Shipping from China to USA: Costs, Methods & Transit Times (Updated May 2026)

Last updated: May 29, 2026 | Rates effective: June 1-14, 2026

For FBA sellers and B2B importers, choosing the wrong shipping method from China to the USA adds 15-30% to per-unit landed cost. The four methods — express courier, air freight, LCL sea freight, and FCL container shipping — each solve for a different combination of shipment size, urgency, and budget. June 2026 update: FAK rates have risen sharply following the May 12 US-China tariff truce. West Coast basic ports at $4,850/FEU, East Coast at $6,050/FEU, Gulf at $6,150/FEU effective June 1-14. PSS (Peak Season Surcharge) adds $640-800/container on top of base rates. This guide reflects current June pricing.

Shipping Methods Comparison Table

How to Choose the Right Shipping Mode

Under 50 kg: express courier. 45-500 kg urgent: air freight. 1-15 CBM budget: LCL. 15+ CBM: FCL. For multi-product shipments like FBA inventory with mixed SKUs, many sellers split — sea freight for bulk, air freight for urgent restocks. For a complete FBA logistics breakdown, see Amazon FBA shipping from China.

Freight Shipping Cost from China to USA: Port-by-Port Rates (June 2026)

Container shipping rates vary by port pair. These June 1-14, 2026 FAK rates reflect the post-tariff-truce market. PSS (Peak Season Surcharge) of $640-800/container applies on top of base rates. Door-to-door DDP adds customs clearance, duties, ISF filing, bond, and inland trucking.

FAK base rates, June 1-14, 2026. PSS adds $640/800 per container. IPI inland rates available on request. Get a DDP quote for your port pair. Full historical context: container shipping costs guide.

Understanding Import Tax and Duties

Tariff Context: US-China Trade Policy (May-June 2026)

The US-China tariff truce took effect May 12, 2026, partially suspending certain Section 301 duties on Chinese goods. The truce reduced rates on some consumer product categories but did not eliminate the tariff structure. Key points for importers:

• Section 301: 7.5-25% on most Chinese-origin goods. Apparel, furniture, and electronics are the most affected categories. Verify your HTS code against the USTR Section 301 product list.
• IEEPA surcharge: 10% executive surcharge on Chinese goods, separate from Section 301. Combined maximum rate on some categories exceeds 35%.
• June 2026 outlook: PSS (Peak Season Surcharge) of $640-800/container effective June 1-14, rising to $1,600-2,000 June 15-30 — confirming that post-truce demand is driving rate increases across all lanes.
• De minimis: Section 321 de minimis entry ($800 threshold) remains suspended for China-origin goods. Every commercial shipment requires formal entry.

How Import Taxes Affect Your Costs

Every shipment from China to the USA goes through CBP customs clearance. Four costs apply to most commercial imports: Section 301 tariffs (7.5-25%), IEEPA surcharge (10%), MPF (0.3464% of declared value, $33.58 minimum per entry), and customs bond (required for entries over $2,500).

Example: Landed Cost Calculation for a $5,000 Shipment

Example only. Actual duties vary by HTS code and current tariff policy. CBP and USTR publish current schedules. Verify with a customs broker before calculating. Full customs process: US customs clearance guide. DDP vs DDU: DDP shipping guide.

Shipping Transit Time from China to USA

For Amazon FBA sellers, the door-to-door number is what matters — it includes customs clearance, rail or truck transfer, and the FBA delivery appointment. For a comparison of air vs sea transit strategies, see our air freight from China guide.

Key Ports in China and the USA

Major Chinese Ports for Exports to the USA

Major US Ports for Imports from China

For inland destinations like Chicago, Dallas, or Atlanta, the port choice affects inland transit significantly. LA/LB to Chicago via rail is 3-5 days; NY/NJ to Chicago via truck is 2-3 days. See our Illinois warehouse guide for Chicago routing.

Sea Freight from China to USA

LCL (Less than Container Load)

LCL is the cheapest way to ship from China for 1-15 CBM. You share a container and pay by cubic meter. Cost: $90-140 per CBM DDP all-in. Downside: adds 3-7 days versus FCL for consolidation and deconsolidation. For small sellers scaling their first order, LCL is the entry point. See what is LCL shipping.

FCL (Full Container Load)

FCL gives you an entire container. At 15+ CBM, FCL becomes cheaper per unit than LCL. 20ft: 25-27 CBM, $3,500-4,800 (June 2026 FAK). 40ft: 55-58 CBM, $4,850-6,150 (June 2026 FAK). Per-unit freight at full load drops to $0.50-1.00 for most consumer goods. Container sizing: freight container sizes guide.

Air Freight and Express Courier from China to USA

Air freight: $4-8/kg, 5-10 day door-to-door. Chargeable weight = greater of actual or dimensional (cm³ ÷ 6,000). Best for 45-500 kg urgent shipments. Express courier (DHL, FedEx, UPS): $7-10/kg, 3-7 days. Best for samples and parcels under 50 kg. For Amazon FBA: air freight from China guide.

Alibaba, 1688, and Shipping from China

Most first-time importers find suppliers through Alibaba or 1688 (the domestic Chinese version). The sourcing process is: find supplier → negotiate FOB price → arrange shipping. Many Alibaba suppliers offer CIF or DDP shipping as part of the order, but the rates are usually 15-25% higher than booking freight independently through a forwarder.

When negotiating with Alibaba suppliers, always request FOB pricing. This gives you control over freight selection. Once the order is confirmed, forward the supplier's contact and shipment details to your freight forwarder, who handles factory pickup through final delivery. For the full sourcing-to-delivery process: how to import from China. For FBA-specific sourcing: Amazon FBA freight forwarder guide.

How to Choose a Freight Forwarder from China to USA

Three non-negotiable qualifications:

1. FMC License — Required by US law (46 USC § 40901). Verify at FMC.gov. Unlicensed forwarders operate illegally.
2. In-House Customs Brokerage — Forwarders who outsource clearance create a handoff point. In-house brokers respond to CBP inquiries directly. Average clearance: under 24 hours vs 2-4 days outsourced.
3. Amazon SPN Certification — Verified by Amazon's Service Provider Network. Zbao is FMC-licensed (No. 027495), Amazon SPN certified, with in-house US customs brokers and warehouses in Los Angeles, New York, Houston, and Chicago. See freight forwarder selection guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to ship from China to the USA?

Sea freight FCL: $4,850-6,150 per container (June 2026 FAK). LCL: $90-140 per CBM door-to-door DDP. Air freight: $4-8 per kg. Express courier: $7-10 per kg. The cheapest option depends on shipment size: LCL for 1-15 CBM, FCL for 15+ CBM, air for 45-500 kg, express for under 50 kg.

How long does shipping from China to the USA take?

Express courier: 3-7 days. Air freight: 5-10 days. Sea freight to West Coast: 14-18 days port-to-port, 25-30 days door-to-door. Sea freight to East Coast: 28-35 days port-to-port, 35-42 days door-to-door. Customs clearance adds 2-3 days; a CBP exam adds 5-10 days.

What documents are needed to ship goods from China to the USA?

Commercial Invoice, Packing List, Bill of Lading (sea) or Air Waybill (air), ISF (Importer Security Filing) filed 24 hours before vessel departure, and CBP Form 7501 Entry Summary. For FBA shipments, FBA shipment labels and pallet manifests are also required. A freight forwarder handles all documentation.

How do I choose a freight forwarder from China to the USA?

Three minimum qualifications: (1) FMC license — required by US law for ocean freight, verify at FMC.gov. (2) In-house customs brokerage — forwarders who outsource clearance lose information at the handoff. (3) Amazon SPN certification — if you sell on FBA, your forwarder should be recognized by Amazon's Service Provider Network.