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 $3.50–7.50 per kg depending on weight, route and cargo. Sea freight is the cost-effective default: roughly 25–35 days, with LCL around $45–80 per CBM and 20ft containers starting near $1,500–2,500 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 the USA
| Route | Transit | Reference price |
|---|---|---|
| Shenzhen/Guangzhou → Los Angeles | 20–28 days | 20ft from ~$1,500 · 40HQ from ~$2,500 |
| Shenzhen/Guangzhou → New York | 28–38 days | 20ft from ~$2,000 · 40HQ from ~$3,200 |
| LCL (any origin → most US hubs) | 25–35 days | $45–80 per CBM |
Reference ranges — live rates change weekly; ask for today’s price.
Air freight from China to the USA
Air freight to the USA runs 3–7 days doorport at roughly $3.50–7.50 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 the USA
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 Guangdong 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 ≈ $3.8–5.5/kg · air ≈ $7.5–8.3/kg
Customs in the USA — what to know
Base MFN duty 0–6% plus Section 301 tariffs on many China-origin goods — combined rates vary widely. Merchandise Processing Fee 0.3464% (min $33.58/entry) and Harbor Maintenance Fee 0.125% apply on ocean cargo. The $800 de minimis exemption ended in May 2025 — every shipment now requires formal entry.
FAQ — China to the USA
+How do 2025–2026 tariffs affect my shipment?
Most China-origin goods carry base MFN duty (0–6%) plus a Section 301 layer, and the $800 de minimis exemption ended in May 2025 — every shipment now needs formal entry. Our quotes calculate the combined effective rate for your HS code, so the number you see is the number you pay.
+What hidden fees should I budget for?
Merchandise Processing Fee (0.3464%, min $33.58/entry), Harbor Maintenance Fee (0.125% on ocean cargo), plus possible exam or storage. 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.