Shipping from China can be a costly, time-consuming affair. It’s best to familiarize yourself with standard shipping costs and time estimates to avoid disappointment.

China is home to many worldwide suppliers, yet shipping from China to the US isn’t always straightforward.

In this article, you’ll learn what the most common shipment methods from China are, how long shipping can take, and general pricing information.

Shipping from China to USA: What methods can you use?

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.

Sea freight from China to 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
HS CODE of the product

Packing list
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 shipping method from China to USA.

Freight forwarder from China to USA

The third most popular option for shipping from China to the US is to use a freight forwarder. A freight forwarder is an intermediary that will handle all of the shipping logistics on your behalf.

Freight forwarders will use sea or air freight, and have expertise in preparing the necessary documents to carry out the shipment. They may also have access to shipping networks, and knowledge of the best shipping routes from China to the USA. This can speed up the process and make it convenient for small businesses to receive shipments from China.

Plus, door-to-door shipping from China to the USA is possible through freight services, meaning you can have the goods delivered to your address.