Shipping From China To The USA
Sea freight shipping is another option for importing from China,and one of the most common methods of international shipment.
To calculate the cost of your sea freight delivery,you’ll need the following:
Certificate of origin、10-digit tariff classification number、Incoterms(International commercial terms).
Once you’re comfortable with the initial price,you’ll need to request a freight quote from a shipping logistics company.This quote will determine the shipping cost from China.
You then provide the freight company with your supplier’s contact information,and they’ll handle the shipping container’s journey from China to the USA.
For many,sea freight is the cheapest method of shipping from China to the USA.How can we better reduce logistics costs?
Choose the right logistics partner
Countless resources claim to be logistics experts or experienced international trade professionals,but this isn’t always the case.
It’s important to choose experienced companies with proven track records.For timely shipments,goods must be finished,packed,loaded,and delivered on time.The company handling these processes on the Chinese end must be capable of performing these tasks effectively.
In most scenarios,working with experienced companies and suppliers gives you the best possible chance of having your goods imported promptly.
Organize all Relevant Documents
The clearance process is often the leading cause of delays in shipping from China to the USA.To ensure a smooth customs clearance process,you must organize all relevant documents and paperwork.
Essential documents include the Bill of Lading,ISF(International Security Filing),Certificate of Origins,Commercial Invoice,and a Packing List.
A basic error in paperwork can lead to your goods being held upon arrival.This can cost you a lot of money.Suppliers are responsible for much of the paperwork involved,so choosing the right companies and suppliers is a critical step in the process.
Timing is Crucial
At certain times of the year,importing from China is more expensive.During holiday seasons,there is a shortage of workers,leading to slower and more costly shipping.Pay attention to Chinese holidays and time your shipments around them.This can save your business a lot of time and money.
Package Efficiently
Although much of product packaging is handled by suppliers,it can be highly beneficial to intervene in the process.Efficient packaging can save you money on materials,create more space for cargo,and help protect your items from being damaged.
Reach out to your supplier and inquire whether packaging efficiency can be improved.For ocean freight,cargo space is the most important factor,so optimizing your packaging to save space should be prioritized.
Opt for FCL where Possible
Shipping a full load has several benefits.It is cheaper,faster,and less likely to cause damage to your goods.Where possible,your company should opt for FCL over LCL shipping.
It is also useful to consider the size of the container you’re shipping.40’containers are generally cheaper than smaller options,as long as they are close to capacity.
Use a Freight Forwarder
Unless you’re an international shipping expert,hiring a freight forwarding service is advisable.A freight forwarder is a qualified and experienced person who helps you find efficient and effective solutions for transporting your goods from China to the USA.
A freight forwarder can save you an incredible amount of time dealing with paperwork and customs requirements.As your shipping guide,your freight forward can use their contacts and knowledge to help you save money by securing the best deals and can find alternate shipping routes in the cases of inclement weather.
There are various methods you can rely on for shipments from China to the USA.Here are the most common:
Air cargo from China
There are two types of air cargo:general and special.
General Cargo-general cargo is made up of physical products,including everything from electronics to pharmaceuticals
Special Cargo-special cargo refers to anything that requires special attention or care,including live animals,potentially dangerous chemicals,and anything that requires refrigeration or freezing to maintain freshness
To have cargo shipped by air,you need to have an air waybill(AWB).The AWB is a written contract that outlines the conditions of the sale between the seller and buyer.The AWB will include a tracking number you can use to check the progress of the shipment.
Using air freight from China to the USA ensures fast transit time,albeit at a higher cost than sea freight.You can even select express air freight for faster delivery.
Why is there sometimes a delay in transit?
Reasons for transporting the goods
The reason for affecting the logistics timeliness is also related to the goods to be transported.If the goods themselves have problems,it will affect the transportation.For example,the goods transported are sensitive goods,dangerous goods,
Reasons for freight forwarding companies
Although the logistics industry is developing rapidly and there are many freight forwarding companies,there are all kinds of companies in this industry with uneven quality.Therefore,shippers in the selection of freight forwarding company.
When choosing a freight forwarding company,we should learn more about the background of the freight forwarding company and the size of the freight forwarding company,so as to avoid choosing an unprofessional freight forwarding company.
Reasons for logistics operators
When we deliver the goods to the freight forwarding company,the freight forwarding company will have logistics operators to process and deliver the goods.
If logistics operators because of not professional or operational mistakes will.So or when choosing a freight forwarding company,we should choose a more professional freight forwarding company,choose a more formal company,the company has developed for a longer time,this will be relatively more professional.
Reasons for the shipping company
The improper operation of the cargo ship company will also cause delays in transportation,which will affect the entire cargo ship so that the timeliness of transportation will be affected.
Causes of natural disasters
Natural disasters are the most difficult to avoid in the transportation process,although there is such a thing as a weather forecast,the weather is unpredictable.Sometimes the weather forecast is inaccurate.In case of bad conditions in transit
Snowstorms,storms,mudslides,and other conditions are also inevitable.
customs reasons
Sometimes the customs will be quite strict,if the customs check your goods,the goods themselves can be passed smoothly,if there is a problem with the goods,they may be detained.
