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2022-02-04
Importers who manufacture products in China and sell them in the U.S. have a variety of shipping options, including air, ocean and express.
Importers who manufacture products in China for sale in the U.S. have a variety of shipping options, including air, ocean and express shipping. But there is no universal "best shipping method". You should carefully consider the following variables.
Some cargo, such as aerosol cans and strong magnets, are difficult to transport by air. Other products such as lithium-ion batteries can be shipped by air, but the required documentation is often difficult to provide by suppliers and can only be shipped by dedicated aircraft. Therefore, it is often easier to ship batteries via sea freight from China.
Some products may be too heavy or too large to be shipped by air and can only be shipped by sea or rail.
In some cases, it is better to ship products by air. For example products less than 1 cubic meter in size are usually ideal for airfreight. High value cargo is sometimes safer to ship by air and is sometimes required by China Cargo Insurance Company.
Most reputable Chinese 3PLs offer end-to-end transportation services that can deliver goods to warehouses, small commercial buildings and residential areas. However, it may sometimes be difficult to deliver containers to locations that are not available for unloading. Therefore, the final destination and how the cargo will be unloaded should be considered to determine the most ideal shipping plan.
In some cases, buyers may find it easier to ship smaller size shipments via China Air, while others may benefit from unloading services once the shipment arrives at a U.S. port.
If cargo needs to be shipped urgently, air freight is the best option.
For some container shipments by sea, shipping time can be reduced by shipping to the West Coast. Once the cargo arrives in the U.S., it can then be transported by truck or rail.
If time is not a priority, it may be the cheapest option to ship ocean freight to a popular port close to the final destination and then ship by truck.
Many importers find themselves in a situation where delays are caused by Chinese holidays.
Shipping delays are a common occurrence, especially during the Lunar New Year. All major ports in China are open year round, but not all local carriers operate during major holidays.
The following is a list of major annual holidays in China, during which delays are not uncommon.
Another delay worth considering is the Christmas/winter holiday rush.
We often witness businesses in disarray each holiday season due to buyers placing orders with suppliers too late in the season. Our best advice is to plan as far in advance as possible
Typically, shipping from China to USA takes 1-35 days, depending on the shipping method chosen and the final destination of the cargo within the United States. Express shipping is the fastest option, taking 1-5 days. Air freight takes 2-15 days and ocean freight takes 15-25+ days.
As a general rule of thumb, here are the number of days it takes to ship a shipment from China to the U.S. via various shipping methods
Note: Coronavirus may cause delays in shipping.
The best way to find out if your shipment is at risk of delays is to get a quote for your shipment, so you can start planning as early as possible. Our team will respond within 24 hours (even on weekends) and, most importantly, we offer the best prices and the best service guarantee.
The cost of shipping from China to USA is usually composed of freight and CIF costs.
Freight charges can usually be calculated depending on the mode of transport used, by looking at the weight and/or volume of the goods shipped, and the speed at which the goods are shipped.
The volumetric weight is compared with the actual weight, and the greater of the two is selected as the chargeable weight to calculate the shipping cost. Dimensional weight is calculated by volume, i.e. length (cm) x width (cm) x height (cm) / 5000.
For example, if you are shipping a huge foam with dimensions of 100 cm x 100 cm x 100 cm and weighing 20 kg.
Volume weight = 100 cm x 100 cm x 100 cm / 5000 = 200 kg. It is much bigger than the actual weight (20 kg).
Therefore, you will be charged for 200kg instead of 20kg, because the size of the package is huge and will take up a lot of space.
Also, what you should need to know is:
Shipping cost (FOB) = Cost for air shipping from Chinese airport to American airport + American customs clearance cost+ Local logistics cost in the USA
Shipping cost（EXW） = Local logistics cost in China + China export cost + Cost for air shipping from Chinese airport to American airport + American customs clearance cost + Local logistics cost in the USA
Air and ocean freight includes additional "CIF costs", such as shipping from the factory to the shipping agent, warehousing or customs clearance.
Memphis
Anchorage
Los Angeles
Long Beach
When importing into the United States, it is essential to understand the U.S. customs clearance process. U.S. customs clearance is overseen by its primary border control organization, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
Before importing into the United States, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with CBP policies and procedures. One of the basic requirements is to provide customs clearance documentation.
Filled by your freight forwarder or carrier, a bill of lading is not required for mail transportation.
According to the terms of payment agreed between the supplier and the buyer, the bill of lading can serve as a document:
1)Confirm the release of a letter of credit (L / C)
2)Serves as proof of shipping, which requires the buyer to transfer payment of the balance.
Commercial Invoice
Packing list
ISF (International Security Filing)
Other Documents
Depending on the nature of the cargo, shipments may also need to be accompanied by other documents such as permits or licenses (if they are controlled goods).
JIKEship：If you have one of these items, you should check directly with JIKEship. Some of these items are restricted or even completely prohibited and it is important to prevent such shipments to avoid any problems.
To get a correct quotation price, some detailed information from Chinese supplier is needed:
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