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.
Shipping costs from China to the US – factors
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:
- Red Sea crisis
- extreme weather conditions in Africa
- congestions in Asian ports
- Panama Canal issue
Please stay up to date with current events to proceed accordingly with your sourcing business and minimize losses.
Shipping costs from China to the US – updated July 2024
In terms of shipping costs from China to the US and other directions, rates are showing an upward trend:
- +6.1% on the China – West Coast of the US route
- +7.7% on the China – Europe route
- +2.2% on the China – East Coast of the US route
- +6.6% on the China – Southeast route
| Type | Route | Container or kg | Transit time (days) | Shipping cost |
| FCL Sea | Ningbo – Rotterdam | 40’HC | 30-35 | USD 9,000 – 10,000 |
| FCL Sea | Shanghai – Long Beach | 40’HC | 20-25 | USD 7,500 – 9,000 |
| Air | Shanghai – New York | 300 kg | 7-10 | USD 3,000 – 3,500 |
| FCL Rail | Qingdao – Malschwitz | 40’HC | 20-25 | USD 8,500 – 9,500 |
Don’t miss out and ship now before they rise more.
Request free quotes from reliable freight forwarders on ShipHub, compare different shipping options, and stay updated on rates to make informed decisions.