In a globalized economy, trade between China and the United States is becoming more frequent, and the demand for cargo transportation from China to the United States is growing. It is crucial for companies and individuals engaged in China and the US trade to understand key information such as different transportation methods, transportation time, costs, and how to choose a suitable transportation company.
China to the United States Shipping methods
Sea freight, air freight, and express delivery are the main shipping methods from China to the United States. Each method has advantages for different scenarios. The most important factors in choosing the correct shipping method are the type and quantity of goods, shipping costs, and timeliness.
Sea Freight from China to USA
Sea freight is the most common method of transport from China to the United States and is suitable for large quantities and heavy goods. Sea freight can be divided into FCL (full container load) and LCL (less than container load).
Less than Container Load (LCL)
LCL (less than container load) refers to transporting multiple consignors sharing a container. It is suitable for businesses with small quantities or limited budgets. Although LCL is cheaper, multiple consignors sharing a container may result in longer transit times. The most significant advantage of LCL is cost savings, which is suitable for small batches or the same type of goods.
Full Container Load (FCL)
Full Container Load (FCL) refers to a single owner renting a full container for transportation. It is suitable for transporting large quantities of goods and is usually faster and more expensive than LCL. Since the goods are not split during transportation, FCL transport provides better protection, making it especially suitable for high-value goods or goods with special transportation requirements.
How to choose a shipping container
The most common containers are 20ft and 40ft standard containers. 20ft containers are suitable for small to medium-sized batches, while 40ft containers can carry more goods and are suitable for transporting large batches. The choice should be based on the goods’ volume, weight, and transportation needs.
Major US ports
There are several major ports in the United States, such as Los Angeles, Long Beach, and New York. The ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach are located on the west coast of the United States and are one of the main gateways for Chinese goods entering the United States. They have convenient transportation and complete supporting facilities. The port of New York is located on the east coast of the United States and is an essential port of call for goods shipped to the eastern United States.
Air Freight from China to USA
Air freight is another standard mode of transportation. It is suitable for time-sensitive goods, especially high-value goods, perishables, or urgent orders. Air freight is faster than sea freight, but the cost is relatively high.
Major International Airports in the United States
Major international airports in the United States include Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), New York JFK International Airport (JFK), and Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD). These airports are major hubs for international flights and important receiving points for air freight.
China to US express delivery
Express delivery is convenient for minor, lightweight goods that must be delivered urgently. Major international express delivery companies include SF Express, DHL, FedEx, and UPS. Express delivery is usually suitable for samples, small goods, and urgent deliveries.
Shipping time from China to the US
The difference in shipping time varies by shipping method. Generally, shipping time from China to the United States by sea is usually 20 to 30 days. Air freight is usually 3 to 7 days, and express delivery takes 1 to 5 days, depending on the destination and shipping method.
| Shipping Method | Shipping Time From China to USA |
|---|---|
| Sea Freight (FCL & LCL) | 30-45 days |
| Air Freight | 3-7 days |
| Express Shipping | 2-5 days |
| Door to Door Shipping | 40–50 days |
How Long Does Sea Freight Take from China to the US?
The shipping time is 20 to 30 days, depending on the distance between the port of departure and the port of destination, as well as the weather and other uncontrollable factors during the voyage.The following are the detailed times for transport from China to various ports in the United States:
| POL (Port of China) | POL (Port of USA) | Transport time (days) |
|---|---|---|
| Shanghai | Los Angeles | 18-25 days |
| Shenzhen | Los Angeles | 18-25 days |
| Ningbo | Los Angeles | 18-24 days |
| Shanghai | Long Beach | 19-25 days |
| Shenzhen | Long Beach | 18-25 days |
| Ningbo | Long Beach | 19-25 days |
| Shanghai | New York | 21-30 days |
| Shenzhen | New York | 20-30 days |
| Ningbo | New York | 22-30 days |
| Shanghai | Savannah | 20-30 days |
| Shenzhen | Savannah | 20-29 days |
| Ningbo | Savannah | 21-30 days |
| Shanghai | Houston | 22-30 days |
| Shenzhen | Houston | 20-30 days |
| Ningbo | Houston | 20-30 days |
How long does shipping from China to the United States by air freight take?
Air freight is fast, and it usually only takes 3-7 days to ship from China to major cities in the United States. However, shipping times may be slightly longer for some remote areas or flights that require transfers.The following is the detailed time for air freight from China to various cities in USA:
| Departure Airport (China) | Arrival Airport (USA) | Transport time (days) |
| Shanghai | Los Angeles | 3-5 days |
| Guangzhou | Los Angeles | 3-5 days |
| Beijing | Los Angeles | 3-6 days |
| Shanghai | New York | 4-7 days |
| Guangzhou | New York | 5-7 days |
| Beijing | New York | 4-6 days |
| Shanghai | San Francisco | 3-5 days |
| Guangzhou | San Francisco | 3-6 days |
| Beijing | San Francisco | 3-6 days |
| Shanghai | Chicago | 4-7 days |
| Guangzhou | Chicago | 5-7 days |
| Beijing | Chicago | 4-7 days |
How long does it take for a package to be delivered from China to the United States?
The shipping time for express delivery services is usually between 1 and 5 days, depending on the specific requirements of the goods, the logistics company and the destination.
| Express | Working Days |
|---|---|
| FedEX (IP) | 2-3 (Good timing) |
| FedEx (IE) | 4-5 (Balance on cost and time) |
| UPS | 2-3 (Expensive) |
| DHL | 3-5 (Timing not as good as FedEx) |
| SF-express | 5-7 (Newbie, May delay) |
| China Post: Air | 7-15 (Faster than surface one) |
| China Post: SAL | 10-20 (Between Air and Surface) |
| China Post: Surface | 40-70 (Very slow) |
| China Post: EMS | 5-7 (Fast and safe) |
| China (ePacket/EUB) | 7-30 (Very cheap) |
Shipping cost from China to the United States
Shipping costs are an important factor that companies must consider when choosing a transportation method. Transportation costs are mainly calculated based on the method, the weight and volume of the goods, the destination, and the time requirements for transportation.For specific costs, please refer to the table below.
| Shipping Method | Shipping From China to USA (Cost) |
|---|---|
| Sea Shipping (20ft Container) | Approx. USD 2,750 for a 20ft container |
| Sea Shipping (40ft Container) | Approx. USD 3,350 for a 40ft container |
| Sea Shipping (LCL) | Approx. USD 120 per cubic meters (m3) |
| Air Freight Shipping | Approx. USD 650 for 100kg |
| Door to Door Shipping | Approx. USD 12 to 16 per kgs or approx. USD 140 – 220 per m3 |
| DDP Air Freight | Approx. USD 12 to 18 per kgs |
| DDP Sea Freight | Approx. USD 180 to 350 per cbm (m3) |
| Express Shipping | Approx. USD 15.5 per Kgs |
Sea Freight Costs from China to the USA
Sea Freight costs are relatively low, especially for bulk commodities. The main components of Sea Freight costs include shipping fees, port fees, transportation insurance fees, etc. LCL shipping costs are cheaper, while FCL shipping costs are relatively higher.
| POL (Port of China) | POL (Port of USA) | 20ft container cost | 40ft container cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shanghai | Port of New York | $2550-$4200 | $3500-$5500 |
| Shenzhen | Port of New York | $2300-$4300 | $3450-$5350 |
| Qingdao | Port of New York | $2650-$4650 | $3350-$5550 |
| Ningbo | Port of New York | $2500-$4500 | $3250-$5550 |
| Guangzhou | Port of New York | $2750-$4250 | $3450-$5600 |
| Tainjin | Port of New York | $3000-$4500 | $3500-$5800 |
| Shanghai | Port of Los Angeles | $2550-$4400 | $3500-$5200 |
| Shenzhen | Port of Los Angeles | $2400-$4200 | $3550-$5550 |
| Qingdao | Port of Los Angeles | $2750-$4550 | $3450-$5750 |
| Ningbo | Port of Los Angeles | $2600-$4300 | $3350-$5850 |
| Guangzhou | Port of Los Angeles | $2850-$4150 | $3550-$5600 |
| Tainjin | Port of Los Angeles | $3200-$4200 | $3800-$5600 |
Cost of shipping a container from China to the United States
The cost of shipping a container is mainly determined by its type, volume, and weight. Generally, the shipping cost of a 20-foot container is cheaper than that of a 40-foot container. Still, the specific cost of each container is affected by factors such as the shipping route and the destination port.
Shipping from Shanghai (LOW) | Shipping from Shanghai (HIGH) | Shipping from Ningbo (LOW) | Shipping from Ningbo (HIGH) | Shipping from Shenzhen (LOW) | Shipping from Shenzhen (HIGH) | |
| Shipping to Long Beach & Los Angeles | $1,200.00 | $1,450.00 | $1,200.00 | $1,450 | $1,100 | $1,400 |
| Shipping to Seattle | $1,200 | $1,450 | $1,200 | $1,450 | $1,100 | $1,400 |
| Shipping to Houston | $1,800 | $2,500 | $1,800 | $2,500 | $2,000 | $2,800 |
| Shipping to Chicago | $2,900 | $3,800 | $2,900 | $3,800 | $2,900 | $3,800 |
| Shipping to Newark (New York + New Jersey) | $1,600 | $2,300 | $1,600 | $2,300 | $1,600 | $2,300 |
| Shipping to Savannah | $1,600 | $2,300 | $1,600 | $2,300 | $1,600 | $2,300 |
Air freight costs from China to the USA
Air freight is relatively expensive and is usually calculated based on the weight or volume of the goods. The cost of air freight depends on factors such as the urgency of the shipment and the volume and weight of the goods. For specific costs, please refer to the table below. If you have any further questions, please get in touch with us.
| 45kg (↓LOW↓) | 45kg (↑HIGH↑) | 100kg (↓LOW↓) | 100kg (↑HIGH↑) | 200kg (↓LOW↓) | 200kg (↑HIGH↑) | 300kg (↓LOW↓) | 300kg (↑HIGH↑) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $4.48 | $8.43 | $2.68 | $7.00 | $2.68 | $7.00 | $2.52 | $6.72 |
Express delivery from China to the USA
International express delivery is generally more expensive than Sea Freight and Air Freight, especially when transporting urgent goods. The cost is calculated based on the weight, volume, and destination of the goods.
| Courier | Delivery Time | Tracking | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| HK Post – e-Express | 6 – 8 working days | Limited | $24.06 |
| HK Post Air Mail – Tracking | 7 – 13 working days | Limited | $26.89 |
| SF Express – E-Parcel Registered | 8 – 10 working days | Basic | $32.30 |
| Quantium – Q-Sure | 7 – 13 working days | Basic | $39.76 |
| Quantium – International ePAC | 15 – 25 working days | Basic | $40.14 |
| Quantium – Q-Smart | 14 – 20 working days | Basic | $41.48 |
| SF Express – Economy Express | 5 – 7 working days | Basic | $59.66 |
| Aramex – Parcel EPX | 10 – 15 working days | Basic | $48.39 |
| HK Post – Speedpost | 6 – 8 working days | Limited | $49.35 |
| HK Post – Air Parcel PE | 5 – 8 working days | Limited | $50.12 |
| SF Express – Standard Express | 4 – 7 working days | Basic | $59.66 |
| UPS Worldwide Saver® | 1 – 2 working days | Excellent | $65.41 |
| UPS Worldwide Expedited® | 3 – 7 working days | Excellent | $70.27 |
| Aramex – Parcel | 7 – 10 working days | Basic | $70.73 |
China to the USA shipping process and matters
- Obtain a quote: First, obtain a detailed quote from a freight forwarder or shipping company, including a breakdown of all fees, to avoid hidden costs later.
- Purchase freight insurance: Purchasing insurance for the goods can reduce the risks during transportation and ensure you can receive compensation if the goods are damaged or lost.
- Contact a customs broker: Customs clearance is an essential part of importing and exporting goods, and the assistance of a professional customs broker is required to ensure smooth customs clearance. Customs broker fees are determined based on factors such as the type and value of the goods.
- Customs clearance issues: The customs authorities of both China and the United States have strict regulatory requirements for imported and exported goods. It is essential to understand in advance the documents and procedures required for customs clearance, such as commercial invoices, packing lists, certificates of origin, etc., to ensure that the goods meet US import standards and avoid goods being held up or returned due to customs clearance issues.
The best shipping method from China to the United States
Choosing the best shipping method from China to the United States requires careful consideration of factors such as the characteristics of the goods (e.g., weight, volume, value, timeliness requirements), shipping costs, shipping time, and shipping risks. For large quantities of low-value goods that are not time-sensitive, Sea Freight Full Container Load (FCL) is a good choice; for small amounts of goods that are less time-sensitive, Sea Freight Less than Container Load (LCL) is more suitable; for urgent, high-value goods, Air freight is the first choice; and for small parcels and documents, express delivery services can provide convenient door-to-door transport.
In short, shipping goods from China to the United States involves knowledge and choices in many areas. In practice, a comprehensive analysis and weighing of the situation is required to select the most suitable shipping method and shipping company to ensure that the goods arrive at their destination safely, efficiently, and at a low cost.
