Twings Supply Comprehensive Guide
You can easily ship cargo from China to the USA using air freight shipping, as long as you have the right documentation and knowledge of air shipping cost quotes. This shipping method has exploded in popularity in recent years, mainly thanks to fast-moving product companies like Shein and Temu. If you want to know how to import from China to America, there’s no better freight forwarding partner than Twings Supply — the winged tiger of the East.
Key Takeaways
- Air freight shipping uses aircraft to manage the transportation of freight goods.
- Air freight is quicker, safer, and more reliable than sea freight options, but it’s more expensive for businesses.
- Standard air freight may cost between $3.30 and $6.10 per kilogram (for shipments between 150 and 500 kilograms).
- It typically takes between 2 and 7 days for your shipment to travel from China to the USA via air freight.
What is Air Freight Shipping?
Air freight shipping is simply the transportation of freight goods using aircraft. It’s commonly used by businesses across the world, but especially from China to the US, as a way to quickly and securely transport consumer goods. While shipping from China to the US is dominated by sea freight, air freight still accounts for around 32% of international trade between these two countries.
What are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Air Freight Shipping?
Air freight from China to the US delivers speed, reliability, and global reach with advanced security, making it ideal for urgent shipments. However, it comes at a premium price, with stricter regulations, limited capacity, higher insurance costs, and a greater environmental footprint than sea freight.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| Speed: Air freight takes between 3 and 5 days to deliver your goods from China to the US, 7 times quicker than sea freight. | Expensive: Standard air freight is significantly more expensive than sea freight shipping service options. |
| Reliable: Flight timing for air freight is extremely strict and less prone to port delays. | Environmental Impact: Air cargo from China produces more carbon emissions per kilogram of shipment than ocean freight. |
| Global: Air freight is a truly international shipping option, with direct access to global airports. | Capacity: While air freight capacity can vary, your shipment from China will be limited to between 5 and 25 metric tons. |
| Secure: You can ship goods securely with air freight — not only because of reduced shipping times but also the strict regulations that surround air transportation like the Air Cargo Screening Program. | Regulations: Certain materials cannot be transported from China to the United States using air freight, including hazardous materials. |
| Higher Insurance Premium: Air freight insurance typically costs 0.3% to 0.5% of the invoice value, which is higher than the 0.1% to 0.3% asked of sea freight. |
How much does Air Shipping from China to the USA Cost?
| Air Freight Type | Average Cost (per kg) |
|---|---|
| Standard Air Freight | $6 to $12 |
| Express Air Freight | $9.82 to $15.73 ($15+ for urgent shipping rates) |
| Door-to-Door Services (Additional) | $8 to $12 |
Air freight rates from China to the US can cost between $3 and $15 per kilogram, depending on the volume of your shipment, the shipping route from China to the States, and the time you want the delivery to take. Premium services like air express freight and door-to-door services can offer quicker delivery time and more convenience, but increase the freight quote when shipping via air.
How is Air Freight Weight Calculated?
Air freight weight is calculated in three different ways: actual weight, volumetric weight, and the chargeable weight. Actual weight is the physical weight of the air cargo you are planning to transport, measured in kilograms (kg).
Volumetric weight is the dimensional weight of your shipment. You can calculate the volumetric weight of your shipment using the following formula:
Volumetric Weight (kg) = [Length (cm) x Width (cm) x Height (cm)]/5000
To calculate the approximate air freight charges you can expect to pay to ship goods from China, you’ll need to know the chargeable weight of your cargo. The chargeable weight is whichever is higher between the actual weight and volumetric weight of your shipment.
The weight of your shipment isn’t the only thing that can affect the shipping cost from China, with other variable costs like fuel prices, seasonal demand, and additional service fees increasing the cost. To minimize your risk of being overcharged, using a China freight forwarder shipping agent like Twings Supply can save you costs.
What Affects Air Freight Rates?
There are several factors that would affect that air freight rate that you will be charged for your shipment. Modern economic conditions play a considerable role in shifting rates over time. Currently, many air freight rates are still being impacted by the 2019 pandemic and have not resumed to pre-pandemic levels.
An increase in demand, especially from e-commerce platforms like Temu and TikTok, have led there to be additional pressure on air freight prices due to a shortage of airplanes.
How long does Air Freight from China to the US Take?
We’ve outlined the average transit times for air freight from China to the US below:
| Air Freight Flight Path | Average Annual Volume of TEUs | Average Transit Time | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Origin | Destination | ||
| Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) | Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) | 4 million metric tons | 1 to 3 days |
| Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) | Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) | 2 million metric tons | 4 days |
| Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN) | Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) | 1 million metric tons | 6 days |
| Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport (SZX) | John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) | 1.5 million metric tons | 5 days |
| Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) | Anchorage, Alaska (ANC) | 5 million metric tons | 3 to 5 days |
Not accounting for air express shipping, the air freight shipping process takes between 1 and 7 days to navigate the Pacific Ocean from China to the USA. This can vary depending on the route the air freighter takes, its model, and whether the flight is direct or transit. The city in China that the freighter is leaving from also makes a difference, with flights from Shanghai being generally shorter than flights from Hong Kong. Similarly, there are several secondary airports that serve as transshipment points that your shipment will stop between before being delivered to your home.
To guarantee that your products from China arrive swiftly, you may also consider expediting the time by opting for express shipping from China. Express air freight is quicker than standard, typically arriving within 1 to 3 days. Overall, air freight is a much faster way for a business to import goods from China than sea freight (which can take between 22 and 35 days to arrive).
What Documentation do you need for Air Freight Shipping?
You need the following documents if you plan to use air freight services to take your shipment from China to the United States:
- Invoice
- Packing List
- Air Waybill
- Arrival Notice
Depending on the type of cargo and the destination within the USA, you may also need the following to get through US customs smoothly:
- Customs Declaration Form
- Invoice
- Packing List
- Sales Contract
- Invoice
- Packing List
- Bill of Lading
You can gain a better understanding of the types of documentation you may need when shipping between China and the USA by taking a look at the US Customs and Border Protection website for importers and exporters.
How to Choose the Right Air Freight Forwarder for Your Shipment
The right air freight forwarder will save you costs, ensure your shipment is delivered safely and smoothly, and meet your demands for customer satisfaction. Twings Supply offers you over 20 years of experience as a China freight forwarder with sea freight, air freight, and door-to-door services. Whether it’s to or from China, there’s no better partner to manage the complexities of air and sea freight than our team at Twings Supply.
Let us handle the complicated logistics for your company, so you can comfortably carry on with your business. You’re welcome to contact us and receive a free quote today — we’ll respond in 24 hours.
Air Freight from China to the USA FAQs
How do you calculate air freight cost per kg?
To calculate the air freight cost per kg for your shipment, take the volumetric weight and determine the chargeable weight. Multiply this weight by the shipping rate, and you’ll receive the total cost of your shipment by air freight. This doesn’t include any extra costs like customs, duties, taxes, and additional services.
When should you choose air freight shipping over sea freight?
You should choose air freight over sea freight if your shipment needs to be transported quickly. For example, if you require an emergency supply of materials or products, or have a perishable shipment, then using air freight is worth the cost over sea freight which can take up to a month to deliver.
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