Twings Supply Comprehensive Guide to Shipping
Shipping from China to the United States of America is done either through sea freight and/or air freight, followed by door-to-door shipping to get your import from China into your hands. With over two million TEUs (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units) flowing through US customs from China every month, the question isn’t how to ship a product from China but which method you should choose. Twings Supply boasts 20 years’ industry experience, making it the China freight forwarder partner for you.
To choose which shipping service meets your needs, you need to consider the weight and dimensions of your package, where its final destination is, and when you need it to reach its destination. Take a look at our comprehensive guide to the different shipping methods from China to the US, the factors that influence its price, and a breakdown of the shipping process.
Key Takeaways
- You have two options to ship from China to the USA: air freight and sea freight.
- Air freight is faster, more secure, and reliable, but it will cost you a premium.
- Sea freight is adapted for larger shipments, but it can take several weeks to travel between China and America.
- Shipping costs will vary, with factors like route, custom duties, global events, and fuel surcharges impacting shipping costs.
What are Your Shipping from China to the US Options?
| Type | Travel Time | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Freight | 1 to 10 days | Fast delivery for smaller shipments | Higher cost |
| Sea Freight (Consolidated Shipping) | 11 to 60 days | Cost-effective for large shipments | Long transit time |
| Air Express Shipping | 1 to 7 days | Fastest delivery option | Most expensive |
| Postal Parcels | 7 to 15 days | Affordable | Only useful for small shipment |
Air Freight
| Transit Time | Cost Range | Suitable for |
|---|---|---|
| 2 to 7 days | $6.5 to $12 per kilogram (100 to 1000 kgs) $6 to $10 per kilogram ( 1000 kgs+) | – Lightweight, high-value freight – Fast-perishing goods |
Air shipping from China to the USA has become increasingly popular, driven by global eCommerce demands for fashionable goods. Shipping by air is extraordinarily fast, often only taking between 2 and 7 days to make the journey from China to America. This can change based on the location your package is heading to, but it’s still far quicker than sea freight shipping.
However, choosing air freight from China to the USA will significantly increase your shipping logistics costs compared to sea freight costs. You can expect to pay between $3 tand $6 per kilogram up to the first 500 kg, with the cost of shipping rising to potentially even $17 for a 1000 kg shipment from China. If speed is a priority, then air freight is the shipping solution that is the most economical for medium-sized shipments.
What Is the Difference Between Air Freight and Air Express?
The difference between air freight and air express services is that air express shipping handles the pickup, customs clearance, and delivery of the shipment to your home, whereas air freight does not. Air express international shipping also will deliver your shipment 2 to 3 days earlier than traditional air freight. You can expect to pay for quicker and more convenient service at a premium, as air express can cost at least $7 per kilogram to ship and generally incurs additional costs as well.
Sea Freight
| Shipping Options | Lead Times | Cost Range | Suitability |
|---|---|---|---|
| LCL Lead Time | 15 to 60 days | $40 to $200 (per cubic meter) | Small shipments that require more flexibility |
| FCL 20 ft (GP) Lead Time | 11 to 55 days | $2,000 to $8,800 | High volumes |
| FCL 40 ft (HQ) Lead Time | 11 to 55 days | $2,500 to $12,000 | Maximum storage capacity |
Sea freight from China to USA shipping is by far the most dominant way to transport goods in today’s logistics industry. Container shipping presents you with an economical choice for freight, typically at least $5,000 for a full container load of items. Shipping rates may vary, depending on the customs and port your package from China goes through, but you can expect these prices to be included in the overall cost.
If you’re planning on sea shipping from China to the USA, you should keep in mind that shipping times can also be impacted by market dynamics — port congestion, political tensions, and policy changes between a port in China and the US can lead to shipping delays.
Postal Parcels
| Transit Time | Cost Range | Suitable for |
|---|---|---|
| 2 to 7 days | $20 to $80 (EMS service) $50 to $100+ (Express carriers) | – Low-priority shipments – Small packages |
Postal parcels are ideal for shipping small packages from China to the United States. They’re typically shipped through local and international postal services and make up for a low volume of shipments between the two countries. As a result, many shipments through postal services don’t have any urgent requirements or high speed.
What Factors Influence Shipping Costs from China to the USA?
Several factors influence shipping costs for freight from China to the United States, including:
- The method of shipment
- Distance
- Route taken
- Weight and volume
- Custom duties
- Fuel surcharges
- Seasonal cycles
- Global events
What is the Shipping Process from China to the USA?
The shipping process from China to the USA involves preparing documentation, choosing the right shipping method for your cargo, customs clearance, and final delivery. Let’s take a look at each option in-depth:
- Preparation and Documentation: To begin, choose a reliable supplier and negotiate terms with them. To do this efficiently, you’ll need to gather the necessary paperwork, including the commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, and certificate of origin. Lastly, ensure goods are properly packed and labeled with accurate information to prevent damage and meet customs requirements.
- Choose the Right Shipping Method: Your shipment will determine the type of freight shipping you require. Air freight is fast but expensive; it’s suitable for high-value or time-sensitive goods. Sea freight is cost-effective for large volumes with slower transit times. Express shipping is your fastest option, ideal for urgent shipments.
- Customs Clearance: You need to handle export documentation and compliance with Chinese regulations to export your shipment out of China. Then, file your required documents with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), such as the Import Security Filing (ISF) for sea freight. Finally, calculate and pay applicable duties and taxes based on the Harmonized System (HS) codes.
- Transportation and Delivery: Once goods are shipped to a U.S. port or airport, your shipments may be inspected, which can cause delays if documentation is incomplete or incorrect. If you manage your documents correctly, your goods are transported to their final destination via local carriers or freight services.
What are your Responsibilities as an Importer?
| International Commercial Terms | Supplier’s Responsibility | Importer’s (Your) Responsibility | Supplier Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| EX WORKS (EXW) | Up until you pick up the shipment from their facility | Exportation from China, freight transportation, importation & custom clearance into USA, final delivery | Lower |
| Free on Board (FOB) | Up until your shipment is exported to air/ocean freight | Freight transportation, importation & custom clearance into USA, final delivery | High |
| DPP (Delivery Duty Paid) | Up until your shipment arrives at your US delivery address | No responsibility | Very High |
Your responsibilities as an importer include understanding the different types of shipping methods available to you, knowing which documentation is required for your shipment, and understanding the International Commercial Terms (Incoterms). Incoterms are a set of 11 international rules that define your responsibilities as a seller or buyer.
They specify how responsible you are for organising your shipment’s logistics, including payment, insurance, documentations, and custom clearance. Some examples of Incoterms that Chinese suppliers may provide are:
- EX WORKS (EXW): Under EXW terms, the supplier’s responsibility for your shipment ends at their facility. This means that you, as a US importer, need to arrange the pick up of your shipment, transportation, customs clearance, and delivery to your final destination in the USA.
- Free on Board (FOB): Your responsbilities begin once the supplier loads your goods onto the vessel or aircraft. You’ll be responsible for the freight transportation, import customs clearance into the USA and the final inland transportation to the US.
- DPP (Delviery Duty Paid): The supplier takes most of the responsibility delivering the goods to your specified destination in the USA. This includes exporting the goods from China, freight transportation logistics, customs clearance, and the final delivery to your doorstep.
What are the Top Ports from China to the USA?
| Port (China) | Average Annual TEUs Processed | Port (USA) | Average Annual TEUs Processed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shanghai Port | 49 million | Port of Los Angeles | 8 million |
| Shenzhen Port | 29 million | Port of Long Beach | 8 million |
| Ningbo-Zhoushan Port | 35 million | Port of New York and New Jersey | 7 million |
| Guangzhou Port | 25 million | Port of Savannah | 5 million |
| Qingdao Port | 28 million |
Most shipping routes from China to the USA tend to travel out of and into one of the ports listed above, with occasional stops between the two. The complexities of international shipping can also complicate the route your freight takes.
What are the Major Challenges When Shipping from China to the USA?
You may encounter the following major challenges when shipping between China and the USA:
- Customs regulations
- Supply chain delays
- Variance in shipping costs
- Quality control issues
- Communication barrier
- Security
To help manage your shipping freight needs, consider Twings Supply as your China freight forward partner. Allow us to manage the complexities of logistics and customs and help you get your shipment to your door safely and securely.
Shipping from China to the USA FAQs
How can I reduce shipping costs from China to the USA?
You can reduce shipping costs from China to the US by choosing the right shipping method, leveraging shipping quotes from multiple carriers, and working with a freight forwarder to help you. Twings Supply is an expert freight forwarder that can provide you with freight forwarding solutions.
What is the difference between LCL and FCL shipping?
LCL stands for “less than container load” and describes when multiple companies and freight products are packaged together in one freight container. FCL, on the other hand, stands for full container load for freight shipping that uses a full 20- or 40-foot container.
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