Shipping costs from China to the USA explained

Table of Contents

China to the US shipping price comparison table

Shipping MethodCostDelivery TimeBest forOther Costs
Air Express (Courier Service)$5 to $10 per kg2-5 daysSmall, urgent shipmentsNo additional customs duties information
Air Freight$4 to $8 per kg (for goods over 100 kg)5-10 daysMedium-sized, time-sensitive shipmentsNo additional customs duties information
Sea Freight – LCL (Less than Container Load)$150 to $250 per cubic meter12-30 daysLarge, non-urgent shipmentsNo additional customs duties information
Sea Freight – FCL (Full Container Load)20-ft container: $2500 to $3500<br>40-ft container: $3500 to $450012-30 daysLarge, non-urgent shipmentsNo additional customs duties information
Air Freight Door-to-Door (DDP)Around $6 to $8 per kgSmall, urgent shipmentsIncludes customs duties
Sea Freight Door-to-Door (DDP)Around $1 to $2.5 per kgLarge, non-urgent shipmentsIncludes customs duties

How do you calculate shipping costs from China to the US?

Sea Freight Shipping Rate Calculation

Basic Freight

Sea Freight is mainly composed of Basic Freight and Surcharge. The introductory freight rate is usually calculated based on the billable ton (weight ton or foot ton, whichever is greater) of the shipment and the freight rate of the route. For example, for a 20-foot standard container (TEU) from Shanghai, China, to Los Angeles, US, if the base freight rate is US$1,000 / TEU, then the base freight rate for this container is US$1,000.

Surcharges

There are many types of surcharges, including fuel surcharges, port surcharges, peak season surcharges, etc. Bunker surcharge varies according to the fluctuation of international oil prices, and it is usually a certain percentage of the introductory freight rate, such as 10% – 30%. The port surcharge is charged according to the loading and unloading conditions and facilities, and the rate varies from port to port. Peak season surcharges are charged during peak transportation seasons (e.g. before and after e-commerce shopping festivals) to cope with port congestion and tight ship capacity.

Difference between FCL and LCL

In the case of FCL (Full Container Load) transportation, the freight rate is the introductory freight rate of one container plus various surcharges. While LCL (Less-than-Container Load) freight calculation is relatively complicated, it is based on the proportion of the actual volume or weight of the goods (usually in cubic meters or tons) to the volume or load of the whole container to apportion the freight rate of the container, plus LCL service fee and so on.

Air Freight Calculation

Chargeable Weight

Air Freight is calculated based on the chargeable weight of the shipment, which is the greater of the actual weight of the shipment and the volumetric weight (L × W × H ÷ 6000, in centimetres). For example, if the actual weight of a consignment is 10 kilograms and the volumetric weight is 12 kilograms (based on the volume), then the billable weight is 12 kilograms.

Freight Rates

Freight rates vary according to airlines, routes, types of cargo, and other factors. Generally speaking, Air Freight rates from China to the US are around $3 – $10 per kilogram, but the rates may be higher for high-value or special cargo (e.g., fresh perishables, hazardous chemicals, etc.). Air Freight rates are the billable weight multiplied by the shipping rate.

Other fees

may also include fuel surcharges, security surcharges, etc. Fuel surcharges are also subject to fluctuations in oil prices, and security surcharges are charged to cover the cost of security measures for Air Freight.

Factors affecting the cost of transportation from China to the US

Cargo weight and volume

The larger the weight and volume, the higher the transportation cost. In Sea Freight, the price is generally billed by weight tons for heavy cargo (a large proportion of weight); for light bubble cargo (a large proportion of volume), the cost is billed by size tons. Air freight is even more strictly based on the billing weight when calculating the price, so the size and weight of the goods significantly impact the freight cost.

Transportation Distance and Route

The transportation distance from different ports or cities in China to various destinations in the US varies, and so does the cost. Generally speaking, the distance from China’s east coast ports to the United States’ west coast is short, and the shipping cost will be slightly lower than that of the east coast. In addition, the shipping route will also affect the price. A direct flight may cost more than a route that requires transit, but the shipping time will be shorter.

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Transportation Method Choices

Costs vary significantly by shipping method. Sea Freight is a relatively low-cost mode of transportation for large-volume, time-insensitive shipments; Air Freight is more expensive but faster for high-value, time-sensitive shipments.

Cargo nature and packaging

Goods of special nature (e.g. hazardous chemicals, live and perishable goods, etc.) require special transportation conditions and equipment, which can increase transportation costs. Hazardous chemicals may require specialized packaging, marking and transport permits, and live and perishable goods require refrigeration or insulation equipment, all of which can lead to higher freight costs. In addition, the quality of the packaging of goods also affects freight rates. Suppose the packaging does not meet transportation requirements. In that case, it may need to be repackaged or easily damaged during transportation, resulting in higher compensation costs, which can drive up freight rates.

Market supply and demand and seasonal factors

During peak demand seasons in the transportation market (e.g., e-commerce promotion season, before traditional festivals, etc.), freight rates will rise due to the significant increase in demand for cargo transportation and the tight capacity of ships, aeroplanes and other means of transportation.

Choosing the Best Shipping Method to Reduce Shipping Costs from China to the USA

Choosing the correct shipping method is crucial to reducing shipping costs. When selecting a shipping method, it is essential to consider both the shipping time and the price. If shipping goods ahead of time will not cause problems such as inventory buildup and will result in significant savings in transportation costs, then a relatively slow but inexpensive mode of transportation can be chosen.

truck container shipping services and air freight

Comparison of Sea Freight and Air Freight Costs from China to the USA

Price Difference

Sea Freight price is relatively low. Generally speaking, the cost of shipping a 20-foot standard container by Sea Freight may be around US$1000 – US$3000 (the exact price varies depending on the route, season, etc.), while the cost of the same weight and volume of goods may reach tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of US dollars if Air Freight ships them.

Speed Differences

Air Freight is much faster than Sea Freight. Depending on the route and port, Sea Freight generally takes about 10 – 30 days to arrive in the US from China. Air Freight can come in 3 – 7 days. For urgently needed goods, the time advantage of Air Freight is undeniable.

Service Differences

Sea Freight’s service mainly focuses on port-to-port transportation. Inland extension service (such as transportation from port to inland destination) may require additional cost and time to arrange. Air Freight services are relatively more flexible. Some airlines and forwarders can provide door-to-door services, including door-to-door pickup and delivery, and are more timely and accurate regarding cargo tracking and other aspects.

How can we save on transportation costs from China to the USA?

Optimize Packaging of Goods

Optimized packaging can reduce the volume and weight of goods, thus reducing the freight cost. The volume can be reduced for light blister cargo through reasonable packaging design, such as compression and folding. At the same time, the packaging should ensure the safety of the goods to avoid damage during transportation so as not to incur additional compensation costs.

Choose the right transportation company and freight forwarder.

Different transportation companies and freight forwarders differ in price, service and other aspects. You can choose the most suitable partner by comparing several companies’ offers and service content. Some large and scale transportation companies and freight forwarders may have certain advantages in price, and the reliability and service quality in the transportation process are also higher. At the same time, selecting companies with a good reputation is essential to avoid problems such as transportation delays, loss or damage of goods.

You may want to know: How to Choose Best Freight Forwarder China to US

Optimize the transportation plan.

According to the market demand and production plan, arrange the transportation time of the goods reasonably. Avoid shipping goods in the peak transportation season and choose to transport goods in the off-season or when the market demand is relatively stable, which can reduce freight costs.

Cargo consolidation and consolidation

You can consider cargo consolidation with other enterprises if the cargo volume is small. In Sea Freight, cargo consolidation can share the cost of containers; in Air Freight, you can also reduce the unit cost of transportation by concentrating multiple small-volume cargoes through freight forwarders.

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