If you buy from China or other countries abroad, you cannot avoid international shipping. It can be challenging, especially in terms of pricing. We have broken down shipping costs from China to the US.
What are the shipping costs from China to the US?
Many factors influence shipping costs from China to the United States. Below are some of them.
Shipping mode
There are many shipping methods, and each is priced differently. When shipping from China to the US, the available options are sea freight and air freight.
- Sea freight is typically the most cost-effective method for large shipments. The downside is that it has a longer transit time, often taking several weeks.
- Air freight is faster than sea freight, as you can ship by air in days. However, it is the most expensive shipping mode and is ideal for smaller, high-value shipments.
Shipment weight and volume
Shipping costs depend on the weight and volume of your shipment. Generally, the bigger and heavier the shipment, the higher the shipping costs.
Customs duties and taxes
Goods sourced from China to the US are subject to customs duties and taxes. The Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) determines these values based on the goods’ HS code.
Shipping time
Express services are expected to be more expensive, but sometimes they are necessary, such as for time-sensitive loads.
Shipping rates and surcharges
Shipping rates are one thing, but there are also many surcharges, such as:
- fuel surcharges
- peak season surcharges
- security surcharges
- port fees
- etc.
If you factor them all in, the overall shipping is, of course, higher.
Current events that shape the shipping industry
Current events also influence shipping costs and transit times. Some of them are:
Asia–Europe rates keep sliding, but carriers are pushing back
The Drewry World Container Index fell 2% to $4,351 per 40ft container, with Shanghai–Rotterdam down 2% to $3,337 and Shanghai–Genoa holding at $3,696. This lane had already declined for 12 straight weeks by early October because of weak demand. For European importers and forwarders, this is a good moment to buy, but carriers plan higher FAK rates for the second half of October, so quotes may jump once post‑Golden Week cargo returns.
The return to Suez is speeding up, with mixed routings
Sea-Intelligence estimates that 27% of Asia–Europe capacity in September went through the Red Sea and Suez Canal, though Asia-to-Europe services are lagging. ONE, HMM and Yang Ming are moving their FE1 Southeast Asia–North Europe service back to Suez this month, the Premier Alliance’s first switch away from the Cape. Shippers gain shorter transits and extra capacity that pushes rates down. However, one carrier may quote a Suez service while another still goes around the Cape, so the full routing should be checked rather than assuming a shorter transit. If a vessel has to divert back mid-voyage, that typically adds 7–14 days on Asia–North Europe.
Hormuz attacks are escalating and Gulf surcharges are high
A maritime security firm advising major Gulf suppliers has urged shipowners to suspend Hormuz transits, citing at least 14 attacks on tankers and gas carriers since 28 September. Maersk charges an extra USD 1,000 per container on vessels transiting the Strait, on top of an Emergency Freight Rate covering onward transport to the upper Gulf. That rate is $1,800 per 20′ and $3,000 per 40′ dry container. For China exporters selling to the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar or Kuwait, this means much higher landed costs and longer delivery times. Congestion and limited berths at Khor Fakkan are already delaying cargo clearance.
Transpacific rates remain far above other lanes
Shanghai–New York rose 1% to $10,428 per 40ft, while Shanghai–Los Angeles held at $7,835. Momentum on China–US is starting to weaken, while China–Southeast Asia rates are still climbing. US-bound importers should budget for East Coast costs roughly three times Asia–Europe levels and consider West Coast routings. Forwarders may see a short window of correction after Golden Week.
The US–China trade truce has been extended to 10 January 2027
The extension keeps tariffs tied to fentanyl at 10% and continues suspending the Section 301 investigation into China’s maritime and logistics sector. That means no November cliff for duties or port fees. Expect some importers to frontload cargo before January, overlapping with the pre‑Chinese New Year rush and tightening transpacific space.
Port congestion is at a four-year high
Global port congestion is absorbing about 12% of vessel capacity, the highest in four years, hitting East Asia, North Europe and the Indian Subcontinent hardest. In Europe, Rotterdam and Antwerp face barge and feeder delays of 12–24 hours, and Bremerhaven’s yard occupancy is at 92%. Cheaper ocean rates can be partly offset by inland delays, missed connections and demurrage and detention charges, so importers should collect containers promptly and build in buffer time.
Air freight faces a capacity test after Golden Week, with fuel costs elevated
The key moment for Asia comes once factories restart and exports flow back. If US-bound demand absorbs more freighter capacity, some Asia–Europe origins could tighten even without a jump in European demand. Because of Middle East fuel volatility, Maersk now ties its air fuel surcharge to market indices, at a minimum of 15% of the transport rate. Shippers planning urgent pre‑Christmas air cargo from China should book early and expect surcharges to move independently of base rates.
Shipping costs from China to the US – updated October 2026
Here are the trends of shipping costs from China to the US and other directions:
- -2% on the China – Europe route
- 0.9% on the China – West Coast of the US route
- 2.4% on the China – East Coast of the US route
- 3.8% on the China – Southeast route
- -3.3% on the China – South America route
| Type | Route | Container or kg | Transit time (days) | Shipping cost |
| FCL Sea | Ningbo – Selangor | 40’HC | 7-10 | USD 1,600 – 2,400 |
| FCL Sea | Shanghai – Durban | 40’HC | 35-40 | USD 7,000 – 7,300 |
| LCL Sea | Shanghai – Gdansk | 550 kg | 45-55 | USD 120 – 200 |
| LCL Sea | Tianjin – Gdansk | 1200 kg | 45-55 | USD 180 – 300 |
| Air | Ningbo – Barranquilla | 4,100 kg | 3-7 | USD 30,000 – 32,000 |
| FCL Rail | Nanjing – Gladczyn Rzadowy | 40’HC | 20-25 | USD 9,400 – 10,400 |
| LCL Rail | Tianjin – Proszowice | 90 kg | 15-20 | USD 150 – 250 |
Don’t miss out and ship now before they rise again.
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