it is fast and reliable, the cost is high.
Air Shipping from China to the USA
Air freight is suitable for medium-sized shipments weighing between 400 and 1,200 pounds. It is 30% to 40% cheaper than express delivery and offers a good compromise between speed and cost. Transit time is 2 to 15 days, costing about 3 to 4 US dollars per pound. Air freight usually requires a customs broker and last-mile delivery from the airport to the warehouse. The process is more complicated than express delivery, but the cost-effectiveness is highe.
Sea Shipping from China to the USA
Sea freight is the most economical option for transporting large quantities of over 1,200 pounds. It usually takes more than 15 days to transport to the west coast of the United States and more than 30 days to the east coast. The cost is generally US$5,000-10,000 per container (as high as US$20,000 during the epidemic). For goods that are less than a full container, you can choose less than container load (LCL), but due to the additional loading and unloading fees, the cost is slightly higher, and the transportation time may be longer. Sea freight is suitable for large-volume cargo transportation that is not time-sensitive but has a low-cost budget.
Shipping Costs from China to the US
The shipping cost from China to the United States depends mainly on the goods’ weight, volume, and shipping method. The following are the average shipping costs for large quantities of goods.
Ocean freight costs vary depending on the container type and the transport mode. For a 20-foot full container, the cost is approximately 1,000–3,000; for a 40-foot full container, it is approximately 1,500–3,500; and for less than container load (LCL), it is approximately 30–100/cubic meters.
Air freight is calculated based on weight and usually ranges from 3-6/kg. Please note that the above prices are for reference only, and the actual shipping costs may vary due to market fluctuations, fuel surcharges, or other factors.
China to the USA Shipping Time
The transit time from China to the United States depends on the shipping method and is also affected by factors such as customs clearance, peak seasons, and port weather congestion. If you have high transit time requirements, we recommend Air Freight or Express. If cost is your priority, you can choose Ocean Freight.
| Shipping Method | East Coast | West Coast |
| Air Freight | 4-5 days | 2-3 days |
| Sea Freight | 30-40 days | 20-30 days |
| Courier (DHL, FedEx, UPS) | 3-5 days | 2-4 days |
Shipping from China to USA pricing
Air freight costs and rates from China to the USA
Standard air freight is the most economical option for shipments weighing 150 kilograms and 500 kilograms, making it the perfect choice for most shipping needs. However, very light shipments may be assessed based on volume rather than weight, offering a flexible solution for various requirements.
Air freight is unrivaled in terms of price and speed. Express air freight is slightly more expensive, but it’s worth the extra cost for those who need their shipments to arrive quickly.
Freight rates can vary significantly among freight forwarders, so it’s important to shop around and compare options to find the best deal.
LCL Ocean Freight can save you big bucks for oversized shipments and specific origin and destination pairs. So compare the various costs—you’ll be surprised how low shipping costs can be!
Ocean Freight Costs and Rates from China to USA
Ocean Freight is an excellent option for larger items, especially those weighing over 500 kg. Ocean Freight has impressive economies of scale (some ships can carry 20,000 20-foot containers!). However, it’s important to note that prices have risen since the summer of 2020. While it’s still a great option, it might not be as cost-effective as before the pandemic. Just like with air freight, the rates for ocean freight can vary a lot depending on the freight forwarder and the time of year. So, shopping around and comparing options is always a good idea before choosing a freight forwarder.
Freight forwarder from China to USA
Freight forwarding services from China to the United States provide a full range of logistics solutions, covering a variety of modes of transportation such as sea freight, air freight, railroad transportation, and express delivery to meet the transportation needs of different types of goods. Whether it is bulk cargo or high-value goods, freight forwarders can provide door-to-door, port-to-port, and other flexible services and assist in handling customs declaration, customs clearance, warehousing, and distribution. With a professional freight forwarder, customers can optimize transportation costs, shorten timeframes, and ensure that their goods arrive at their destinations in a safe and compliant manner. Choosing an experienced and full-service freight forwarder can effectively simplify the cross-border logistics process and enhance transportation efficiency.
By providing efficient and reliable logistics services, freight forwarders streamline international trade processes, reduce transportation costs, improve supply chain reliability, and facilitate trade between China and the United States. It is an essential force in promoting economic globalization. Its main responsibilities include：
- Transportation Solution Design: Select the optimal transportation method (such as Ocean Freight, Air Freight, or Rail) and plan the best route based on the characteristics of the goods and customer needs.
- Document Processing and Compliance: Responsible for preparing the documents required for customs declaration and clearance, as well as ensuring compliance with international trade regulations and the requirements of the destination country.
- Customs Declaration and Clearance Agency: This agency assists in completing import and export customs declaration procedures, pays customs duties and other taxes on behalf of others, and ensures smooth customs clearance of goods.
- Warehousing and distribution management: We provide warehousing, sorting, packaging, and last-mile delivery services to meet customers’ diverse needs.
- Cargo tracking and monitoring: Track the status of goods in real-time, promptly handle abnormal situations during transportation, and ensure that goods are delivered safely and on time.
- Risk management and insurance: Advise customers on purchasing transportation insurance and assist in handling issues such as damaged, lost, or delayed goods.
- Consulting services and cost optimization: Provide consulting services on logistics solutions to help customers reduce transportation costs and improve efficiency.
Related FAQ
How long is the ship from China to the US?
The shipping time from China to the United States is usually 15 to 40 days, depending on the distance between the port of departure and the port of destination. For example, it usually takes 15 to 20 days to travel from eastern China to the west coast of the United States and 30 to 40 days to the east coast.
Is China allowed to ship to USA?
Yes, China allows shipments to the United States. China is one of the world’s largest trading nations and has extensive trade ties with the United States. Many Chinese companies export goods to the United States using ocean freight, air freight, and other logistics methods, covering a variety of goods from electronics, machinery, and equipment to consumer goods.
Cheapest Shipping From China to the US
Ocean Freight is the cheapest way to ship from China to the United States and is especially suitable for shipping large quantities of non-urgent goods. Although the transit time is longer, its low cost and extensive coverage make it the preferred method of international trade.