Ocean & Air Freight Shipping From China to United States

China and the United States maintain one of the world's most significant bilateral trade relationships. In 2023, the total value of goods traded between the two nations reached for imports from China around $426.9 billion.

This extensive trade encompasses a wide array of products. The United States imports goods like electronics, machinery, and textiles. Despite fluctuations in trade volumes over the years, the economic ties between the two countries remain robust, reflecting their deep integration in global supply chains.

What Are the Options for Shipping Freight From China to United States?

For shipping cargo from China to United States, you can either choose ocean freight or air freight. 

Ocean Freight From China to United States

Ocean freight is for shippers looking for an economical and flexible way to ship goods from China to United States. It can accommodate almost every type of cargo and even provides shippers with two container shipping options: less than container load (LCL) and full container load (FCL). 

LCL is best for shippers shipping small cargo or in small volumes. Here, their goods will be consolidated with cargo belonging to other sellers, meaning they only pay for the space they occupy. While economical, LCL can have longer transit times because of the consolidation and deconsolidation processes. 

FCL, on the other hand, is for shipping large, heavy cargo or in large volumes. Here, you rent the space in an entire container for your goods alone, allowing you to ship whatever you need as long as it fits in the unit. This also grants you more control and security for your shipment. 

Air Freight from China to United States

Another way to ship goods from China to United States is by air. Air freight is the fastest international shipping mode, only taking up to a week for goods to arrive at their destination. Thanks to stricter airport regulations, it’s also the most secure. Therefore, air freight is the best option for shipping high-value, perishable, and time-sensitive goods. 

It’s worth noting, however, that air freight can get expensive and may not be able to ship all types of cargo. 

How Much Does it Cost to Ship Cargo From China to United States?

The cost of shipping goods from China to United States will depend on a couple of factors, which include: 

• Your choice of ocean or air shipping
• Your preference for door-to-door, port-to-port, port-to-door, or door-to-port shipment
• Your consignment’s weight, volume, and size
• Weight and size limits

Use our online freight costs calculator to get an estimate of your shipping costs. The table below provides the current cost for shipping a standard 20-foot container from China to United States:

How long does it take to ship cargo from China to United States?

The transit time for goods shipped from China to United States is mainly determined by your selected international shipping method. However, other influencing factors include:

• The season of shipment (peak or low season)
• Whether the shipment route is direct or not
• The trade lane's popularity
• Geopolitical instability
• Possible incidents at any port

How long does it take to ship cargo by sea from China to United States?

Ocean freight from China to United States will take approximately 15 to 50 days.

How long does it take to ship cargo by air from China to United States?

Air freight from China to United States will take around 2 to 8 days.

For the most accurate estimate, we recommend using our transit time calculator.

Customs Clearance in China and United States

When your goods arrive in United States, they are not officially imported until they go through customs clearance. For this, you will need to prepare and submit the following documents: 

• A commercial invoice
• A packing list
• A certificate of origin
• A letter of credit or other payment terms (depending on the contract between the parties involved)
• A bill of lading for ocean freight or an Airway Bill for air freight

Refer to our full documents list for examples of each customs clearance requirement. 

Should You Choose Ocean Freight or Air Freight?

Choosing between ocean freight and air freight should take into account your needs, priorities, and the requirements of your cargo. Here are some pointers to help you choose a suitable international shipping mode. 

Ocean Freight

Ocean freight is best if you are looking to save on shipping costs. It doesn’t cost an arm and a leg to ship by sea, and its flexibility means you can choose a container shipping option that suits your budget. 

Considerations for LCL Freight Shipping

LCL is right for you if your cargo is: 

• Small in size and quantity 
• Lightweight
• Suitable for consolidation with cargo belonging to other shippers 
• Not delicate, fragile, or high-value 
• Not requiring special handling or movement 

Considerations for FCL Freight Shipping

FCL may be a better mode of ocean freight shipping for you if your cargo is: 

• Large in size and quantity 
• Heavy or overweight
• Not suitable for consolidation with cargo belonging to other shippers 
• Delicate, fragile, or high-value 
• Requiring special handling or movement 

Air Freight

If your ultimate priority is getting your goods from China to United States fast, air freight would be the way to go. An air freight shipment from China to United States only takes two to eight days to complete. It’s also the most secure because of more stringent airport regulations, making it ideal for high-value goods that need more protection. 

Air freight, however, is also the most expensive way to ship goods from China to United States. There are also restrictions and prohibitions about what you can and cannot ship by air. 

Ocean Cargo Port Guide

Cargo ports of origin in China

Port of Ningbo-Zhoushan

The Port of Ningbo-Zhoushan is a sizable port with a coastline stretching for 220 meters. It boasts 200 big deep-water berths able to accommodate boats over 10,000 DWT and 115 large and super-large deep-water berths for vessels over 50,000 DWT. 

Port of Guangzhou

The Port of Guangzhou is the primary seaport for shipments from Guangzhou City, Guangdong, China. It is the largest port in South China, linking over 300 ports in more than 80 regions—the port links to waterways, railways, motorways, and air routes. 

Port of Qingdao

The Port of Qingdao is located on the Yellow Sea in Qingdao, Shandong Province, China. It is one of the ten busiest ports in the world, with an annual container traffic of 18 million TEUs. Along with three other Chinese ports, it formed a strategic partnership with the largest port in Korea. 

Cargo ports of arrival in US

Port of Houston

The Port of Houston in Texas, USA, handles a large number of shipments in a year, making it one of the busiest ports in the world. It handles about 284.9 million metric tonnes of cargo, both inward and outwards of the U.S.

Port of South Louisiana

The Port of South Louisiana in Laplace, USA, has been around for decades, opening its cargo operations in the 1940s. The port handles 60% of grain cargo handling in the Midwest and is one of the biggest ports in the country.

Port of New York and New Jersey

The Port of New York and New Jersey is located in the New York Harbor. It is the largest natural harbor in the world and provides direct access through the Atlantic Ocean. This port is the busiest in the world, earning the U.S. $5.5 billion annually.

Air Freight from China to United States: An airport guide

Airports of origin in China

Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport

The Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport serves the capital of Guangdong province, Guangzhou. It is a hub for China Southern Airlines, China Eastern Airlines, and more. The airport handles 2,044,908.97 metric tonnes of cargo per year. 

Shenzhen Baoan International Airport

The Shenzhen Baoan International Airport serves Shenzhen, Guangdong, China. It is 32 kilometers northwest of the city center and is a hub for cargo airlines SF Airlines, China Southern Airlines, and Hainan Airlines.

Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport

The Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport serves the area around Hangzhou, the capital of the Zhejiang province of China, in the Yangtze River Delta region. It is located 27 kilometers east of downtown Hangzhou. 

Airports of arrival in United States

Memphis International Airport

The Memphis International Airport is one of the biggest airports in the world by total cargo tonnage. It contributes $23.3 billion to the U.S. economy and handles around 4,290,638 tons of cargo per year.

Miami International Airport (MIA)

The Miami International Airport, or MIA for short, is one of the busiest airports in the United States. Located in southern Florida just west of downtown Miami, the airport sees nearly 50 million passengers a year and over 1,000 flights every day. The airport also has several

Louisville Regional Airport

The Louisville Regional Airport is one of the most popular in the world, accommodating more than 5 billion pounds and 2,350,656 tons of cargo annually. It boasts a Worldport for cargo, which sorts 416,000 packages per hour.