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Shipping Cost From China To USA: A Price Guide For Freight Shipments
Created on 12.03
International shipping, especially from China to the US, is a high-cost affair – fees, Customs charges, freight load costs, and so many other levies. And when you’re running on a tight budget, knowing your shipping cost from China to USA helps every bit.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ve detailed China to US shipment costs, calculations, and additional fee structures for all freight types – so you won’t have to crack your head over them.
Deciding The Shipping Cost From China To USA
The US-China trade lane is one of the busiest and of high value. To be able to gauge the cost you’ll incur when shipping from China to the US, consider these few factors :
· Shipping methods (air, ocean, rail, trucking)
· Cargo weight/volume
· Delivery timeline (express, next-day, etc.)
· Trade routes
· Customs costs, tariffs, and insurance
In global logistics, fees change day by day. A lot of this is attributed to fuel surcharges, handling, storage, and service demand. There’s also the penalties factor – improper documentation, undeclared goods, and transport of prohibited cargo. All these are likely to end up on your final invoice.
Air Freight Costs From China To The US
Shipments by air into the US are the fastest way to get your supplies – the average timeline is about 3 to 7 days. Naturally, the speed and efficiency of air freight mean you’ll have to pay more for the convenience.
Key cost drivers when calculating shipping from China to the US are :
· Chargeable Weight – Often, freighters use volumetric weight (kg). This can be calculated by [Length (cm) × Width (cm) × Height (cm)] / 6000. If the actual weight clocks higher than the volumetric weight, freight charges will be based on the higher.
· Fuel Surcharge – Global jet fuel prices change according to the active trade market, and carriers append this fee to make up for the real-time fuel rate changes.
· Security Fees & TSA Compliance – Should your shipment flout US trade laws or safety protocols, you’ll face fines and penalties on top of your cargo shipping cost.
· Airport Handling Fees – Like people, cargoes also get charged at both origin and destination air terminals. Usually, this will be based on the size and nature of your shipment.
How Much Does China – US Air Freight Cost?
For air freight, you can expect shipping costs to start from $5.00 – $8.00/ kg for cargo up to 100kg. Here’s the full break down of average air freight fees, per kilogram, when sending cargo from China to US soil :
Weight Range | Economy Air Freight (per kg, USD) | Express Air Courier (per kg, USD) |
Up to 100 kg | $5.00 – $8.00 | $6.50 – $12.00 |
101 – 300 kg | $4.00 – $6.00 | $5.50 – $10.00 |
301 – 500 kg | $3.50 – $5.50 | $5.00 – $9.00 |
500 kg+ (bulk) | $3.00 – $4.50 | Negotiable (volume-based) |
Ocean Freight Costs From China To The US
For most businesses, ocean freight is the best choice – it saves costs and can be strategically planned, despite its 25 – 40 day arrival timeline. Plus, this freight method is the best when you’re transporting large goods or huge volumes, which air freight would never be able to handle.
Key factors of seaborne shipping costs from China – US include :
· Container Size & Load – Depending on whether your shipment is a full load (FCL) or partial load (LCL), costs can fluctuate day-to-day.
· Port Handling Charges – Both origin and destination sea terminals charge a fee for loading, unloading, docking, inspection, and extended cargo storage.
· Fuel Adjustment Factor (BAF) – Like air freight, ocean liners also run on fuel and are at the mercy of daily market fuel bunker prices.
· Documentation & Customs Fees – Preparing shipping documentation, inventory lists, Customs declarations, and compliance forms will cost you a pretty penny.
How Much Does China–US Ocean Freight Cost?
When calculating ocean freight costs, carriers and forwarders consider the container type, load size, nature of the shipment, and its assigned trade lane. Our table below gives you an average overview of ocean freight fees from China to the US :
Container Type | Average Cost (USD) |
20ft full load container (FCL) | $2,000 – $3,500/ container |
40ft full load container (FCL) | $3,500 – $5,500/ container |
Partial load container (LCL) | $100 – $150/ CBM |
Rail Freight Costs From China To The USA
The rail option is a strategic way to keep the shipping cost from China to USA down, with faster delivery times. Often, a rail freight starts off in China, travelling across Europe. At the European port, your shipment continues on an ocean vessel all the way to its US port.
When we calculate rail freight rates for a US-bound shipment from China, we factor :
· Container Size & Cargo Type – Like seaborne freight shipping, rail transport also calculates your base cost based on the FCL and LCL models.
· Route & Transfer Fees – When using rail grids, you’ll be charged fees for handling, loading, unloading, and transfer from land to sea routes.
· Fuel & Equipment Surcharges – Aside from the usual fuel surcharge, there will also be a maintenance and equipment fee to make up for the handling costs for long distances.
How Much Do You Pay For China–US Rail Freight?
Unlike ocean shipping, rail freight can cost more – but not as much as airfreight would. The most common way to calculate cost would be based on container and shipment weight/volume :
Cargo Load Type | Average Cost (USD) |
20ft full load container (FCL) | $6,500 – $8,500/ container |
40ft full load container (FCL) | $8,000 – $10,000/ container |
Partial load container | $250 – $400/ CBM |
Trucking Costs In The USA
Your shipment has finally arrived in the US – now for trucking services to handle the last leg delivery to your door. Unlike the other freight services, trucking costs can depend heavily on distance and load.
To calculate shipping via trucks to your warehouse/distribution center, factor in :
· Distance & Route – Long hauls will cost you more, as would shipping to remote or restricted areas.
· Load Type – Full Truckloads (FTL) will be charged higher than a Less Than Truckload (LTL). This is similar to the FCL and LCL models.
· Fuel Surcharge – Like jet fuel, diesel prices change every day. A surcharge based on real-time diesel prices helps carriers/freighters offset the cost of market fluctuations.
· Additional Charges – Liftgate service, inside delivery, or waiting time can add to your total China – US shipment cost.
How Much Does U.S. Trucking Cost After China Shipments?
After customs clearance and handling, your average domestic trucking costs should look something like this :
Distance Range | Average Cost (USD) |
Short Haul (<200 mi) | $300 – $600 |
Medium Haul (200–500 mi) | $600 – $1,200 |
Long Haul (500+ mi) | $1,200 – $2,500 |
Additional Shipping Costs From China To USA
The base costs of your choice transport mode isn’t all – enter Customs duties, surcharges, insurance, and storage levies. Here’s a list most common accessorial freight charges you should expect to see in your final invoice :
· Customs Duties & Taxes
· Port Storage & Demurrage
· Documentation & Handling Fees
· Insurance & Goods Protection
· Surcharges – fuel, peak season, port congestion, etc.
These costs are determined at the discretion of your freight forwarder. For the latest rates, it’s best to speak to your service provider to get the most accurate picture of your total cost to ship from China to the US.
China – US Shipping Costs Made Clear With Dafey
Yes – shipping costs, especially international ones, can be a doozy. But why put yourself through all that when you can simply give us a ring? Leave the costing, handling, and fringe processes to us while you use the time to build your business.
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