Shipping from China to the USA. Container (FCL and LCL). Sea freight, air freight, and express

Costs of importation directly depend on your shipping expenses. So, it is important to choose the right way of transfer and know about the prices beforehand.

Transfer costs depend on many factors, like weight, the destination of consignment, and others. While shipping you will have several options to choose from, sea freight, air freight, and express. In this article, we will look at the prices, timings of shipping from China to the US.

1. Sea freight

There are two modes of sea freight to choose from. FCL and LCL.

FCL.

FCL – Full Container Load. It means that you will use the whole container. So, it is the best option if you are transferring high-quantity of goods. And this mode is one the cheapest options.

FCL timings.

The shipping time depends on the port of origin, the destination, and the mode. If you are using a port-to-port shipment service, it would take around 15-45 days to ship from China to the USA. While door-to-door service will take around

FCL costs

FCL costs will depend on various factors. Like the size of the container, destination, origin, and others. Interestingly, the season of transfer also will affect the price. Usually, the price for shipping from China to:

• Lost angles costs around $3.500 for 20’ containers.

•  New York costs around $5.500 for 40’ containers.

•  Miami costs around $4500 for 40’ containers.

In general, the average price for an FCL is around $4.000. These days, prices are becoming high because of the high demand.

LCL

LCL – Less than a Container Load. It is the best option if you are shipping more than 300 kg from China to the US. Your goods will be delivered in one container with the consignments of other importers. Shortly saying, your goods will share a container with others.

LCL timings

Season of shipping time affects deadlines. Usually, before holidays the ocean is busy and orders are delayed. LCL shipping from China to the US will take around 14-42 days, if you are using a port-to-port service, depending on the distance between ports. While door-to-door service will require around 22-50 days.

LCL shipping costs

The price of transfer depends on the size, weight of your goods and the distance between origin and destination.

The average price for shipping from:

• Shenzhen, Shanghai, or Ningbo to Dallas would be around $700 – $900 depending on the port of origin.

•  Shenzhen, Shanghai, or Ningbo to Lost Angeles would be around $650 – $850 depending on the port of origin.

•   Shenzhen, Shanghai, or Ningbo to New York would be around $600 – $800 depending on the port of origin.

2.    Airfreight

Shipping via air is faster compared to other methods. It can be the best choice if you are transferring more than 100kg of goods. In addition, this is the perfect way of shipment if your good is sensitive or with limited shelf-life.

Airfreight timings.

Airfreight takes around 1-5 days if the consignment is delivered only from the airport of China to the airport of the USA. And more than a week if it is door-to-door delivery.

Airfreight cost

The price of airfreight depends on the weight, size, and type of your product. The cost per kg will be less if the total weight of a shipment is high.  For example, the price of shipping from China to the US, per kg is around $65, if you are shipping less than 10kg. However, it would cost around $5 if the total weight of the freight is 300kg.

3.    Express

Express is the fastest and the most expensive way of shipping from China to the US. This can be the option if you are shipping samples or small quantities of products.

Express shipping timings

As it was said, it is the fastest way of shipping from China. It will take only 2-5 days. Don’t forget that door-to-door services are conducted only.

Express shipping costs.

The cost of the shipment depends on size, weight, type, and deadline requirements. But usually, express shipping from China to the US costs around $5-$9.

Conclusion

Shipping from China to the US is expensive, but not as much as people claim. To decrease shipping costs, try to choose the most optimal season and time of shipment. Transfer of a container from China to the US costs around $3.500.