Freight rates determine how much a transport cargo will cost from one point to another. These rates are determined by considering several factors, like the distance to the delivery destination, the dimensional weight of the cargo, the mode of transport, and the goods being shipped. If you are eager to learn more about the cost linked with shipping from China to the USA, this graphical guide has got you covered! In it, we will rely on real-time data to help you develop a better understanding of all the nitty-gritty details. So, without any further ado, let’s begin exploring!
Key Information to Know for Shipping from China to the USA
Let’s first review the recent changes to Entry Type 86 that you must be aware of. In Jan 2024, a new T86 clearance policy was introduced by the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) for personal parcel imports. It implies the following:
Requirement of Flight Arrival Information: Customs will change the release status only after obtaining flight arrival information.
HTS Codes’ Strict Review and Descriptions: CBP will now conduct strict reviews of the mismatched listings, HTS codes, and general product descriptions. This means CBP will ensure the HTS codes are accurate and the declared information matches the actual goods. Any false or misleading declaration will cause hassle for the seller. Moreover, generic descriptions, like clothing, kitchenware, accessories, etc., must be avoided. Instead, use clear and specific descriptions of products.
FDA-Regulated Goods: CBP has also imposed strict regulations on FDA-regulated goods, specifically medicine. According to the new policy, these products must not be imported via T86 clearance as B2C e-commerce parcels into the US.”
Express Shipping from China to the US
Express shipping is known for its speedy and efficient shipments, as it ensures faster delivery than any other standard shipping method. Carriers like FedEx, DHL, UPS, and USPS all have express shipping services. Thus, you can consider it an ideal choice for:
Time-Sensitive Shipments: It’s when the delivery deadlines are tight, and products must arrive on time.
High-Value Products: Express shipping offers added tracking features and security, so you can be at peace when delivering expensive goods.
Last-Minute Orders: Quick turnaround time is crucial for fulfilling last-minute orders and making your business more responsive and agile.
Express Shipping Price
The following are reference quotations for each weight range within 5kg and currency USD:
| Weight(g)Carriers | Country two-word code | 0-500 | 500-1000 | 1000-1500 | 1500-2000 | 2000-2500 | 2500-3000 | 3000-3500 | 3500-4000 | 4000-4500 | 4500-5000 |
| DHL | US | 24.18 | 27.64 | 28.69 | 32.27 | 36.95 | 40.27 | 42.91 | 46.76 | 50.63 | 54.48 |
| UPS | US | 24.38 | 28.27 | 32.31 | 36.4 | 40.26 | 44.42 | 48.5 | 52.7 | 56.68 | 60.88 |
| FedEx | US | 25.00 | 29.00 | 33.00 | 37.00 | 41.50 | 45.70 | 49.80 | 53.90 | 58.10 | 62.30 |
| USPS | US | 20.50 | 24.30 | 28.00 | 31.50 | 35.00 | 38.50 | 42.00 | 45.50 | 49.00 | 52.50 |
China Post Small Packet from China to the US
China Post provides an economical option for small parcels weighing less than 2kg. Though slower, it is cost-effective for lightweight shipments. Following are a few shipping options for China to USA shipments:
ePacket: A reliable and swift means for sending parcels under 2kg weight. It’s specifically designed for commercial merchants and also offers end-to-end tracking.
China Post Small Packet Plus: With an average delivery time of 20 to 60 days, this service is also commonly chosen for packages under 2kg. However, these shipments are only trackable when in transit through China.
China Post EMS (Express Mail Service): It’s an express service of China Post that allows for swift shipments with tracking, door-to-door delivery service, and insurance coverage.
| No. | Service Product | Total Cost | Standard Cost | First Weight Cost | Additional Weight Cost | Registration Fee | Value-Added Services |
| 1 | ePacket | $16.14 | $16.14 | 3.16 USD/1g | 0.095 RMB/g | 0 | 0 |
| 2 | China Post Small Packet Plus | $4.70–$6.70 | $4.70–$6.70 | 3.40 USD/100g | 0.23 RMB/g | 0 | 0 |
| 3 | China Post EMS | $20.50–$40.00 | $20.50–$40.00 | 20.50 USD/500g | 0.15-0.20 RMB/g | 0 | 0 |
3PL Dedicated Shipping Line from China to the US
Aside from partnering with a specific carrier, you can also consider 3PL Dedicated Shipping Lines from China to the US. These services offer comprehensive packages, including order fulfillment, packaging, and much more. Following are some of the impressive options on the market:
NextSmartShip: This 3PL service specializes in eCommerce fulfillment and personalized solutions for small to medium-sized businesses. It offers warehousing, pick-and-pack, inventory management, and global shipping. It has partnered with major shipping carriers, like USPS, UPS, FedEx, DHL, and local couriers, for global delivery. Regarding shipping time, standard shipping takes around 10-20 business days, whereas express shipping takes 3-7 business days.
4PX: This platform, which is mainly focused on cross-border e-commerce, is another leading Chinese 3PL provider. Its services include last-mile delivery, international shipping, and warehousing. Shipping carriers are USPS, Royal Mail, Deutsche Post, and local postal services. You can expect a 4PX parcel to be delivered in 12-20 business days for economy shipment and 6-12 business days for express shipment.
YunExpress: Next, we have a 3PL service specializing in B2C e-commerce logistics. It offers reliable and affordable delivery solutions with exclusive services like parcel tracking, customs clearance, and last-mile delivery. It partners with multiple local postal services and carriers, like USPS, Canada Post, and Royal Mail. With YunExpress, you can expect a Standard parcel to be delivered in 8-15 business days and an express one in 5-10 business days (may vary depending on destination).
Yanwen: Another 3PL service offering cross-border logistics solutions, including warehousing, shipping, and parcel tracking. It’s quite popular among Chinese merchants. The main carriers for this service include China Post, USPS, and local postal networks worldwide. Economy shipments with Yanwen take 15-25 business days, and expedited ones take 8-15 business days.
3PL Dedicated Shipping Line Prices
The following are reference quotations for each weight range within 5kg in USD currency:
| Weight(g) | Country two-word code | 200 | 500 | 1000 | 1500 | 2000 | 2500 | 3000 | 3500 | 4000 | 4500 | 5000 |
| Normal Economic | US | 6.15 | 10.48 | 16.24 | 22.71 | 29.6 | 34.39 | 40.87 | 47.34 | 53.81 | 60.29 | 66.75 |
| Electric Economic | US | 6.33 | 11.27 | 18 | 26.24 | 34.48 | 42.72 | 50.96 | 59.2 | 67.44 | 75.67 | 83.91 |
| Normal Expedited | US | 6.57 | 14.13 | 19.85 | 25.57 | 31.28 | 36.58 | 42.75 | 48.86 | 54.99 | 61.13 | 67.27 |
| Electric Expedited | US | 7.55 | 15.01 | 21.44 | 27.86 | 34.29 | 38.15 | 44.58 | 51 | 57.43 | 63.86 | 70.29 |
Air Freight Shipping from China to the US
Air freight refers to the commercial transportation of goods via air. When shipping from China to the US via Air freight, one must choose the right forwarder based on the specific business requirements. Key factors to consider include:
Competitive Pricing and Transit Times: Your forwarder must offer transparent pricing and negotiable space on aircraft at competitive prices. You must also favor minimized transit times.
Custom Expertise: Expertise in handling both Chinese and US customs regulations is essential to prevent delays and extra charges. So, be sure to check that, too.
Network Reach: Forwarder should have partnerships or collaborations with airlines and access to diverse range of flight options to and from China and USA airports.
Air Freight Shipping Price
| Weight Range (kg) | Scheduled Air Freight (USD/kg) | Express Air Freight (USD/kg) | Regular Air Freight (USD/kg) |
| Within 10 | 268.8 per order | 190.4 per order | 148.4 per order |
| Below 45 | 7.92 | 7.36 | 5.68 |
| Above 45 | 6.52 | 5.68 | 5.4 |
| Above 100 | 4 | 3.58 | 3.16 |
| Above 300 | 3.72 | 3.44 | 3.16 |
| Above 500 | 3.44 | 3.16 | 2.88 |
| Above 1000 | 3.19 | 2.83 | 2.6 |
Sea Freight Shipping from China to the US
Lastly, we have sea freight shipping, which is considered a cost-effective means of transporting shipments internationally. When shipping from China to the US, you can choose between two options: Less Than Container Load (LCL) and Full Container Load (FCL). LCL will cost you 382 USD per CBM to the West Coast region of the United States, and Ocean Freight FCL will cost 9050 USD for 40 HQ.
| Destination Port | Shipping Channel | Warehouse Code | Shenzhen (21–100KG / 100KG+) | Shanghai (21–100KG / 100KG+) | Ningbo (21–100KG / 100KG+) | Xiamen (21–100KG / 100KG+) | Qingdao (21–100KG / 100KG+) | Reference Transit Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LB | Meisen Flash Sea Delivery (Meisen Regular CLX) | Postcode 8, 9 prefixes | 18.2 / 14.2 | 13.7 / 14.2 | 17.7 / 13.7 | 18.2 / 14.2 | 18.2 / 14.2 | 18 calendar days |
| Shenzhen: Meisen Flash Sea Delivery | Postcode 4, 5, 6, 7 prefixes | 19.7 / 15.7 | 15.2 / 15.2 | 19.2 / 15.2 | 19.7 / 15.7 | 19.7 / 15.7 | ||
| Shenzhen: Meisen Flash Sea Delivery | Postcode 0, 1, 2, 3 prefixes | 20.7 / 16.7 | 16.2 / 16.2 | 20.2 / 16.2 | 20.7 / 16.7 | 20.7 / 16.7 | ||
| LA/LB | On-time Sea Delivery | Postcode 8, 9 prefixes | 14.7 / 10.7 | 10.1 / — | — / — | — / — | — / — | 21 calendar days |
| Shenzhen: On-time Sea Delivery | Postcode 4, 5, 6, 7 prefixes | 16.7 / 12.7 | 12.1 / — | — / — | — / — | — / — | ||
| Shanghai: On-time Sea Delivery | Postcode 0, 1, 2, 3 prefixes | 17.7 / 13.7 | 13.1 / — | — / — | — / — | — / — | ||
| LA/LB | U.S. Sea Delivery | Postcode 8, 9 prefixes | 12.9 / 8.9 | 9.9 / 9.9 | 13.8 / 9.8 | 13.4 / 9.4 | 13.4 / 9.4 | 25 calendar days |
| Shenzhen: U.S. Sea Delivery | Postcode 4, 5, 6, 7 prefixes | 14.9 / 10.9 | 11.9 / 11.9 | 16 / 12 | 15.4 / 11.4 | 15.4 / 11.4 | ||
| Shanghai: U.S. Sea Delivery | Postcode 0, 1, 2, 3 prefixes | 15.9 / 11.9 | 12.9 / 12.9 | 17.1 / 13.1 | 16.9 / 12.4 | 16.4 / 12.4 |
The following are the key factors that you must consider when choosing a sea freight forwarder:
Networking: Your forwarder must have strong, established networks, with chains spreading across different routes for flexibility.
Expertise in Handling Documentation and Customs: The more experience your forwarder has, the more likely you are to avoid penalties and delays.
Industry Reputation: Choose a forwarder with positive reviews and a reliable track record. You can browse customer reviews to better understand their weaknesses and strengths.
Offered Services: Double-check if your forwarder offers all the necessary services. These may include door-to-door deliveries and customs clearance.
Shipping from China to the USA Pricing
Let’s now examine the price difference between all the shipping methods discussed earlier. This will help you make an informed decision.
| Shipping Mode | Pricing Details |
| Express Shipping | Around $3 per kg for shipments between 150–500 kg |
| China Post | Around ¥5.50–¥7.00 per 20 grams (approximately $0.75–$1) for small parcels under 2 kg |
| 3PL Dedicated Shipping Lines | Costs vary, but they offer tailored pricing, which is typically competitive for mid-sized shipments. |
| Air Freight | Around $5.30–$9.50 per kg for shipments over 1,000 kg |
| Sea Freight | Around $2,000–$3,800 for a 20-foot container and $2,600–$4,500 for a 40-foot container |
How Long Does It Take from China to the USA?
It depends on the shipping mode you choose. Here’s the breakdown of transit times and suitability of different shipping modes discussed above:
| Shipping Mode | Transit Time | Suitability |
| Express Shipping | 1 to 3 days | The quickest yet most expensive means |
| China Post | 15 to 30 days | Suitable for packages under 2kg |
| 3PL Dedicated Shipping Lines | 7 to 15 days | Ideal for those wanting to skip the hassle of order fulfillment |
| Air Freight | 2 to 7 days | Offers a good balance between cost and speed for time-sensitive or high-value goods |
| Sea Freight | 23 to 30 days | Cost-effective for larger shipments |
Factors that Might Affect Shipping Time from China to the USA
Several factors can affect the shipping time from China to the USA. Here’s a brief overview of those causing the most issues:
Geographical Route
As China and the USA are vast geographical distances apart, the shipping route you use can greatly impact your shipping time. That said, you can expect shipments to East Coast ports, like New York, to take longer than those destined for West Coast ports, like Los Angeles. It all depends on the routes your carrier chooses.
Shipping Method
Secondly, your shipping method also impacts the shipping time. Though air freight is faster, it’s more expensive than ocean freight, which has longer transit times yet an economical shipping price. Other factors like size and weight of shipment can also influence your choice of shipping mode and, thus, the shipping time.
Custom Clearance
Any delay in customs can add to the shipping time. So, ensure all your documents are accurate and well-prepared beforehand to avoid any potential delays. In this case, you can also get help from a reliable freight forwarder who is experienced in minimizing potential disruptions and streamlining the entire clearance process.
Port Congestion
Adverse weather conditions, increased demands, or other factors can cause disruptions at major airports, which can significantly increase shipping times. Though you can minimize these delays, staying updated can help you anticipate them and schedule your shipments accordingly.
Peak Seasons and Holidays
Whether it’s Chinese New Year, Golden Week, or any other event, like the Christmas shopping season in the USA, shipping times will greatly vary. So, ensure to plan ahead of these events to mitigate all sorts of potential delays.
What’s the Cheapest Shipping Option from China to the US?
There’s not one answer to the question, as the choice of the cheapest shipping option from China to the US varies with factors like weight, size, and speed requirements. For instance, if you want to ship bulky goods, you can prefer sea freight as it’s the cheapest, but it will take longer than any other means to transfer your goods. On the other hand, if time is an issue for you, you can ship the same goods by air freight. The same goes for other means. In the end, you need to balance between cost and maximum shipping time so you can afford to find the best and cheapest shipping means for your shipments.
Get the Best Shipping Rate from China to the US with NextSmartShip
By now, we have discussed five different means of shipping from China to the US. However, if we had to choose one based on the excellence of all factors, we would recommend getting partnered with a 3PL service, specifically NextSmartShip. This platform has emerged as a backbone for medium-sized businesses, helping them reach the global market and expand their horizon. It has several impressive features that make it the best bet for any sort of shipment. Let’s have a look at a few of them:
Global Networks: NSS has global networks spread across 220 countries and can handle a diverse spectrum of products. So, be it an oversized package or a small home appliance, you can ship it efficiently with one of NSS’s 400+ shipping channels.
Carrier Perks: NextSmartShip also offers exclusive perks with DHL, FedEx, UPS, and USPS first-level agents to minimize costs. These perks include free residential and remote surcharges.
Custom Shipping Solutions: NSS offers tailored routes to ensure cost-effectiveness for customers when meeting their specific needs. Moreover, their team is responsive, so whatever query you have in mind, you can ask them right away.
Strategic Partnerships: When collaborating with NSS, you can also enjoy VIP access to the top providers, like Yanwen, 4PX, Cainiao, JD Worldwide, and SF Express. This will help offer competitive shipping rates to your customers.
But that’s not all! NextSmartShip also offers order fulfillment and inventory management services. You can partner with them, letting them handle all the chaos involved in order fulfillment while you work on improving the quality of your products or coming up with new product ideas. Visit their website for more details or to get a quote for your business.
Conclusion
Shipping from China to the US is one of the most discussed topics in the shipping industry, as China is the manufacturing hub, whereas the US is one of its major markets. Several businesses tend to ship their goods from China to multiple US cities. However, the choice of the right shipping mode with respect to pricing and price can always be difficult. So, why mess up with anything when you have the choice to leave shipping in the experienced hands of 3PL services like NextSmartShip? These services will handle all the hassle for you when offering real-time tracking updates, access to global markets, and budget-friendly pricing. Visit NSS’s website to explore more exclusive details.
