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Sea freight from China to the United States provides multiple carrier options, with transit times varying based on the carrier and destination. Standard shipments to the US West Coast typically take 13 to 16 days. For faster deliveries, especially for Amazon FBA shipments, express clippers can reach West Coast ports in 11 days and complete door-to-door delivery in 15 to 18 days.
Matson Clippers are widely recognized as the fastest and most reliable option on the Sino-US route, though they are generally the most expensive. Matson’s regular ships use independent private docks, which guarantees same-day unloading and prevents delays during peak season congestion. Matson also operates overtime ships, which take slightly longer due to docking at public ports.
Several other shipping lines offer competitive express routes. ZIM Clippers provide a direct 12-day transit from Shenzhen to Los Angeles, with unloading completed in 12 hours and fast rail connections to inland cities. EMC Evergreen Clippers feature a dedicated dock that allows for 24-hour container pick-up, avoiding peak season bottlenecks. CMA EXX express offers guaranteed refund options for priority goods, while WHL and Ali Express Clippers provide extensive networks tailored for small and medium-sized cross-border sellers.
Shipping costs are calculated differently depending on the load size. Full Container Load (FCL) pricing is the sum of three distinct parts: the basic freight rate, the port surcharge, and the fuel surcharge, each multiplied by the number of containers. FCL shipments typically utilize 20GP, 40GP, or 40HQ containers, which hold between 26 and 27 tons of cargo.
Less than Container Load (LCL) pricing is calculated using only a basic freight charge, which is based on either the total volume or the gross weight of the cargo. The final LCL cost uses whichever calculation yields the higher value. These pricing standards will also fluctuate based on the specific Chinese departure ports and American destination ports utilized.
