Shipping from China to the USA
Choosing the right China to USA shipping method depends on how fast you need the cargo and how much control you want over landed cost. Air freight is fastest — typically 3–7 days at $5.00–7.50 per kg depending on weight, route and cargo. Sea freight is the cost-effective default: roughly 25–35 days, with LCL around $80–160 per CBM and 20ft containers starting near $4,500–6,500 depending on the coast.
For importers who want fewer customs and delivery issues, DDP shipping from China to the USA is the simpler choice — pickup in China, freight, customs clearance, duties and door delivery, all from one partner at one all-in price. Your final rate depends on cargo weight, CBM, product type, pickup city and U.S. delivery address.
Sea freight from China to United States
| Route | Transit | Reference price |
|---|---|---|
| Shenzhen/Guangzhou → Los Angeles | 20–28 days | 20ft from ~$4,800 · 40HQ from ~$7,200＊ |
| Shenzhen/Guangzhou → New York | 28–38 days | 20ft from ~$6,200 · 40HQ from ~$9,600＊ |
| LCL (any origin → most US hubs) | 25–35 days | $80–160 per CBM＊ |
Reference ranges checked September 2026 — live rates change weekly; ask for today's price. LCL figures are ocean base — destination CFS adds $30–60/CBM on most lanes (listed in every quote we send).
＊ Reference price — market rates fluctuate weekly. WhatsApp us for today's exact rate.💬 WhatsApp us now
Air freight from China to United States
Air freight to the USA runs 3–7 days doorport at roughly $5.00–7.50 per chargeable kg. Remember: chargeable weight is the higher of actual weight or volumetric weight (CBM × 167) — try our calculator above to see yours.
DDP door-to-door to United States
One all-in price covering pickup in China, freight, customs clearance, duties and final delivery — properly declared, no creative customs.
- Step 1 · Pickup in China
We collect from your supplier, inspect, and consolidate at our Ningbo warehouse.
- Step 2 · Export & freight
Export declaration, loading, and the route you chose — documents shared at every step.
- Step 3 · Customs clearance
Our destination partner clears the shipment and pays duties properly — correct values, real declarations.
- Step 4 · Final delivery
To your door, warehouse, or FBA center — with tracking that works the whole way.
DDP reference: sea ≈ $4–$6/kg — air ≈ $8–$10/kg＊
Customs in United States — what to know
U.S. import charges depend on the 10-digit HTS classification, country of origin, customs value, entry date and any applicable additional duties. The $800 duty-free de minimis exemption was suspended for covered China/Hong Kong goods on May 2, 2025 and globally on August 29, 2025; CBP's 2026 rules continue the suspension. This does not make formal entry mandatory for every shipment: eligible shipments valued at $2,500 or less may use informal entry, while postal shipments follow separate procedures. MPF depends on the entry type and exemptions; HMF applies only to covered vessel cargo, subject to exemptions.
FAQ — China to United States
+How much does shipping from China to United States cost?
Reference ranges: sea LCL about $80–$160 per CBM (plus $30–60 destination CFS on most lanes), 20ft containers from $4,500–$6,500, air around $5–$8 per kg. Live rates move weekly — ask us for today's number, every fee listed.
+How do 2025–2026 tariffs affect my shipment?
There is no single tariff rate for all China-origin goods. Base HTS duty and any applicable Section 301, Section 232 or antidumping/countervailing measures depend on the product, origin and entry date. The $800 duty-free de minimis exemption was suspended for covered China/Hong Kong goods on May 2, 2025 and globally on August 29, 2025, with the suspension continued under CBP's 2026 rules. Eligible shipments valued at $2,500 or less may use informal entry; formal entry is generally required above that amount and for goods subject to requirements such as quota or AD/CVD. Postal shipments have separate procedures. The applicable duties and entry requirements must be checked for the actual shipment.
+What hidden fees should I budget for?
For non-exempt formal entries, the Merchandise Processing Fee is 0.3464% of merchandise value, with a $33.58 minimum and $651.50 maximum in FY2026 (October 1, 2025–September 30, 2026). From October 1, 2026, the published FY2027 minimum and maximum become $34.58 and $670.86; the 0.3464% rate is unchanged. A manual-entry surcharge may apply. Informal-entry fees and postal exemptions differ; MPF is not limited to ocean cargo. Harbor Maintenance Fee is 0.125% on covered vessel cargo, with exemptions including shipments entitled to informal entry. Possible exam or storage charges may also apply. On LCL, destination CFS charges can add $30–60/CBM — our quotes list them in writing.
+Can you deliver to Amazon FBA warehouses?
Yes — we prep FBA-compliant cartons and labels at our warehouse and deliver to FBA centers nationwide, by sea or air head-shipping.