Shipping From China to the United States
Quick Overview
Ship freight from China to the United States by FCL, LCL or air freight. Compare current rate benchmarks, transit times, Chinese origin ports, U.S. arrival ports, customs requirements and landed costs before booking your shipment.
China to US Freight Rates
Shipping rates from China to the United States change frequently because of carrier capacity, fuel costs, seasonal demand, tariffs, port congestion and equipment availability.
As of late July 2026, transpacific spot-market benchmarks for a 40-foot container were approximately:
| Shipping Service | Indicative Rate | Typical Pricing Basis |
|---|---|---|
| China to US West Coast FCL | $5,900-$6,200 | 40-foot container |
| Shanghai to New York FCL | Around $7,600 | 40-foot container |
| China to US LCL | $80-$180 | Per cubic meter |
| Standard air freight | $5.70-$7.00 | Per chargeable kilogram |
These figures are market references, not guaranteed iContainers quotations. The final rate may be higher or lower depending on the precise origin, destination, container type, cargo details and services included.
Use the freight cost calculator to obtain a current quote for your shipment.
What Is Included in a China to US Freight Rate?
A base freight rate may cover only the main ocean or air transportation stage. The total shipping cost can also include:
- Factory pickup in China
- Export customs clearance
- Origin terminal handling
- Container loading or LCL consolidation
- Ocean or air freight
- Fuel and security surcharges
- Cargo insurance
- U.S. customs brokerage
- Duties and import fees
- Destination terminal charges
- LCL deconsolidation
- Drayage and inland delivery
- Storage, demurrage or detention
Review the quote carefully to confirm which origin, freight and destination services are included.
The iContainers rate-inclusions guide explains how to review the scope of a freight quotation.
What Affects Shipping Rates From China to the US?
Origin and Destination
A shipment from Shenzhen to Los Angeles may have a different rate from a shipment moving from an inland Chinese factory to Chicago.
The quote must account for:
- Chinese factory location
- Origin port or airport
- U.S. arrival gateway
- Final delivery location
- Trucking or rail requirements
A lower port-to-port rate can produce a higher total cost when the cargo requires expensive inland transportation.
Shipment Volume and Weight
Ocean freight is mainly affected by container size or cargo volume.
Air freight is calculated using chargeable weight, which compares actual weight with volumetric weight.
Accurate dimensions are essential. Incorrect dimensions may result in rate adjustments after the carrier receives the cargo.
Season and Capacity
Rates may increase before:
- Lunar New Year
- Back-to-school inventory periods
- Peak retail season
- Black Friday and holiday inventory deadlines
- Planned tariff changes
Blank sailings, vessel capacity reductions and limited aircraft space can also raise rates.
Cargo Type
Dangerous goods, batteries, chemicals, oversized equipment, food, pharmaceuticals and temperature-controlled cargo may require specialized handling and additional surcharges.
Incoterm
The agreed Incoterm determines which transportation stages are arranged by the supplier and which are arranged by the U.S. buyer.
For many commercial imports, FOB provides the buyer with more control over the international freight than EXW or DDP.
TRADE LANE RATES
Real-time Shipping Rates from China to United States for a 20-foot Container
China to US Transit Times
Transit time depends on the origin, destination, carrier service, routing, customs clearance and whether the shipment is port-to-port or door-to-door.
Estimated Transit Times by Shipping Mode
| Shipping Mode | Main Transit Time | Typical Door-to-Door Time |
|---|---|---|
| Express courier | 2-5 days | 3-7 days |
| Air freight | 2-5 days airport-to-airport | 5-10 days |
| Ocean FCL to US West Coast | 14-25 days port-to-port | 22-35 days |
| Ocean LCL to US West Coast | 18-30 days port-to-port | 28-42 days |
| Ocean FCL to US East Coast | 30-40 days port-to-port | 38-55 days |
| Ocean LCL to US East Coast | 34-45 days port-to-port | 45-60 days |
These ranges are estimates. They can be affected by carrier schedules, weather, port congestion, customs inspections and inland transportation.
Use the transit time calculator for a route-specific estimate.
Estimated Ocean Transit Times by Route
| Route | Estimated Port-to-Port Transit |
|---|---|
| Shanghai to Los Angeles or Long Beach | 14-22 days |
| Ningbo-Zhoushan to Los Angeles or Long Beach | 15-23 days |
| Shenzhen or Yantian to Los Angeles or Long Beach | 16-25 days |
| Ningbo-Zhoushan to Oakland | 20-28 days |
| Shanghai to New York or New Jersey | 30-40 days |
| Shenzhen or Yantian to Savannah | 32-38 days |
| Qingdao to New York or New Jersey | 30-42 days |
| China to Houston | 30-45 days |
Port-to-port transit does not include factory pickup, container loading, customs clearance, terminal release or final delivery.
Air Freight Versus Ocean Freight From China to the US
| Factor | Ocean Freight | Air Freight |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Heavy, bulky or high-volume cargo | Urgent, valuable or time-sensitive cargo |
| Typical transit | 14-45 days port-to-port | 2-5 days airport-to-airport |
| Pricing basis | Container or cubic meter | Chargeable kilogram |
| Cost | Lower for larger shipments | Higher per kilogram |
| Capacity | Suitable for very large volumes | Limited by aircraft space and dimensions |
| Cargo handling | FCL has fewer touchpoints | More controlled but requires consolidation |
| Restricted cargo | More flexible for many commodities | Stricter dangerous-goods restrictions |
| Schedule frequency | Regular vessel sailings | Frequent flights on major routes |
Choose Ocean Freight When
Ocean freight is generally better when:
- The cargo weighs more than approximately 500 kilograms.
- The shipment contains several pallets.
- The goods are not urgently required.
- The cargo is bulky or has a low value per kilogram.
- The shipment can fill a full container.
- The importer wants a lower cost per unit.
Choose Air Freight When
Air freight is generally better when:
- The cargo is urgently required.
- Inventory delays would stop production or sales.
- The goods are valuable relative to their weight.
- The shipment contains electronics, medical products or critical components.
- The cargo is perishable.
- The shipment is too small to justify ocean freight.
When Can Air Freight Be More Economical?
Air freight may have a lower total cost for smaller shipments because ocean freight includes minimum charges, consolidation fees and destination handling.
The comparison should be based on total landed cost, not only the international freight rate.
FCL Shipping From China to the US
Full Container Load shipping provides one importer with exclusive use of a container.
Common container options include:
- 20-foot dry container
- 40-foot dry container
- 40-foot high-cube container
- Refrigerated container
- Open-top container
- Flat-rack container
FCL is commonly used for:
- Furniture
- Machinery
- Electronics
- Automotive parts
- Textiles and clothing
- Building materials
- Packaged consumer goods
- Large wholesale orders
LCL Shipping From China to the US
Less than Container Load shipping allows multiple importers to share one container.
The importer pays for the space occupied by the shipment rather than a complete container.
LCL is suitable for:
- One or more pallets
- Small wholesale orders
- Commercial samples
- Replacement parts
- Packaged goods
- Shipments below the FCL break-even volume
LCL normally takes longer than FCL because the goods must be consolidated in China and deconsolidated in the United States.
Destination handling charges can represent a significant part of the total LCL cost. Importers should compare the full quote rather than only the per-cubic-meter freight rate.
Main Ocean Ports in China
Port of Shanghai
The Port of Shanghai is a major gateway for suppliers in Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang and the wider Yangtze River Delta.
It is commonly used for:
- Electronics
- Machinery
- Automotive parts
- Chemicals
- Textiles
- Furniture
- Consumer goods
Shanghai offers extensive services to Los Angeles, Long Beach, Oakland, New York, Savannah and other U.S. gateways.
Port of Ningbo-Zhoushan
The Port of Ningbo-Zhoushan serves manufacturers across Zhejiang and eastern China.
It is particularly useful for cargo originating around Ningbo, Hangzhou, Shaoxing, Jinhua, Yiwu and nearby production zones.
Port of Shenzhen
The Port of Shenzhen includes major terminal areas such as Yantian, Shekou, Chiwan and Da Chan Bay.
It is a principal gateway for the Pearl River Delta and is widely used for:
- Electronics
- Telecommunications equipment
- Appliances
- Furniture
- Textiles
- eCommerce inventory
- Industrial components
Port of Guangzhou
The Port of Guangzhou, including the Nansha terminal area, serves Guangzhou, Foshan, Zhongshan, Jiangmen and western Pearl River Delta manufacturing zones.
Port of Qingdao
The Port of Qingdao is an important gateway for Shandong and northern China.
Common cargo includes machinery, tires, chemicals, food, consumer products and industrial materials.
Port of Xiamen
The Port of Xiamen serves Fujian and southeastern China.
It is frequently used for electronics, footwear, garments, furniture, stone products and building materials.
Main US Arrival Ports
Los Angeles and Long Beach
The Port of Los Angeles and Port of Long Beach form the primary U.S. gateway for transpacific container freight.
They are generally suitable for cargo delivered to:
- Southern California
- The Inland Empire
- Arizona
- Nevada
- The western United States
- Midwest markets connected by intermodal rail
Using a West Coast port normally provides the shortest ocean transit from China.
Port of Oakland
The Port of Oakland is a practical option for Northern California, the San Francisco Bay Area and nearby inland markets.
Port of New York and New Jersey
The Port of New York and New Jersey serves the northeastern United States and provides access to New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and major East Coast distribution markets.
Ocean transit is longer than to the West Coast, but the route may reduce inland transportation for eastern destinations.
Port of Savannah
The Port of Savannah serves the southeastern United States and major warehousing and distribution markets in Georgia, the Carolinas, Florida, Alabama and Tennessee.
Port of Houston
The Port of Houston is an important gateway for Texas, the Gulf Coast and central U.S. markets.
Air Freight Airports From China to the US
Major Chinese air cargo origins include:
- Shanghai Pudong International Airport
- Hong Kong International Airport
- Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport
- Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport
- Beijing Capital International Airport
- Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport
Major U.S. cargo arrival airports include:
- Los Angeles International Airport
- Chicago O’Hare International Airport
- John F. Kennedy International Airport
- Dallas Fort Worth International Airport
- Miami International Airport
The best airport depends on cargo availability, airline capacity and the final delivery location.
US Customs Clearance for Imports From China
Identify the Importer of Record
The Importer of Record is responsible for ensuring that the goods comply with U.S. law.
Its responsibilities normally include:
- Correct product classification
- Accurate customs value
- Country-of-origin reporting
- Payment of duties and fees
- Product compliance
- Recordkeeping
- Providing supporting documents
The Importer of Record should be confirmed before the shipment leaves China.
Determine the HTS Code
Every product must be classified under the U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule.
The HTS code determines:
- General duty rate
- Section 301 tariffs
- Additional trade remedies
- Quotas
- Product restrictions
- Government-agency requirements
- Statistical reporting
The supplier’s Chinese HS code can be used as a starting point, but the U.S. importer must confirm the complete U.S. classification.
Calculate Customs Duties
A Chinese-origin product may be subject to several layers of duty:
- The general HTS duty
- Existing China Section 301 duties
- Product-specific Section 232 or other trade-remedy duties
- Antidumping or countervailing duties
- The 12.5% Section 301 forced-labor tariff introduced in July 2026, where applicable
Exclusions and special rules may apply. Importers should confirm the current treatment of the precise HTS code before placing the order or shipping the goods.
Review the customs clearance and duties guide and work with a licensed customs broker when necessary.
File the Importer Security Filing
Most ocean shipments from China require an Importer Security Filing, commonly called ISF or 10+2.
Core importer data generally must be filed before the cargo is loaded onto the vessel in China.
ISF data includes information such as:
- Seller
- Buyer
- Importer of Record number
- Consignee number
- Manufacturer or supplier
- Ship-to party
- Country of origin
- HTS number
- Container stuffing location
- Consolidator
ISF does not replace the customs entry. Late, inaccurate or missing filings can cause penalties, inspections and cargo holds.
ISF is not required for air freight, although air shipments have separate advance-data requirements.
Arrange a Customs Bond
A customs bond is generally required for formal commercial entries valued above $2,500 and for certain regulated goods regardless of value.
Importers may use:
- A single-entry bond for one shipment
- A continuous bond for multiple imports over a 12-month period
Importers that ship frequently may find a continuous bond more practical.
Prepare the Required Documents
Most commercial imports require:
- Commercial invoice
- Packing list
- Bill of lading or air waybill
- Importer Security Filing for ocean freight
- Customs entry documents
- Customs bond
- Certificate of origin when required
- Product permits or registrations
- Dangerous-goods documents when applicable
The commercial invoice should provide a specific product description. Generic wording such as “parts,” “accessories” or “samples” may delay clearance.
Review the shipping documents guide before the cargo departs.
Check Product-Specific Requirements
Depending on the commodity, imports may be regulated by:
- Food and Drug Administration
- Consumer Product Safety Commission
- Department of Agriculture
- Environmental Protection Agency
- Federal Communications Commission
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- Fish and Wildlife Service
- Other federal agencies
Products that commonly require additional checks include:
- Food
- Cosmetics
- Medical devices
- Pharmaceuticals
- Chemicals
- Batteries
- Electronics
- Toys and children’s products
- Vehicles and automotive parts
- Wood products
- Textiles
- Agricultural goods
Low-Value Shipments
Importers should not assume that goods valued at $800 or less automatically qualify for duty-free de minimis treatment.
The United States suspended broad duty-free de minimis treatment for low-value imports in 2026. Current entry, duty and documentation requirements should be confirmed before shipping parcels or commercial samples.
Landed Cost From China to the US
The total landed cost is more important than the supplier price or base freight rate.
A basic formula is:
Landed Cost = Product Cost + Origin Charges + Freight + Insurance + Duties + Customs Fees + Destination Charges + Final Delivery
For example:
| Cost Component | Example Cost |
|---|---|
| Product purchase | $25,000 |
| Origin and export charges | $900 |
| Ocean freight | $6,000 |
| Insurance | $180 |
| Customs duties and tariffs | $5,000 |
| Brokerage and import fees | $450 |
| Destination handling | $750 |
| Inland delivery | $1,200 |
| Total landed cost | $39,480 |
The actual duty amount depends on the HTS classification and applicable tariffs.
Use the complete landed cost calculation guide to compare suppliers and transport options.
Frequently Asked Questions About Shipping From China to the US
In late July 2026, market benchmarks for a 40-foot container were approximately $5,900 to $6,200 to the U.S. West Coast and around $7,600 from Shanghai to New York. Rates change frequently and may exclude origin, destination and customs costs.
Ocean freight generally takes 14 to 25 days to the West Coast and 30 to 45 days to the East or Gulf Coast on a port-to-port basis. Door-to-door shipping takes longer.
Airport-to-airport air freight usually takes two to five days. A complete door-to-door shipment typically takes five to ten days.
Ocean freight is usually cheaper for shipments above approximately 500 kilograms or for bulky cargo. Air freight may be more economical for smaller, urgent or high-value shipments.
Direct sailings from Shanghai, Ningbo or Shenzhen to Los Angeles or Long Beach are generally the fastest major ocean routes.
Los Angeles and Long Beach are normally suitable for western markets. New York and New Jersey serve the Northeast, Savannah serves the Southeast, Houston serves Texas and the Gulf Coast, and Oakland serves Northern California.
ISF is required for most cargo arriving in the United States by ocean vessel. It is not required for air freight.
A customs bond is generally required for formal commercial entries and for certain regulated products. A broker can help determine whether a single-entry or continuous bond is appropriate.
A supplier may offer DDP, but the U.S. buyer should verify who will act as Importer of Record, how the goods are classified and whether duties are being declared correctly.
