How to Import Furniture from China to the USA

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shipping from china to the us

Furniture Categories Imported from China

China is one of the largest sources of furniture imports to the US, providing a large volume of products, especially in some basic styles and price-sensitive furniture. Chinese furniture is inexpensive to manufacture and often designed with a focus on modernization and practicality, making Citan extreme seller in the US market. US consumers’ demand for furniture covers a wide range of products ,from budget to high-end customized products for the bedroom, living room, dining room, office, outdoors, and other areas.

Bedroom FurnitureBeds, Bedside Tables, Wardrobes, VanitiesWood, MDF, Solid wood, Modern styles, Focus on comfort and functionality
Living Room FurnitureSofas, Sofa Beds, Coffee Tables, TV Stands, Bookshelves, Display CabinetsFabric, Leather, Wood, Metal, Modern, minimalist, or classic styles
Dining Room FurnitureDining Tables, Dining Chairs, Sideboards, Bar Stools, Counter StoolsWood, Metal, Glass, Traditional to modern styles
Office FurnitureDesks, Office Chairs, Filing Cabinets, Conference TablesWood, Metal, Leather, Functional, Modern design
Storage FurnitureBookshelves, Storage Racks, Shoe Racks, Coat RacksWood, Metal, Glass, Simple and practical, Various designs
Outdoor FurnitureOutdoor Chairs, Tables, Rocking Chairs, Lounge Chairs, Umbrellas, PergolasAluminum, Steel, Wicker, Plastic, Weather-resistant, Outdoor use
Children’s FurnitureChildren’s Beds, Desks and Chairs, Toy CabinetsHigh safety standards, Fun designs, Bright colors
Multipurpose FurnitureSofa Beds, Foldable Furniture, Storage Sofas and Bed FramesFoldable, Storage features, Ideal for small spaces or multifunctional needs
Mirrors and Decorative FurnitureDecorative Mirrors, Wall Shelves, Wall HooksVarious styles and designs, Used for home decor
Kitchen FurnitureKitchen Islands, Kitchen CabinetsWood, Metal, Focus on storage and functionality

How to Choose China Furniture Manufacturer

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Choosing a reliable furniture manufacturer is the first step in the importation process and relates to key issues such as product quality, delivery time, and follow-up services. There are several factors to consider when choosing:

Qualification and credibility of the supplier

Certification and qualification: Choose a manufacturer with international certifications (e.g., ISO 9001, FSC certification, etc.) that can guarantee the quality and environmental standards of the furniture.

Company size and experience: Long-established companies with a good customer reputation are more reliable. You can check the supplier’s rating and business history through platforms such as Alibaba and Made-in-China.

Reference cases: Suppliers are asked to provide recommendations from existing customers or cases of past orders to ensure their production capacity and delivery capability.

Product quality and design

Product samples: Ask vendors to provide samples before bulk purchasing to ensure that products meet quality and design standards.

Customization options: If you need customized furniture, ensure the vendor meets your design and size needs.

Production capacity and delivery time

Please find out the supplier’s production capacity to ensure they can deliver on time.

Make sure the supplier can handle large orders and can deliver on time.

Price and payment terms

Compare prices among multiple suppliers and confirm payment methods (e.g., wire transfer, letter of credit, etc.).

Typically, a deposit is required for the initial transaction, with the balance due prior to or after shipment.

Central source countries of furniture imports

China is the world’s largest furniture exporter, and almost all major furniture-importing countries import large quantities of furniture from China. China’s furniture exports typically exceed $40 billion per year.

TimeTotal Furniture Imports into the UsaPercentage of ChinaFurniture imports from China (estimated)
2019About $27 billion40%-45%Approx. $10.8 – 12.15 billion
2020About $28 billion40%-45%Approx. $11.2 – $12.6 billion
2022About $31 billion37%-40%Approx. $11.4 – $12.4 billion
2023About $32 billion35%-40%Approx. $11.2 – $12.8 billion

Why import furniture from China?

Cost advantage

Low production cost: China’s furniture manufacturing industry has the advantage of large-scale production and low labor costs, so furniture is relatively cheap.

Mature supply chain: China has a well-developed manufacturing and supply chain system, which can provide cost-effective furniture products.

Wide variety

China’s furniture manufacturers offer a wide range of products, from low-end to high-end, to meet the needs of different markets.

Can provide customized services to adapt to the individual needs of different customers.

Fast production and delivery

China has well-established industrial facilities and production lines, which can process large orders quickly and have global transportation capability.

Supporting facilities are complete and usually provide one-stop service (production, packaging, transportation, etc.).Central source countries of furniture imports

Understanding USA import regulations and standards

The US has strict rules and standards for furniture imports to ensure that products meet safety, environmental, and health requirements. The following are some of the significant regulations and standards:

Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) of the US

Furniture in the US must comply with the CPSC’s safety standards, which include requirements for fire prevention, safety, labeling, and other aspects.

Children’s furniture, in particular, must meet strict safety standards to prevent potential safety hazards.

Environmental standards

California Proposition 65: If your furniture contains chemicals that may harm health (such as formaldehyde), it must comply with California’s Proposition 65 and be appropriately labeled.

Formaldehyde Release Standards: Furniture, especially wood furniture, must comply with the US Clean Air Act standards for formaldehyde release.

Import duties and taxes

The tariff and duty rates for imported furniture will vary depending on the material (e.g., wood, metal, plastic). To understand the tariff and duty rates for furniture, you must check the relevant information US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) released.

The HS code of imported furniture determines the tariff rate and related costs.

How do you ship from China to the USA?

Choose the transportation mode and route.

Sea Freight (FCL/LCL): Depending on the volume and quantity of the goods, choose either Full Container Load (FCL) or Less than Container Load (LCL). FCL is suitable for larger volumes of goods, while LCL is suitable for smaller volumes of goods.

Route Selection: The route starts from major ports in China (e.g., Shanghai, Ningbo, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Tianjin, etc.) and usually arrives at major ports in the USA (e.g., Los Angeles, Long Beach, New York, Charleston, etc.).

Preparation of goods and documents

Packaging: Ensure the goods meet the international Sea Freight standards and prevent damage during transportation.

Export Documents: including commercial invoices, packing lists, bills of ladings, customs export declaration documents, etc.

Import Documents: USA Customs requires detailed cargo information, including the product’s origin, HS code, commodity description, etc.

Select freight forwarder or carrier.

Arrange transportation through a freight forwarder or carrier to ensure it can provide Sea Freight service from China to the USA. You can choose an internationally recognized shipping company (such as Maersk, Mediterranean Shipping, Duffy, Evergreen, etc.) or a local freight forwarder.

Cargo loading and transportation

Ship Loading: Cargo is loaded into containers and transported by cargo ships. After loading, the cargo will go to the USA by Sea Freight.

Transportation Time: The Sea Freight time from China to the US is generally 14 to 30 days, depending on the distance between the departure and destination ports and the route arrangement.

Arrival at Usa port and customs clearance

Import Customs Clearance: After arriving in the United States, the goods need to be cleared through United States Customs. Importers must provide all necessary documents, including an invoice, packing list, bill of lading, etc.

Customs Fees and Duties: US Customs will charge duties based on the goods’ value, classification, and origin. The exact amount of duty depends on the product’s HS code.

The importer’s responsibility is to ensure that all US regulations are complied with when clearing customs and paying the relevant duties and fees.

Transshipment and Distribution of Goods

From Port to Destination: Once the goods have cleared customs, you can choose either ground or rail transportation to move them from the port to the final destination (e.g., warehouse or retailer). Trucking and rail transportation are commonly used modes.

Distribution Arrangement: Determine the time and method of final delivery to ensure the goods are delivered on time.

Final Delivery

When the goods are cleared through customs and transportation, they are delivered to the customer or distributor.

Precautions to be taken during transportation:

Insurance: Transportation insurance for goods is recommended to protect against possible losses during transportation.

Shipping Company Selection: Choosing a reliable shipping company can reduce problems during transportation. Learn about the company’s service quality and timeliness.

Transportation Costs: Sea Freight costs are usually calculated based on the weight, volume, destination, and mode of transportation of the goods. Different shipping companies and agents may offer different prices; it is better to do more comparisons.

Related Costs

  1. Sea Freight Cost: Calculated according to the goods’ weight, volume, and distance.
  2. Insurance fee: assessed according to cargo value and transportation risk.
  3. Terminal fee: including unloading and yard fee, etc.
  4. Customs fee: including tariff, clearance fee, import declaration, etc.
  5. Inland transportation cost: transportation cost from port to destination.

Shipping Costs for Furniture from China

Shipping costs for a 40-foot container from China to the US usually range from the following:

West Coast of Us (e.g., Los Angeles, Long Beach, etc.): between about $2,500 and $4,000.

East Coast of the USA (e.g., New York, Charleston, etc.): The cost generally increases due to the longer shipping distance, usually between US$3,000 and US$4,500.

Cost components

Basic Freight

Sea Freight Cost: Depends on the weight and volume of the goods and the transportation distance. Generally speaking, Sea Freight costs less than Air Freight.

Air Freight cost: Air Freight cost is usually calculated according to the volume or actual weight of the goods, and Air Freight is more expensive.

Insurance cost

To avoid possible losses during transportation, it is recommended that furniture be insured, and the insurance cost is usually a certain percentage of the transportation cost.

Tariffs and Taxes

USA Customs collects duties and taxes based on the HS code and import value of the furniture. Different types of furniture are subject to different rates, usually between 5% and 15%.

In addition to tariffs, there may be other import taxes and fees (e.g., sales tax, state tax, etc.).

Customs clearance fees

If you hire a customs clearance agent, you may need to pay a fee for the service. The customs clearance agent will help you prepare the customs declaration documents, pay the customs duties, etc.

Warehousing and Transportation Costs

If you need temporary warehousing at a US port, you may also need to pay warehousing fees.

Transportation costs (e.g., trucking) from the port to the destination warehouse or store.

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