Global economic integration has made international trade an indispensable component. Among the most significant trade corridors is the one connecting China, the epicenter of global manufacturing, with the USA, a pivotal consumer market. The affordability of shipping expenses is crucial in shaping the sustainability of trade links across these vast distances.

Shipping expenses from China to USA are influenced by numerous elements, such as the transportation mode, cargo classification, shipping duration, and service type. This guide will delve into the various shipping options and their associated costs, providing insights to assist you in selecting the optimal logistics strategy.

Shipping from China to USA

• Air freight and Sea freight from China to USA
  Air freight is suitable for urgent and high-value goods, with fast shipping time but high cost. Sea freight is suitable for bulk and low-value goods, with long shipping time but low cost.
• Door to door shipping from China to USA
  Door-to-door shipping services include the entire journey from the supplier’s warehouse to the destination warehouse, covering all aspects such as pickup, transportation, customs clearance and delivery.
• DDP shipping from China to USA
  DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) is an international trade term that means the seller bears all costs and risks until the goods are delivered to the buyer’s designated location, including payment of import duties and taxes.

How Much does it Cost to Ship from China to USA (Updated January 2025)

The expense of transporting goods from China to USA significantly differs based on the choice between air and ocean freight. Generally, air freight charges fall between $5 to $12 per kilogram, whereas sea freight charges for a 20-foot container range from $2,800 to $4,500. You can refer to the table below:

Shipping Method	Shipping From China to USA (Cost)
Sea Shipping (20ft Container)	Approx. USD 3,050 for a 20ft container
Sea Shipping (40ft Container)	Approx. USD 4,050 for a 40ft container
Sea Shipping (LCL)	Approx. USD 110 per cubic meters (m3)
Air Freight Shipping	Approx. USD 550 for 100kg
Door to Door Shipping	Approx. USD 10 to 15 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 & 40ft container from china to USA

Container shipping service from China to USA	Type of container	Ocean freight rates from China to USA:
How much does it cost to ship a container from Shanghai China to USA.	20 foot container FCL 40 foot container FCL	average price from: $2550 20FT average price from: $3550 40FT
How much does it cost to ship a container from Shenzhen China to USA.	20 foot container FCL 40 foot container FCL	average price from: $2850 20FT average price from: $3750 40FT
How much does it cost to ship a container from Ningbo-Zhoushan China to USA.	20 foot container FCL 40 foot container FCL	average price from: $2650 20FT average price from: $3750 40FT
How much does it cost to ship a container from Hong Kong China to USA.	20 foot container FCL 40 foot container FCL	average price from: $2650 20FT average price from: $4050 40FT
How much does it cost to ship a container from Guangzhou China to USA.	20 foot container FCL 40 foot container FCL	average price from: $2750 20FT average price from: $3850 40FT
How much does it cost to ship a container from Qingdao China to USA	20 foot container FCL 40 foot container FCL	average price from: $2850 20FT average price from: $3850 40FT
How much does it cost to ship a container from Tianjin China to USA	20 foot container FCL 40 foot container FCL	average price from: $2850 20FT average price from: $4250 40FT
How much does it cost to ship a container from Dalian China to USA	20 foot container FCL 40 foot container FCL	average price from: $2850 20FT average price from: $3850 40FT
How much does it cost to ship a container from Xiamen China to USA	20 foot container FCL 40 foot container FCL	average price from: $2950 20FT average price from: $3950 40FT
How much does it cost to ship a container from Yingkou China to USA	20 foot container FCL 40 foot container FCL	average price from: $2850 20FT average price from: $4050 40FT

Air freight cost per kg from China to USA

Air freight is faster but generally more expensive than ocean freight. It’s often chosen for time-sensitive shipments or valuable goods.

Air freight costs are typically calculated based on the weight and volume of the shipment. The cost for air freight from China to the US could range from $4 to $10 USD per kilogram (kg). However, prices can fluctuate due to factors such as fuel prices, demand, and the specific route.

45kg	100kg	300kg	500kg
$5.48-$12.43	$4.68-$10.00	$4.38-$8.00	$4.12-$7.72

From Shenzhen, China to different cities in the USA, the cargo weight is 100kg, and the estimated price per kilogram is as follows

1. From: Shenzhen To: New York, Cost: $6.50 per kg
2. From: Shenzhen To: Los Angeles, Cost: $6.55 per kg
3. From: Shenzhen To: Chicago, Cost: $6.05 per kg
4. From: Shenzhen To: Houston, Cost: $6.00 per kg
5. From: Shenzhen To: Phoenix, Cost: $5.50 per kg
6. From: Shenzhen To: Philadelphia, Cost: $5.65 per kg
7. From: Shenzhen To: San Antonio, Cost: $5.20 per kg
8. From: Shenzhen To: San Diego, Cost: $5.85 per kg
9. From: Shenzhen To: Dallas, Cost: $6.15 per kg
10. From: Shenzhen To: San Jose, Cost: $5.55 per kg

Additional costs for shipping from China to the USA:

• It’s important to consider additional costs beyond the base freight rate. These can include:
• Port Charges: Charges related to the use of the port facilities, handling, and administration.
• Customs Fees and Duties: Import duties, taxes, and customs clearance fees vary based on the type of goods and their value.
• Inland Transportation: Costs associated with moving goods to and from the ports.
• Insurance: Freight insurance to protect against damage, loss, or theft during transportation.
• Documentation Fees: Charges for processing and handling the required shipping documents.
• Destination Charges: Charges at the US port for unloading, handling, and other services.
• Container Type and Special Requirements: Specialized containers or requirements, such as refrigerated containers, can come with additional costs.
• Market Dynamics: Shipping costs can be influenced by various market factors, including global economic conditions, trade imbalances, fuel prices, and geopolitical events. These dynamics can lead to fluctuations in shipping rates over time.

To get accurate and up-to-date shipping cost information from China to US ports and port charges, please contact Presou freight forwarding experts, we can provide you with a custom quote based on your specific shipping needs and the latest shipping costs.

Factors affecting shipping costs from China to the USA

1. Shipping Mode: The choice between air freight, ocean freight, or rail freight significantly impacts the cost. Air freight is generally faster but more expensive, while ocean freight is more economical for larger shipments.
2. Container Type and Size: Different types and sizes of shipping containers come with varying costs. Standard containers, high cube containers, and specialized containers have different price points.
3. Distance and Route: The geographical distance between China and the United States is a significant factor. Longer distances typically lead to higher transportation costs due to fuel consumption and other expenses.
4. Carrier and Logistics Provider: The shipping company or logistics provider you choose will have different pricing structures, service levels, and negotiated rates.
5. Current Market Conditions: Shipping costs can be influenced by supply and demand dynamics, geopolitical factors, fuel prices, and global economic conditions.
6. Customs and Duties: Import duties, taxes, customs clearance fees, and other related charges can add to the overall shipping cost.
7. Incoterms: The selected Incoterms (International Commercial Terms) determine which party is responsible for various costs, such as transportation, insurance, and customs duties.
8. Weight and Volume: Heavier and bulkier shipments may incur higher charges due to increased fuel consumption and limited space utilization.

Cost of Shipping From China to USA（China to USA Shipping Price）, Given the complexity and variability of these factors, it’s recommended to directly reach out Presou freight forwarders companies for the most accurate and up-to-date information on current shipping costs from China to the United States. Presou can provide you with a custom quote based on your specific shipping requirements.

Door to Door & DDP Shipping Costs from China to USA

Cost of Door to door shipping from China to the USA

Door to Door Air Freight from China to USA

Door-to-door air freight services are usually used for urgent goods and high-value goods, and the costs are higher.

• Shipping freight from China to the USA via air cargo typically costs between $5 to $12 per kilogram, contingent on the weight and volume of the shipment.
• Supplementary expenses, such as fuel surcharges, security surcharges, and handling fees, are often incurred, adding an extra $1 to $3 per kilogram to the base cost.
• Considering the cumulative expenses, for a 100-kilogram shipment, the overall door-to-door air freight cost to the USA could range from $600 to $1,500.

Door to Door Sea Freight from China to USA

Door-to-door sea freight services are suitable for bulk commodities and non-urgent goods, and the cost is lower.

• Shipping freight from China to the USA by sea involves different costs for various container sizes. The freight cost for a 20-foot container typically ranges from $2,000 to $3,500, while for a 40-foot container, it can be between $3,000 to $5,500.
• Additional expenses such as port fees, customs clearance fees, and delivery fees are also applicable, usually amounting to an extra $300 to $500 per container.
• Taking all costs into account, the total door-to-door shipping expense for a 20-foot container to the USA might be in the range of $2,500 to $4,000.

Cost of DDP Shipping from China to USA

Air Freight DDP Shipping from China to USA

Air Freight DDP is suitable for urgent and high-value goods, and the cost includes all taxes and customs clearance fees.

Freight: It is about 7-12 US dollars per kilogram, depending on the weight and volume of the goods.
Duties and taxes: It is usually 5-20% of the value of the goods, depending on the type and value of the goods.
Total cost: For example, a 100 kg shipment, the total cost of air freight DDP may be between 1500-2000 US dollars.

Ocean Freight DDP Shipping from China to USA

Ocean Freight DDP is suitable for bulk and non-urgent goods, with lower costs but longer time.

Freight: The freight cost of a 20-foot container is about 1200-2500 US dollars, and the freight cost of a 40-foot container is about 2500-4000 US dollars.
Duties and taxes: It is usually 5-20% of the value of the goods, depending on the type and value of the goods.
Total cost: For example, the total cost of ocean freight DDP for a 20-foot container may be between $3,000-4,500.

Learn more: Presou DDP 8.0: Comprehensive One-Stop Solution for Shipping from China

China to US ports and port charges

Shipping costs can vary based on multiple factors including the type of cargo, shipping mode, carrier, and current market conditions.

Ocean Freight:

Ocean freight is a common choice for shipping goods in larger quantities due to its cost-effectiveness. Shipping costs for ocean freight are usually calculated per container, and the rates can differ based on container type, size, and shipping route.

Port charges from China to USA, For a standard 20-foot container (TEU) shipping from a major Chinese port (e.g., Shanghai) to a US West Coast port (e.g., Los Angeles), you might expect the cost to range from around $2,500 to $3,500 USD. For a 40-foot container (FEU), the cost could range from $3,500 to $5,500 USD. Keep in mind that these are approximate figures and can vary significantly based on the factors mentioned earlier.

How to calculate the cost of shipping from China to the USA

Air Express, Air Freight, and Sea Freight are the three shipping options available from China to the US. Air Express has the highest shipping rates whereas Sea Freight has the lowest shipping rates. Does this mean that Sea Freight is the cheapest shipping method from China to the US? Well, the fact that Sea Freight has the lowest shipping rates does not mean that it is the ideal shipping method for all goods. It is the cheapest if you are shipping heavy and bulky goods. On the other hand, Air Freight and Air Express are suitable for shipping light goods.

For goods weighing less than 150 kg, air freight is the most suitable mode of transportation. For goods weighing more than 200 kg, sea freight is the cheapest way to ship from China to the USA.

If importers decide to ship by sea, they have two more alternatives; Less Container Load (LCL) and Full Container Load (FCL). Goods are shipped as FLC when the shipper has a large shipment that can fill a 20ft or 40ft container. If the shipment is not large enough, it will be shipped as LCL, where the goods will be merged with other shippers’ goods in one container. In FCL, a shipper pays for the whole container while in LCL, a shipper only pays for the space their goods occupy.

2.1 Weight and volume of the cargo

The weight of the cargo has to be measured to determine the shipping rates. The heavier the shipment, the higher the shipping rates. At times, a shipper can have a large but light cargo. In such cases, the volume determines the shipping rates.

When determining Air Freight shipping prices from China to the US, the actual weight of the cargo is compared with the volumetric weight. The procedure for calculating the volumetric weight is as follows:

2.2 Volumetric Weight = (L*W*H)/6000

If the volumetric weight is higher than the actual weight, the shipping rates will be calculated based on the volumetric weight. If the actual weight is higher than the volumetric weight, the actual weight will be the chargeable weight.

2.3 Transit time

Shipping time from China to the US is one of the top factors affecting shipping prices. Do you need to ship your goods in the fastest way possible? If this is the case, you should brace yourself for some high shipping prices. This explains why Air Express is the most expensive shipping method while Sea Freight is the cheapest. With Air Express, transit time from China to the USA ranges from 1 to 4 days. It is even possible to deliver goods online but this will be very costly.

Air Freight is not as fast as Air Express, but it is faster than Sea Freight. For this reason, air freight shipping prices from China to the USA are lower than the rates for air express and higher than the rates for Sea Freight. The transit time can be around 3 to 7 days.

Sea Freight shipping time from China to the USA ranges from 30 to 40 days. It is much slower than other shipping methods, but it reflects the shipping rates. Sea Freight can be five times cheaper than Air Freight. Depending on the urgency of the goods, you can make an estimate on the shipping rates. Due to the high shipping prices in air express, you should consider using this method only for emergencies.

2.4 Distance

Shipping prices from China to the US vary depending on the distance between the point of cargo loading and the point of cargo delivery. Cost of shipping from China to USA （China to USA shipping price）40ft Container shipping prices from China to the West Coast of the US range from $4500. Shipping the same 40ft container to the East Coast will cost around $6000. The distance covered from China to the East Coast is more than the distance covered from China to the West Coast, hence the dissimilarity in the shipping rates.

2.5 Type of Delivery Service

There are four types of delivery services, including:

     · Port-to-port
     · Door-to-door
     · Door-to-port
     · Port-to-door

Air Express is a courier service, so the type of delivery service is already pre-determined (door-to-door). With Air Freight, the delivery service is port-to-port, unless you make a requisition for the shipping prices to be ‘all-included.’ With ‘all-included’, the shipping costs will include the transportation charges from the factory to the airport of loading and transportation charges from the airport of delivery to the final destination.

2.6 Season of shipping

There are times when the shipping rates are at their peak (high seasons) and times when the rates are down (low seasons). For an importer, it is essential to know these seasons to schedule your shipment.

The peak seasons are usually during the Chinese holidays. These holidays include the Chinese New year (1 February), Dragon Boat Festival (3 – 5 June), Qing Ming Festival (5 April), the Golden Week (1-7 October), and the Mid-Autumn Festival (10 – 12 September), etc.

Cheapest way to ship from China to the USA

The cheapest shipping method from China to the USA will depend on several factors, including the type of goods you’re shipping, the urgency of delivery, and your budget constraints. Here are some of the most cost-effective shipping options to consider:

Ocean Freight (LCL – Less Than Container Load): If you’re shipping goods that don’t require a full container, less than container load (LCL) shipping can be cost-effective. LCL consolidates multiple shipments into a single container, allowing you to share the costs with other shippers. While it may take longer than other options, it’s generally more budget-friendly.

Economy Air Freight: While air freight is typically more expensive than ocean freight, some carriers offer economy or deferred air freight options that can help you save money. This might be suitable for smaller, time-sensitive shipments.

Freight Forwarders: Freight forwarders can help you find the best shipping options based on your needs and budget. They often have established relationships with carriers and can negotiate better rates on your behalf.

Bulk Shipping: If you’re dealing with larger quantities of goods, bulk shipping might provide cost savings. However, this option is most suitable for specific industries and products.

Consolidation Services: Some companies specialize in consolidating shipments from various suppliers and shipping them together, reducing costs through bulk shipping rates.

Utilizing Trade Agreements: Depending on the type of goods and existing trade agreements, you might be able to benefit from reduced tariffs or fees, which can impact the overall cost.

Cost of Shipping From China to USA （China to USA shipping price）, When choosing the cheapest shipping method, it’s crucial to balance cost with your specific requirements. Keep in mind that while cost savings are essential, you should also consider factors like delivery time, reliability, and the value of your goods. Additionally, customs duties, taxes, and other fees should be factored into your budgeting.

To determine the most cost-effective shipping option for your specific situation, consult a Shipping Presou logistics professional who can provide personalized advice based on your needs and preferences. Keep in mind that shipping costs can vary widely, and the cheapest option for one shipment may not be the best option for another.

Shipping Time from China to USA

Standard air freight from China to the USA usually takes 3 to 7 days. It’s not that the plane is slow, but that customs clearance, transportation, etc. take time. Express air freight service is usually 2-3 days shorter than standard air freight.
It usually takes 25 to 45 days to ship from China to the USA. For example, it takes about 25-35 days to ship from Shenzhen to the West Coast port of the United States, and about 30 to 40 days to the East Coast port of the United States, so you’d better figure out which ports in China are shipped to which ports in the United States.

Port of China	Port of USA	Transit time (days)
Port of Shanghai	Port of New York	33
Port of Shenzhen	Port of Newark	30
Port of Ningbo-Zhoushan	Port of Baltimore	35
Port of Hong Kong	Port of Norfolk	36
Port of Guangzhou	Port of Savannah	32
Port of Qingdao	Port of Miami	38
Port of Tianjin	Port of Houston	32
Port of Dalian	Port of Los Angeles	32
Port of Xiamen	Port of Washington	32
Port of Yingkou	Port of Tacoma	35

How Can A Freight Forwarder Facilitate The Import And Shipping Process From China To The USA?

For you to import from China to USA, it is important to be aware of the patterns you can choose and the customs clearance process as well. It is important to know the documents required for the customs clearance process and prepare for it to avoid any delay or loss in the clearance process. Freight forwarder like Presou Logistics, has extensive experience in shipping from China to the USA and can offer the most suitable options based on your logistics needs. You can also ask your freight forwarder to get quotes for both air freight and sea freight and choose the option that is most convenient for you.

Shipping methods vary depending on your requirements, and if you want the fastest or most cost-effective way.