COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE TO SHIPPING FROM CHINA TO THE UNITED STATES
Shipping Methods & Transit Times
Air Freight: 1 day
Sea Freight: US West Coast: 15-18 days, US East Coast: 30 days
Sea Freight from China to the U.S.
Estimated Costs:
LCL (Less than Container Load): USD 80/CBM
20ft container (FCL): USD 1000
40ft container (FCL): USD1500-2000
Note: Ocean freight rates fluctuate. For the most up-to-date pricing, please contact us. Once you submit a request, we’ll send you a detailed quotation within 24 hours.
Key Factors Influencing Rates:
Seasonality: Costs tend to rise during peak periods (holidays, shopping seasons, and stockpiling times).
Route selection: Different shipping lanes and transshipment ports affect pricing.
Container type: 20ft, 40ft, and 40ft HQ containers are priced differently.
Cargo type: Dangerous goods, refrigerated cargo, and other special shipments often require additional surcharges.
Major Ports:
China: Shenzhen, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Tianjin, Ningbo
U.S. West Coast:
Port of Los Angeles – the largest port in the U.S., mainly handling containerized cargo.
Port of Long Beach – adjacent to Los Angeles, the nation’s second-busiest container port.
Seattle–Tacoma (Northwest Seaport Alliance) – key trade gateway for the Pacific Northwest.
Port of Oakland – main hub for the San Francisco Bay Area, handling significant Asia–U.S. trade.
U.S. East Coast:
Port of New York & New Jersey – largest on the East Coast, handling containers, petroleum, autos, and more.
Port of Savannah – one of the busiest in the Southeast with high container throughput.
Port of Charleston – a key hub for containers and automobile exports.
Air Freight from China to the U.S.
Estimated Costs: USD2.5-2.9/KG
Cost Drivers:
Chargeable weight: Airlines charge by actual or volumetric weight (L×W×H ÷ 6000/5000). Bulky light cargo may cost more than dense cargo.
Routes & destinations: Direct flights are pricier than transit routes; remote or restricted destinations also cost more.
Fuel prices: Oil price fluctuations affect airline fuel surcharges.
Airline policies: Security fees, handling fees, dangerous goods surcharges, and oversized cargo charges vary.
Customs & clearance: Export clearance in China and import clearance in the U.S. add to total costs.
Seasonality: Prices rise during peak demand (Black Friday, Christmas, Singles’ Day) and drop in off-peak periods.
Special cargo: Hazardous goods, perishables, and temperature-sensitive shipments require special handling.
Major Airports:
China: Shanghai Pudong (PVG), Beijing Capital (PEK), Guangzhou Baiyun (CAN), Hong Kong (HKG), Shenzhen Bao’an (SZX)
U.S.:
Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta (ATL) – one of the busiest airports globally, Delta’s main hub.
Los Angeles (LAX) – the largest U.S. West Coast gateway to Asia and Europe.
Chicago O’Hare (ORD) – third-busiest U.S. airport, hub for United and American Airlines.
Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) – American Airlines’ headquarters and a major Southern hub.
New York JFK – one of the most important U.S. international gateways, linking Europe, Asia, and Latin America.
Export & Import Taxes
In China (Export Stage)
VAT refund: Exporters may apply for VAT refunds after shipment, reducing costs.
Export duties: Most goods are exempt, though certain products may require duties or permits.
Other fees: Inspections and quarantine fees may apply depending on product type.
In the U.S. (Import Stage)
Tariffs:
MFN Tariff: Standard WTO member rates under HTSUS.
Anti-dumping duties (AD): Imposed on goods sold below fair market value.
Countervailing duties (CVD): Applied when foreign governments subsidize exports.
Additional tariffs: Section 301 (China tariffs), Section 232 (steel/aluminum), etc.
Excise Taxes:
Levied on goods like alcohol, tobacco, and fuel (rates vary by product type).
Sales/Use Taxes:
No federal VAT in the U.S., but some states charge use tax (similar to sales tax, usually 4%–10%).
Customs Fees:
Merchandise Processing Fee (MPF): 0.3464% of declared value (min $29.66, max $575.35).
Harbor Maintenance Fee (HMF): 0.125% on ocean imports.
State & Local Taxes:
Some states impose additional taxes aligned with their sales tax.
Reference: U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) websites provide detailed HTSUS codes and rates.
U.S. Anti-Dumping Duties on Chinese Goods
Chemicals & industrial materials:
Alkyl phosphate esters: 247.29% (2024 ruling)
Epoxy resins: 344.45%
High-pressure cylinders: 6.62%–32.21%
Renewables & solar products:
Polysilicon & wafers: 50% + Section 301 duties
Solar modules/cells: up to 60% (combination of Section 201, 301, AD, and CVD duties)
Metals & building materials:
Tungsten products: 25% (from Jan 2025)
Plywood: 63.96%
Tin-plated steel: 122.5%
Steel pipe fittings: 182.9%
Copper tubing: 60.5%
Consumer & industrial goods:
Quartz countertops: AD 341.29% + CVD 45.32%–190.99%
Tires: 19.17%–87.99%
Laminate flooring: 58.84%
Key Trend: The U.S. often stacks multiple tariffs (201, 301, AD, CVD), raising effective duty rates. Since 2024, similar anti-dumping probes have also expanded to Southeast Asian countries.
Business Strategies:
Use transshipment through Southeast Asia to qualify for new certificates of origin.
Adjust product specs to meet U.S. certification standards, reducing compliance risks.
Always verify HS codes and tariff rates on the USITC website.
Step-by-Step Shipping Process
Prepare cargo & documents
Ensure compliance with U.S. standards for safety, health, and quality.
Gather invoices, packing lists, contracts, certificates of origin, and special licenses.
Some goods require pre-filing documents before departure.
Choose transport & arrange logistics
Select sea or air freight based on cargo type, volume, and urgency.
Partner with experienced freight forwarders and customs brokers.
Import Security Filing (ISF)
Mandatory before cargo leaves a Chinese port.
HS codes must be accurate, as they determine duty rates and required documents.
Customs inspection & duty payment
U.S. Customs may conduct random or full inspections.
Duties and taxes must be paid before release.
Missing or incorrect documents can delay clearance.
Release & final delivery
Cargo may be held in bonded warehouses at U.S. ports/airports.
Once cleared, importers or logistics providers arrange final delivery.