The shipping container you pick for your business is essential. You want to ensure that it’s the ideal size and will protect your items during sea freight from China to the USA. By understanding the ideal way to stack items and seal containers, you can guarantee your cargo ship from China safely arrives at its destination.
This post will discuss the shipping containers from China to USA cost and other things you need to know about shipping containers from China to the US. If you’re ready, let’s get started!
How to Ship a Container from China to the US?
There are two types of ocean shipping from China to the US, less than container load (LCL) and full container load (FCL).
For those planning to import a small number of items that might need a full container’s worth of stock, it might be worth considering an LCL shipment, where a freight forwarder or shipping agent combines your supplier’s goods with others to make a full shipment.
The unit cost per kilogram is more than that of a full container load, but the total freight costs will be less. The packaging utilized inside the container loads to transport in and out of the container, composed of pallets—often plastic or wooden—to support the load. They are often shrink-wrapped, slip sheets made of plastics or crates.
The freight forwarder will normally identify the optimal route from point A to point B. That could be the most cost-effective and fastest option. In any case, a container ship’s next leg of the voyage involves loading into a ship, which will transport it to the target country.
The ship travels from the first port to the second while carrying the cargo. The shipping company captain will send details on the ship and its container load to the destination country’s authorities along the trip.
The container will arrive at a berth close to cranes that will unload the cargo containers as soon as it gets permission to enter the port.
Customs agents may pick a few containers for further investigation after checking the documentation for every container. It will then be put into a truck trailer, so it will be delivered to its distribution center.
How much to ship container from china?
The cost to ship a container from China to US, is round $1,500 for a 20-feet container to the West Coast of America and $2,000 for a 20-feet container to the East coast. It will cost you $3,000 to ship a 40-HC container to the West Coast and $45,00 to the East Coast.
Why is shipping from China so expensive?
Several factors contribute to the high cost to ship a container from China. One of the major contributors is the sheer volume of goods being shipped out of China daily. This massive amount of traffic requires a lot of resources and infrastructure, which can drive up shipping container costs China to USA.
Additionally, ocean freight can be expensive due to the long distances in international shipping routes. Many companies will ship air freight instead, which also comes at a higher cost. And even within these modes of transport, additional fees or surcharges may increase the price of shipping from China even further.
So, why is shipping from China so expensive? Several factors are at play, including the high demand for Chinese exports and the logistical challenges associated with moving large quantities worldwide daily. However, despite these cost pressures, many businesses continue to source their products from China because it remains one of the most competitive manufacturing hubs in the world.
Container shipping rates from China to the USA
Below, please check the reference cost of shipping container from china to us, including the cost to ship 20-foot container from china to US at different ports. The price is for reference only based on the average costs in 2021. Since the quotation changed frequency recently, it will be better for you to inquire again before each container shipping from different ports in China.
| Loading Port | Container Size | Shipping Coast |
| From China to Los Angeles | 20 – feet container | $2,000 |
| From China to Oakland | 40 – feet container | $3,500 |
| From China to Miami | 20 – feet container | $2,000 |
| From China to New York | 40 – feet container | $3,500 |
| From China to Savannah | 20 – feet container | $2,500 |
| From China to Baltimore | 40 – feet container | $4,500 |
| From China to Houston, Texas | 20 – feet container | $2,500 |
| From China to Long Beach | 40 – feet container | $3,500 |
| From China to Norfolk, VA | 20 – feet container | $2,500 |
| From China to Portland | 40 – feet container | $3,500 |
| From China to Newark, NJ | 20 – feet container | $2,000 |
| From China to Boston | 40 – feet container | $4,500 |
| From China to Providence | 40 – feet container | $4,500 |
| From China to Seattle | 40 – feet container | $3,000 |
| From China to Chicago | 40 – feet container | $4,800 |
Container shipping costs calculator:
Would you like to know your container shipping cost from China to the US? You can utilize our free shipping calculator to estimate your international shipping rates. Contact our team to get personalized ocean freight rates for all your shipping needs. One of our experienced services will get back to you with at least 3 shipping options within half an hour after getting your detailed requirements for your international shipment.
Container shipping services from China to the USA
Lucky for you because we have weekly container shipping service from China to the US with cargo volume departure from the following major ports in China:
· Shanghai Port
· Qingdao Port
· Yangshan Port
· Shenzhen Port
· Guangzhou Port
· Xiamen Port
· Jinzhou Port
· Dalian Port
· Yingkou Port
· Quanzhou Port
· Tianjin Port
· Yantai Port
· Ningbo-Zhoushan Port
· Hong Kong Port
· Jinzhou Port
· Kai Ho Macau Port
· Fuzhou Port
· Weihai Port
Shipping Routes from China to the USA
There are many shipping options from China to the USA. For International shipments from China to the US. You can choose the methods below to determine the most suitable and meet your transit time and shipping cost requirements.
· Ocean freight from China to the USA has been called the cheapest option from China to the USA. Ocean freight rates from china to the USA can check our reference quotation above or send an inquiry directly to get the newest price.
· Ocean freight FCL from China to the USA, also called full container shipping.
· Ocean freight LCL shipping from China to the USA.
· Air freight from China to the USA. Air freight is a fast-shipping method for shipping cargo from China to the USA. the freight rates are not the cheapest, but they are cheaper than Express freight. For urgently ship cargo, Air freight is a good option.
· Express freight from China to the USA. Express freight is the fastest shipping route from China to the USA, and it is to door service. How every the freight rates is not so cheap as other options.
· Multiple-combined shipping routes from China to the USA. This is a good option for shipping from China to Amazon FBA in the USA and other common addresses within the US.
· Door to door Shipping freight from China to the USA.
How to Track Sea Shipments from China to the US?
You need two things to track your container shipping:
First: a tracking number, which could be your container number, booking number, or bill of lading number; this number you can get from your shipping agent.
Second: Access to a smart container tracking system.
Different websites offer China sea freight tracking services using the automatic identification system to present the real-time location of the container shipping.
With the help of transponders equipped by the shipping company, the satellites will gather AIS signals from the cargo ship to give their position, speed, route, and ship type through different online platforms.
How to Order Containers from China?
Ordering a shipping container from China is super easy. Just follow the steps listed below.
1. Confirm what goods to order with your China Suppliers.
2. Inquiry from different shipping agents or freight forwarders from China.
3. Choose a suitable freight forwarder as your shipping agent.
4. Provide the proforma invoice and supplier’s address to your shipping partner. Let them provide logistics solutions for your choice. As a long-term cooperate partner, they usually share cost-effective shipping offers with their clients.
5. Place a shipping order with your shipping agent. Then they will handle the shipping process for you. Including pickup from the supplier, ISF filling, Buy Customs bonds, providing cargo insurance, customs clearance, Paying customs duty, and delivery to door. No matter whether you order a full container or LCL shipment.
What is the Transit Time for Container Shipping to the USA from China?
How long does it take to ship from China to the USA for containers? The average transit time to ship a full container load from China to the United States is from two to six weeks.
If you need to ship from a China supplier factory to your door address in the USA., the transit time for ocean freight door-to-door is around 4-8weeks.
What is the shortest container transit time from China to the USA?
The shortest transit time to ship LCL shipments through shipping companies is using the CMA CGM container service. It has an average of 20 days in transit—considered the fastest way to ship a container.
The next shortest route is with OOCL from Qingdao as the loading port, with an average of 28 days to reach the West Coast.
What is the longest container transit time from China to the USA?
On the other hand, the shortest route to ship a container load from China is from Hong Kong to New York. It has an estimated transit time of 35 to 37 days of transit port to port.
The next longest route to ship your medical equipment load to the USA from China is from Guangzhou to Houston, TX, with an average transit time of 38-45 days.
Licensed And Trusted Reliable Shipping Companies from China To the USA
This guide lists some of the most dependable and trusted shipping companies from China to the United States.
· Maersk Line
Maersk Line is a trusted shipping company that has connected Chinese businesses to the globe for nearly a century. They are present at 36 different ports and deliver a top-notch shipping process to all their clients. They also offer a great door-to-door service.
· Mediterranean Shipping Company
The MSC is privately owned and global, offering logistics solutions to all its clients. They specialize in container shipping services from China to Canada, the United States, and North America.
They have a fleet of over 730 container-load shipping vessels with a capacity of about 2-3 million TEU.
· China Cosco Shipping Line
Cosco is a government-backed shipping company and a logistics supplier company in China. They currently own over 360 dry bulk vessels and 10,000 ships for container transport.
Their vessels stop at over 1,000 container ports globally, directly serving North America, including the United States.
How Do I Choose a Port of Departure?
Choosing the ideal departure port is one of the most critical aspects of your ocean freight. Here are some tips you need to consider for picking a port that fits your particular ocean freight needs.
1. Consider the proximity
You can cut transportation costs for your international trade by using a port near your trading partners. Ensure that translated, distribution, and warehouse facilities are nearby to accommodate your container load and other cargo loads.
2. Assess workforce availability
The port must have access to an experienced workforce with a reputation for dependability. Do not simply look for price—good service and reliability are equally important.
3. Know the restrictions of the port
Weight limits of the container load vary by region and city. Also, overhead obstructions and dimensional restrictions can obstruct port access. In contrast, routes in and out of ports might need trucks to encounter numerous traffic lights or drive through residential or commercial areas.
Documents Required for Ocean Freight Shipping from China To the USA
Another substantial challenge your company should overcome is the management of your ocean freight shipping documents. Here are some of the documents you may need:
· Freight shipping forms
· Bill of lading
· Commercial invoice
· Certificate of origin
· Inspection certificate
· Destination control statement
· Shipper’s export declaration
· Export packing list
· Insurance certificate
It’s essential that you have all the proper documentation when you are sending import goods from China to the US. Set up all the proper document management practices to ensure your exports arrive on time.
Where To Find a Reliable Freight Forwarder for Container Shipping from China?
The simplest way to find reliable freight forwarders or ocean freight shipping companies is to search for them on Google. You only need to enter “reliable freight forwarders for container shipping” in your region or country to receive a list of ocean freight companies.
You can also ask your friends or colleagues with comprehensive sea freight or air freight experience to introduce you to a dependable logistics solution provider.
If you plan to use your own container shipping company, just ask the supplier to quote FOB prices.
To save you time. Just Contacting DFH is the first option. We have shipped full container and LCL shipments from China to the USA since 2009 for different products, including dangerous goods.
FAQs about Ocean freight from China to the USA
Have more questions on ocean freight from China to the USA? We hope this section will answer some of your concerns:
Who pays for the customs clearance costs for ocean freight from China to the USA?
The customs clearance fee is paid to the customs agent to cover the cost of submitting the necessary documentation and the whole process of duty payment. That could be charged as one price for a bundle of services, flat per service, or as a percentage of the shipment value.
Who pays for the customs duties for ocean freight from China to the USA?
The buyer is the importer of record and will pay the import customs duty and tax upon arrival in the destination country.
Can I check the safety of a product by labeling it?
Yes. The amount and kind of information that a label should have depend on its location. Safety product labels provide community warnings and provide direction to consumers and operators. They comply with safety regulations, warn users about possible hazards and support safer product use.
