When it comes to shipping from China to the US, one of the most commonly asked questions is, “What is the transit time?” There are many shipping routes from China to the US. You can ship from China to the United States by sea or air. What is the shipping from China to the US transit time depending on the mode of transportation? Let’s explore the cheapest and fastest shipping options between those two countries.
What is the difference between shipping time, transit time, and lead time?
Shipping duration from China to the US can have different meanings:
- shipping time is the total time it takes for goods to move from the point of origin (supplier’s or manufacturer’s site) to the destination (such as a warehouse or customer)
- transit time is when the goods are in transit (no loading, unloading, customs clearance period, etc.)
- lead time is the total time required to complete an entire process from ordering to the delivery of the finished product, including processing, manufacturing, and shipping
- freight time is the duration of transportation specifically by freight carriers, excluding handling and waiting times.
Shipping from China to the US – transit time
Shipping time from China to the US depends on many factors, such as:
- handling time
- transit time (depends on the shipping method)
- processing time
- season
- location
- shipment size.
Shipping time usually does not include order preparation and customs clearance.
Fastest shipping from China to the US – shortest transit time via air freight
Air freight is undeniably the fastest option. Therefore, it is the best for perishable goods like flowers, pharmaceuticals, etc. It is suitable for small to medium-sized parcels.
Cheapest shipping method from China to the US – sea freight
Sea freight is slower in comparison with air shipping but more cost-effective. It is the best shipping mode for large shipments and bulk goods.
China-US transit time comparison
The table below shows average shipping times from China to the US (transit time)
| Shipping mode | Door-to-door | Port to port |
|---|---|---|
| Sea freight LCL | 23-51 days | 24-42 days |
| Sea freight FCL | 19-48 days | 14-43 days |
| Air freight | 5-10 days | 1-5 days |
| Express | 2-5 days | – |
Which shipping mode from China to the US should you choose?
Before you choose between air freight and sea freight, consider these factors:
- size and weight of products: larger volumes benefit from sea freight, while smaller, high-value items are best shipped via air freight
- if time is critical, pick air freight (especially for perishable goods)
- if you ship on a budget, the most cost-efficient is sea freight.
Whichever you choose, make sure to work with reputable freight forwarders. You can find them for free on ShipHub. Just send an inquiry, choose the best offer, and don’t worry about your shipment.
