Ocean freight from China to USA is a method of transporting large quantities of products via cargo ships. Goods are loaded into containers, which are loaded onto a ship, which then transports them to the country of destination.
Ocean freight from China to USA is one of our services for large shipments that are not shipped urgently. It turns out to be a more cost-effective way to transport non-urgent bulk shipments. More than 90% of world trade is carried by sea.
Process of ocean freight from China to USA
1. Coordinate booking with shipper: Confirm cargo preparation and export details with supplier, then book with carrier.
2. Trailer clearance: Arrange the trailer to pick up the empty box and send the full box back to the harbor terminal.
3. By sea: departure and sailing
4. Customs clearance and customs clearance at the destination port: After the ship arrives at the destination port, the customer/broker prepares the import documents and arranges the customs clearance documents. After the customs release, the consignee pays the customs duties.
5. Delivery: Complete customs clearance and pay customs duties, arrange to pick up the box from the seaport and deliver to the customer.
Ocean freight from China to USA customs clearance
Import and export clearance can seem complicated, and in many cases, that’s because of it. However, this is an unavoidable aspect of air and sea freight from China to USA. Therefore, this is something that every supplier, consignee and middleman who engages in international trade must be prepared for.
Generally, you need to ensure that all exports from China to the US are accompanied by the following documents, as they are required by the customs authorities of both countries:
1. Commercial Invoice
2. Packing List
3. Certificate of Origin
4. Letter of credit or other payment terms (depending on the contract between the parties involved)
5. Ocean bill of lading or air waybill
Ocean freight from China to USA Container Size
20 feet: 33 cubic meters capacity (about 10 pallets)
40 feet: 67 cubic meters capacity (about 20 pallets)
40ft HQ: Tall cube, 76m3 capacity (about 24 pallets)
There are two types of ocean freight from China to USA: FCL and LCL
FCL refers to the transport of all goods in one container belonging to one party, while LCL refers to the packing and loading of goods from multiple shippers or importers in the same container.
A company’s needs and inventory requirements determine purchasing and shipping decisions, as well as factors such as cost and commodity type. For example, LCL allows for smaller, more adaptable inventory of products, while FCL is better for high-volume items and high-volume products.
Advantages of LCL shipping from China to USA:
You only pay for the space you use, depending on the amount
More convenient if you don’t have enough storage space
Possibility to load any type of cargo
Disadvantages of LCL shipping from China to the United States:
slowest shipping method
Goods must be palletized
High processing (and therefore risky) in merge/split repositories
Advantages of FCL shipping from China to the United States:
You have all the space you need in the container
Treat less. Sealed container from departure to arrival
The most affordable bulk method
Disadvantages of FCL ocean freight from China to USA:
Sea freight is the slowest mode of transportation
You must buy in bulk or at least 15 CBM
Cost and time of ocean freight from China to USA
The shipping cost is about 2-4 USD/kg, and it takes about 20-40 days or more for China-US shipping.
Surcharge of ocean freight from China to USA
In addition to shipping, the following surcharges may apply in some cases. But they can also be included, in which case we’re talking about all-inclusive shipping. Fees depend on shipping company and route.
BAF: Bunker Adjustment Factor
Also known as FAF (Fuel Adjustment Factor), it is used to compensate for fluctuations in crude oil prices.
CAF: Currency Adjustment Factor
Since most of the world’s trade is carried out in this currency, the fee enables shipping companies to protect themselves from potentially significant fluctuations in the dollar’s exchange rate.
THC: Terminal Handling Charge
These are the fees that ports charge when loading and unloading cargo. They are fixed for a full container but variable for traditional LCL.
ISPS: International Ship and Port Facility Security
The charge is designed to improve maritime security, and it helps to fund maritime and port security measures. It grants certain countries the right to take measures to improve the security of their ports and fleets.
ORC: Origin Receipt Charge
This fee applies only to China and is intended to fund the rapid development of Chinese ports.
PSS: Peak Season Surcharge
This surcharge applies to all shipments from Asia to Western ports during peak season (usually between 1 June and 31 October – Christmas delivery). It is sometimes called GRI (General Interest Rate Increase).
Port congestion
These fees are charged when the carrier vessel has to wait in port for unloading/loading.
Demurrage
Demurrage is compensation paid when goods must be stored in port. Usually due to non-compliant or unapproved documents being imported in the country. Shipping lines refer to “demurrage” as the rental fee for a container to be parked in port until the cargo can be released.
