Shipping from China to USA has a variety of shipping options, including express, air, and sea.
Air Freight from China to USA
China to USA shipping by air, you need an Air Waybill (AWB). An AWB is a written contract outlining the terms of sale between the buyer and the seller. The AWB will include a tracking number that you can use to check the progress of your shipment.
China to USA shipping by air ensures fast transit times, although the cost is higher than ocean freight. You can even opt for express air freight for faster delivery.
China to USA shipping by sea
In Less Container Load (LCL) shipments, the freight forwarder consolidates the shipment and disassembles it upon arrival in the United States. This means more work is involved with this shipping option.
Because LCL shipping involves many procedures, it takes longer than FCL (Full Container Load). It also contains a lot of paperwork, increasing the risk of delays.
LCL shipping is charged based on the weight and volume of the goods, eg “per cubic meter or per ton”. LCL fees from China to the US range from $30 to $40 per cubic meter.
LCL shipping is slightly more expensive than FCL shipping because it takes time to fill a container. Also, containers cannot leave the loading port half full unless space is paid for.
If you are importing cargo that cannot be filled in a 20ft or 40ft container, you will choose LCL shipping. However, you need to be a little patient to receive your shipments in the US.
How long does it take to China to USA shipping?
International Express: China to the United States door to door about 2-5 working days.
Air Freight: Only about 3-8 working days to the airport.
Sea Freight: Fast about 20-25 days for door-to-door delivery by famous CMA & Matson.
What is the fastest method of China to USA shipping?
The fastest shipping is via express shipping like UPS, FedEx and DHL, it takes about 2-5 business days to ship directly from China to your US destination, you may need to fill out import customs documents and pay duties as per express shipping customization requirements.
What documents are required for China to USA shipping?
Documents required for U.S. customs clearance include commercial invoices, packing lists, and air or ocean bills of lading, and sometimes, customs will ask you to complete CBP Form 3461/7501 for customs release.
What is the cheapest way for China to USA shipping?
China DDP ocean shipping is the cheapest shipping method from China to the United States, the total delivery time is about 25 days, and you don’t need to pay any destination port charges. If you don’t need a very urgent delivery, you can choose DDP ocean freight to save your shipping cost.
Trade terms of China to USA shipping
FOB
Also known as “Free On Board”. For transactions conducted at FOB prices, the buyer is responsible for sending a ship to pick up the goods. The seller should load the goods on the vessel designated by the buyer at the port of shipment specified in the contract and within the specified time limit, and notify the buyer in time. Risk passes from the seller to the buyer when the goods are loaded onto the named vessel at the port of shipment.
CIF
Is the abbreviation of Cost, Insurance and Freight. It means that the seller must deliver the goods at the port of shipment to the ship bound for the designated port of destination within the date or period specified in the contract, bear all the costs and the risk of loss or damage until the goods pass the ship’s rail, be responsible for chartering and booking space, and pay from the shipment. The normal freight from port to destination port, and is responsible for handling freight insurance and paying insurance premiums.
DDP
It means to pay after payment, designated destination, the seller must bear all the risks and costs of transporting the goods to the designated destination, including any taxes and fees that should be paid at the destination when customs formalities are required.
LDP
It is similar to DDP, both at the seller’s own risk and expense, provide the import license, bear any import duties, including customs clearance fees, and any other duties or charges payable as the goods are imported and delivered to the buyer.
