China is one of the main sources of imports for the United States. The total trade volume between the two countries ranks among the top in the world. From consumer electronics to industrial equipment, the trade between the two countries is frequent. With the increase in transportation services, the cost of transportation has also attracted much attention. This article will introduce the transportation costs from China to the United States in detail.
Introduction to USA
The logistics network between China and the United States is well developed, mainly relying on sea and air transportation, with many ports and aviation hubs.
Major ports in USA
- Port of Los Angeles: The largest port in the United States, it is one of the busiest cargo ports for trans-Pacific trade and receives most of the Asian imports
- Port of Long Beach: It forms a dual-port system with the Port of Los Angeles, with 6 terminals, handling freight from Asia to the Americas.
- Port of New York-New Jersey: The largest comprehensive port on the East Coast of the United States, it is also the third largest container port in the United States and the second largest automobile import and export port in the United States.
- Port of Savannah: A rapidly developing port in the southeast, it is a deep-water port that can accommodate large cargo ships.
- Port of Seattle: An important node on the North Pacific route. The second largest container port in the United States.
- Port of Houston: Located in Texas, it is the second largest energy and trade port in the United States and the sixth largest in the world.
Major airports in USA
- San Francisco International Airport (SFO): Located in California, it is one of the important international airports in the United States.
- Los Angeles International Airport (LAX): Located in California, it is one of the busiest international airports in the United States, the largest entrance for air cargo, and has a large number of flights.
- Dallas International Airport (DFW): Located in Texas, it is an important aviation hub in the United States, covering the freight network in the central and southern parts of the country.
- Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD): Located in Illinois, it is one of the largest aviation hubs in the United States and the core of inland freight transit.
- New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK): Located in New York State, it is an important international airport in the United States, connecting many cities around the world.
- Miami International Airport (MIA): Located in Florida, it is an important international aviation hub in the United States.
Shipping from China to USA
Sea Freight
Ocean shipping is the most common mode of transportation in international transportation. It is low-cost and can handle large quantities of goods, so it is the first choice for bulk transportation. However, ocean shipping is slower, and there are two main ocean shipping services. You can choose FCL and LCL according to the characteristics of the goods.
Air Freight
Air freight is the fastest option and has higher security. It is suitable for items that need to be delivered quickly, such as fresh food or expensive electronic products. Although it is expensive, it is chosen for its speed and reliability.
You may also be interested in: Door to door shipping from China
How Much Does it Cost to Ship from China to USA
Shipping costs from China to the USA will vary greatly depending on whether you choose air or sea freight. Air freight costs typically range from $5 to $12 per kg, while sea freight costs range from $2,500 to $4,200 for a 20ft container. You can refer to the table below:
| Shipping Method | Shipping From China to USA (Cost) |
|---|---|
| Sea Shipping (20ft Container) | Approx. USD 2,750 for a 20ft container |
| Sea Shipping (40ft Container) | Approx. USD 3,350 for a 40ft container |
| Sea Shipping (LCL) | Approx. USD 120 per cubic meters (m3) |
| Air Freight Shipping | Approx. USD 650 for 100kg |
| Door to Door Shipping | Approx. USD 12 to 16 per kgs or approx. USD 140 – 220 per m3 |
| DDP Air Freight | Approx. USD 12 to 18 per kgs |
| DDP Sea Freight | Approx. USD 180 to 350 per cbm (m3) |
| Express Shipping | Approx. USD 15.5 per Kgs |
Cost of Shipping 20ft and 40ft Containers from China to USA
The table below shows the average price of container shipping from China to the United States, which lists the cheapest prices for 20ft and 40ft containers (FCL) for shipping various types of goods from major Chinese ports to the United States:
| POL (Port of China) | POL (Port of USA) | 20ft Container Cost | 40ft Container Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shanghai | Los Angeles | $2050-$3000 | $3200-$4500 |
| Shenzhen | Los Angeles | $2000-$2900 | $3150-$4650 |
| Ningbo | Los Angeles | $2000-$3000 | $3350-$4750 |
| Shanghai | Long Beach | $2050-$2950 | $3250-$4550 |
| Shenzhen | Long Beach | $2150-$3000 | $3150-$4600 |
| Ningbo | Long Beach | $2000-$2850 | $3200-$4500 |
| Shanghai | New York | $3000-$3800 | $4050-$5550 |
| Shenzhen | New York | $3050-$3900 | $4350-$5600 |
| Ningbo | New York | $3050-$4000 | $4200-$5650 |
| Shanghai | Savannah | $3050-$3900 | $4100-$5600 |
| Shenzhen | Savannah | $3050-$3850 | $4100-$5750 |
| Ningbo | Savannah | $3050-$3900 | $4300-$5850 |
| Shanghai | Houston | $2850-$3700 | $4100-$5650 |
| Shenzhen | Houston | $2950-$3900 | $4050-$5650 |
| Ningbo | Houston | $2800-$3900 | $4050-$5650 |
LCL Shipping Cost from China to USA
Less than Container Load (LCL) is a type of shipping where goods will share space with other goods in the same container. This mode of transportation is ideal for goods that are too small to fill an entire container, and the goods do not exceed 13-15 CBM (cubic meters). The following is the cost range of LCL shipping on major routes:
| POL (port of loading) | POD (port of discharge) | LCL Cost/CBM |
|---|---|---|
| Shanghai | Los Angeles | $30-$50 |
| Shenzhen | Long Beach | $35-$55 |
| Qingdao | Seattle | $30-$50 |
| Ningbo | New York-New Jersey | $40-$60 |
| Tianjin | Houston | $50-$75 |
| Guangzhou | Savannah | $45-$70 |
Air Freight Cost from China to USA
Air freight costs are mainly affected by cargo weight, volume and delivery time. Ubest Shipping provides real-time air freight quotes to ensure that customers get the most suitable solution. The following are the air freight costs for major routes:
| Departure Airport (China) | Arrival Airport (USA) | Cost Range (USD/kg) |
| Shanghai Pudong | Los Angeles | $5.50 – $7.50 |
| Guangzhou Baiyun | San Francisco | $6.00 – $7.80 |
| Beijing Capital | Dallas | $5.50 – $7.80 |
| Shenzhen Baoan | Chicago O’Hare | $5.50 – $7.20 |
| Hongkong | New York John F. Kennedy | $6.00 – $7.50 |
| Chengdu Shuangliu | Miami | $5.50 – $7.20 |
DDP Shipping Cost from China to USA
DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) is one of the international trade terms, which means the seller delivers the goods at the buyer’s designated location and bears all costs and risks, including transportation fees, insurance premiums, import duties and taxes, etc. Under DDP conditions, the seller is responsible for all logistics and costs from the place of origin (such as China) to the final destination.
| Service Type | From | To | LCL cost | 20-foot container (FCL) | 40-foot container (FCL) |
| Sea Freight DDP | China | USA | $150 – $200/CBM | $3,800 – $5,500 | $4,800 – $6,500 |
| Air Freight DDP | China | USA | $8 – $15/kg |
Learn more: The Difference Between DDP and DAP in International Trade
Additional Costs for Shipping from China to USA
In addition to the basic costs, there are the following additional costs for shipping from China to the United States:
- Fuel surcharge: usually charged by weight or volume of goods.
- Port miscellaneous charges: such as terminal handling fees, demurrage and loading and unloading fees.
- Insurance costs: It is recommended to purchase cargo transportation insurance, the cost is generally 0.1%-0.5% of the value of the goods.
- Customs clearance fees: The customs clearance service fees for different goods are different.
How to Calculate the Cost from China to the USA
Freight from China to the United States is usually calculated based on the actual weight or volumetric weight of the cargo, whichever is higher. This ensures that freight forwarders can reasonably calculate large, light cargo and small, heavy cargo.
Actual weight
Actual weight refers to the actual weight of the cargo, in kilograms (kg).
Volumetric weight
Volume weight is calculated based on the volume of the cargo to ensure reasonable charges for cargo that takes up a lot of space.
Calculation formula: Weight (kg) = Length (cm) × Width (cm) × Height (cm) ÷ 6000.
If the volumetric weight of the cargo is higher than the actual weight, the freight is calculated based on the volumetric weight.
Calculation of Cargo Weight and Volume
Factors Affecting the Cost of Shipping from China to USA
The cost of shipping from China to USA can be affected by many factors:
- Cargo Weight and Volume: Heavy cargo is charged by weight, light cargo is charged by volumetric weight
- Transportation Distance and Port of Origin/Destination: Transportation costs are directly related to distance, and different routes and ports of destination will also affect costs
- Cargo Types: Dangerous goods, cold chain products or special goods require special handling and require additional fees.
- Seasonal and Market Fluctuations: Freight rates rise during peak seasons (such as before Christmas). Freight rates are relatively low during off-seasons.
- Customs Clearance and Taxes: US Customs may impose additional tariffs on certain goods, and the complexity of customs clearance will also affect the overall cost.
Tips to Reduce Shipping Costs from China to USA
Controlling freight costs is the key to increasing profits in international trade. Here are some tips to reduce freight costs from China to the United States:
Plan shipping time in advance
Try to avoid peak periods, such as before the Chinese New Year and before Christmas in Nigeria, to avoid peak freight increases.
Book in advance
Booking space in advance can lock in lower prices and avoid price increases caused by last-minute arrangements.
LCL shipping
Choosing LCL for small quantities of goods can significantly save costs.
Choose a professional freight forwarder
A professional freight forwarder can assist in arranging the right shipping method and customs clearance procedures to avoid unnecessary delays and additional costs.
Optimize cargo packaging
Package goods reasonably to reduce volume and weight and avoid unnecessary freight expenses.
Customs Clearance and Tariffs from China to USA
The customs clearance and tariff process from China to the United States includes multiple links
Customs declaration
In the United States, the import of goods must follow specific customs clearance procedures, and relevant customs clearance documents must be submitted after the goods arrive.
- Commercial invoice: details the name, quantity, price and other information of the goods.
- Packing list: a detailed list of goods in the container.
- Certificate of origin: proves the origin of the goods.
- Bill of lading: a document that proves that the goods have been carried and arrived at the designated destination.
- Import license (if applicable): For goods with import restrictions, an import license is required.
Tariffs
After the goods pass the inspection, they must pay relevant tariffs and value-added tax (VAT). Nigeria has different tariff and tax policies for different categories of goods.
The United States has different tariff rates for imported goods, and the common tariff rate ranges from 0% to 37.5%
Tariff calculation formula: Tariff = declared value × tariff rate
Value-added tax (VAT): The standard VAT rate in Nigeria is 7.5%. Almost all imported goods are subject to VAT.
VAT = (declared value + tariff) × VAT rate.
Learn more: Customs Clearance and Fees
How to Choose a Freight Forwarder from China to USA
- Experienced:Choose a freight forwarder who is familiar with shipping between China and USA
- Transparent quotation: Make sure the charges are clear and there are no hidden fees.
- Service scope: Able to provide full-process services from pickup to delivery.
- Efficient communication: Timely response and ability to solve unexpected problems.
- Customer reputation: Check other customers’ comments and cases.
- Service network: Investigate the freight forwarder’s transportation network coverage, including its cooperation with major shipping companies, airlines, etc.
How to Choose China Freight Forwarder
The shipping costs from China to the United States involve multiple links and variables. Through this article, you can understand the cost structure, market prices, and techniques to reduce freight costs, and complete international freight operations more efficiently.