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When you transport some goods from China to the United States by air or sea, some special products in the transportation fee need to be charged with some freight surcharges, because these products are on the list of tariffs imposed by the United States on China.
Some products are subject to additional tariffs of more than 30%, or even higher. This undoubtedly adds a lot of cost to Amazon sellers, but these products are often very popular. Let’s find out what products need to be charged freight surcharges. (Products subject to additional tariffs in the United States will be added or deleted from time to time)
Products’ s freight surcharges for air freight from China to USA
1. A surcharge of 1 yuan/KG is required for this list of products in FBA air freight:
Mobile phone cases, mobile phone holders, furniture, plastic products, and products with tariffs above 30%
2. On the basis of the FBA air freight, the products in this list need to charge an additional fee of 2 yuan/KG:
- FDA/EPA certified products, wood products;
- Kitchen supplies;
- Toy;
- Clothing: children’s suits (clothing), coats, women’s skirts, cotton skirts, women’s suits, women’s dresses;
- Bags: such as bags, textile or plastic wallets;
- Digital technology: set-top boxes, cameras, camera kits, video cameras (including security cameras);
- Others: pencil case, glasses case, comb.
3. On the basis of FBA air freight, this list of products needs to be charged an additional fee of 3 yuan/KG:
- Solar products;
- Partial helmet;
- Kitchen knives;
- Part of supporting liquid products;
- Mouse;
- DOT products (requires relevant certification)
Products’ s freight surcharges for sea freight from China to USA
1. The following products need to be charged an additional fee of 1 yuan/KG on the basis of FBA sea freight shipping:
- General textiles;
- Products requiring EPA/FDA certification (such as wood products);
- Products that require DOT certification.
2. Such products will be subject to a surcharge of 2 yuan/KG on the basis of FBA sea freight:
- Clothing;
- Bags: Lunch bags, bags, etc.:
- Toys.
We specialize in shipping from China to USA, and can provide sea freight from China to USA,air freight to USA.
As an Amazon FBA freight forwarder company, we are very familiar with Amazon’s relevant regulations. If you need a freight forwarder China to USA , contact us now!
Shipping from China to the USA
Navigating freight surcharges is a vital part of your freight planning when importing goods. Certain product categories—such as electronics, textiles, and FDA-regulated items—face specific additional fees due to international trade tariffs. When organizing shipping from China to USA, these mandatory surcharges directly impact your shipping cost calculation.
If you import highly taxed items, carriers add an extra fee per kilogram to your base rate. Overlooking these surcharges can severely inflate the budget for your freight from China to USA. Furthermore, failing to classify your products correctly can cause major hurdles during US customs clearance. Customs officers will hold improperly declared goods, which drastically increases your overall transit time and leads to expensive daily storage fees at the port.
Properly identifying your product category before booking ensures accurate financial planning and a seamless border crossing when shipping from China to the USA. Understanding these extra fees helps you protect your profit margins.
To learn more about managing costs and navigating import regulations, read our Complete guide to shipping from China to the USA.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do carriers add freight surcharges to my shipments from China to the US?
When you import goods from China to the United States, carriers apply freight surcharges to cover fluctuating operational costs or specific trade tariffs. For example, some products like textiles or electronics face extra fees based on current US tariff lists. Fuel price changes can also trigger sudden surcharges. To keep your budget intact, you should always ask your freight forwarder to list these potential extra fees before you finalize your booking.
How can I calculate these extra shipping fees before my cargo leaves China?
Accurately calculating your total costs requires knowing exactly what you are shipping. Carriers add surcharges based on per-kilogram rates for specific item categories. If you ship heavily taxed items like FDA-regulated products or furniture from China to the USA, your base rate will increase. Provide your logistics partner with a detailed commercial invoice and accurate packing list early. This allows them to identify any mandatory surcharges and give you a highly predictable final price.
Will unpaid freight surcharges cause delays at US customs?
Yes, failing to account for specific product surcharges can cause significant delays at the American border. If your commercial documents hide the true nature of your goods to avoid extra fees, US Customs will likely flag your shipment for an intensive physical inspection. This unexpected hold drastically increases your overall transit time and leads to expensive daily port storage fees. Honest product classification ensures a smooth, cost-effective delivery when shipping from China to America.
