China is home to many global suppliers, but shipping from China to USA is not always straightforward. Shipping from China to the US can be a complicated and time-consuming affair. It’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with standard shipping cost and time estimates so you don’t fall short of expectations.
Air transport from China to USA is the preferred shipping method when your situation meets any of the following conditions:
Goods need to arrive within 2 to 20 days.
Billable weights vary from 150kg to 500kg.
Sensitive or valuable goods, such as electronics, jewelry or precision instruments.
Perishable goods such as medicines and food.
Goods such as personal protective equipment are required in an emergency.
Cost of air transport from China to USA
The cost of air freight from China to USA is calculated by first determining the actual and volumetric weight of the goods. The airline will take the greater of the two weights to calculate the billable weight.
Actual weight
Actual weight is calculated in the same way as air express. Actual weight, also known as gross weight, is the total weight of the cargo.
Volume and weight
The volumetric weight of air cargo is calculated using one of the two methods detailed below:
LWH/6000: Volumetric weight formula:The first is multiplied by the carton size and divided by 6,000,
For example, if all sides of an export carton shipped by air are 90 cm, we would multiply by 90 * 90 * 90 and divide the sum by 6,000. This will give us a total volumetric weight of 121.5kg for air transport from China to USA.
CMB*167: Volumetric weight formula:Another way to calculate it is to multiply the total cubic volume by 167. Continuing with the example of an export carton with 6 90 cm sides, the cubic volume is 0.729 cubic meters.
If we multiply 0.729m3 by 167, our total volumetric weight is 121.7kg.
Comparison of actual weight to volumetric weight:Keep in mind that airlines will always choose between actual or dimensional weight.
Continuing the example above, if the actual weight of the export carton is 119kg, then the airline will count the dimensional weight as the billable weight, which means the weight will be calculated as 121.7kg. And if the actual weight of the export carton is 130kg, then the airline will calculate the actual weight as the billable weight, that is, the weight is calculated as 130kg, not 121.7kg.
Advantages of air transport from China to USA
When urgency or safety is the number one concern, air transport from China to USA is by far the most advantageous mode of transportation. The reason is that freight forwarders can provide a high level of customization based on the unique requirements of each shipment.
Unlike express delivery, air freight has the flexibility to offer logistics options focused on speed, cost or security. Shippers can arrange for cargo to be delivered, consolidated, unpacked and trans-shipped anywhere in a way that Air Express does not offer.
While there is consensus that ocean freight is the most economical way to move large quantities of goods internationally, air transport from China to USA allows for the greatest variety and customization.
If the goods need to be shipped from China to two cities that are not close to each other, air transport from China to USA provides more options than air and sea freight. This is especially true when the volume is less than 500 kg or the shipment must arrive within 30 days.
For example, if an e-commerce company wanted to urgently ship inventory from Guangzhou, China to two fulfillment warehouses, one in Dallas, TX and the other in Newark, NJ, air transport from China to USA would give them any of the following options:
Goods can be unpacked in Guangzhou warehouses by third-party logistics companies and individually delivered to each city in just 5 days.
These shipments can be shipped to central locations between Texas and New Jersey, such as Nashville, Tennessee, and then trucked to both locations.
Goods can be shipped to Texas or New Jersey, broken up and trucked to the nearest city, then airlifted or trucked further afield.
Goods can be shipped to airports in the United States, where carriers offer exceptionally low rates, and then the goods are broken up and further airlifted to their final destination.
The possibilities are endless, whether it’s door-to-door air or sea freight, none of the above scenarios are possible.
If you need to hire an air freight forwarder, please consider Xiongda, we will not let you down.
