China to USA: An Overview of the Seven Major Freight Modes and Their Costs
The transportation aspect plays a crucial role in importing goods from China to the United States. Numerous importers purchase through wholesale platforms such as Alibaba, Global Sources and Made-in-China.com.
Often, suppliers will assist in arranging the transportation of goods. For those merchants with extensive import experience, they often have their own trusted freight forwarder to handle the transportation. However, for the uninitiated, the shipping aspect can seem quite complicated, especially when it comes to evaluating different shipping methods and their costs.
The purpose of this article is to provide you with the seven main shipping methods from China to the United States and the corresponding estimated costs. By reading this article, you will be able to easily get a handle on your transportation arrangements, whether you choose to use a freight forwarder recommended by your supplier or make your own arrangements. This will be your right hand in transportation planning.
Important Note: Freight Data Updates
The freight rate data listed in this article is based on pre-outbreak market conditions. However, since the COVID-19 outbreak, freight costs have been dramatically impacted, with price fluctuations becoming unusually frequent and costs generally rising. The freight rates you are quoted may change in a short period of time. For example, the cost of containerized shipping has spiked to seven to eight times what it was before the outbreak. Therefore, in order to obtain the most accurate freight estimates, we recommend that you contact us directly for the most up-to-date real-time freight information.
Such real-time updates are critical to responding to today’s ever-changing transportation market, ensuring that you are able to make decisions based on the most up-to-date data.
Courier Services: China to USA
When considering courier services from China to the United States, you may find a lot of information on Google about well-known courier companies such as FedEx, UPS and DHL. To avoid repetition, I will skip the introduction of these companies and go directly to the questions you may be more concerned about:
1. When is it more economical to choose a courier service?
2. Which goods are suitable for express transportation?
The efficiency of courier services
Courier services offer a much easier and faster way to ship from China to the United States than traditional ocean or air freight. You don’t have to get involved in the complicated customs clearance process, and shipping rates are usually the same whether the shipment is going to the eastern or western United States. All you have to do is choose a courier with a reasonable quote and wait for your shipment to arrive.
Goods for Express Shipping
The vast majority of product samples and higher-value small-volume items - about 95% - are shipped via courier services. If you’re an online merchant, such as an Amazon seller, who urgently needs to replenish your stock, then courier shipping is definitely the way to go.
Choosing a courier company
Out of the three options - FedEx, UPS and DHL - I tend to recommend FedEx and UPS.This is because DHL is usually not as fast as FedEx and UPS in terms of customs clearance and, in some cases, DHL’s shipping costs are relatively high.
Volatility of Express Fees
Whether it’s FedEx, UPS or DHL, the official prices given often include a premium because these couriers give their agents different discounts based on their annual shipments, which usually range from 20% to 50%. If your Chinese supplier is not a frequent user of FedEx services, they may consider looking for courier agents with discounts for lower shipping rates.
Express shipping costs are also affected by factors such as seasons and remaining space in airplane cabins. For example, in the month before peak seasons such as Christmas and Thanksgiving, prices may rise quickly; while during the off-season, prices may drop more dramatically.
As a result, freight rates can be very volatile and even change from week to week. It is recommended that you ask your supplier or freight forwarder to provide you with the most up-to-date real-time quotes and choose the most competitive price from them.
Differences between FedEx Priority International Express (IP) and International Economy Express (IE)
FedEx offers two different international express services: International Priority Express (IP) and International Economy Express (IE). These two services differ in transit time and cost.
Shipping Time:
IP (International Priority Express): Typically, the IP service has a transit time of 2-3 business days. This is a relatively fast service for those with time sensitive shipments.
IE (International Economy Express): In contrast, the IE service has a longer transit time, usually taking 4-6 business days. This service is suitable for those shipments that are relatively relaxed about transit time requirements.
Cost:
IP: The IP service is relatively costly as it offers faster transportation.
IE: The IE service offers transportation at a more economical price and is suitable for cost-sensitive shipments.
Service Characteristics:
IP: IP services offer priority processing, including priority in the customs clearance process, and real-time parcel tracking capabilities.
IE: Despite longer transit times, the IE service offers the same extensive worldwide coverage at a lower cost for shipments that do not need to be delivered urgently.
| Your destination | Your transit time | Your FedEx service |
| URGENT | ||
| Europe | 2 days | FedEx International Priority@ |
| USA | 2 days, morning delivery | FedEx International First@ |
| 2 days | FedEx International Priority@ | |
| Canada | 2 days, morning delivery | FedEx International First@ |
| 2 days | FedEx International Priority@ | |
| Latin America | 2 days, morning delivery | FedEx International First@ |
| 2 - 4 days | FedEx International Priority@ | |
| Asia | 2 days | FedEx International Priority@ |
| Middle East | 2 days, morning delivery | FedEx International First@ |
| 2 -3 days | FedEx International Priority@ | |
| Africa - Oceania | 2 - 4 days | FedEx International Priority@ |
| LESS URGENT | ||
| Europe | 4 days | FedEx International Economy |
| USA | 4 days | FedEx International Economy |
| Canada | 4 days | FedEx International Economy |
| _atin America | 4 - 6 days | FedEx International Economy |
| Asia | 4 days | FedEx International Economy |
| Middle East | 4-5 days | FedEx International Economy |
| Africa - Oceania | 4-5 days | FedEx International Economy |
Let’s take a look at the estimated shipping costs for small parcels under 20 kilograms and shipments over 21 kilograms.
Fedex IP （less 21KG)
| 0.5-5.5KG | Cost $ | 6-11KG | Cost $ | 11.5-16.5KG | Cost $ | 17-20.5KG | Cost $ |
| 0.5 | 25 | 6 | 97 | 11.5 | 169 | 17 | 241 |
| 1 | 31 | 6.5 | 103 | 12 | 175 | 17.5 | 248 |
| 1.5 | 38 | 7 | 110 | 12.5 | 182 | 18 | 254 |
| 2 | 44 | 7.5 | 116 | 13 | 189 | 18.5 | 261 |
| 2.5 | 51 | 8 | 123 | 13.5 | 195 | 19 | 267 |
| 3 | 57 | 8.5 | 130 | 14 | 202 | 20 | 274 |
| 3.5 | 64 | 9 | 136 | 14.5 | 208 | 20.5 | 280 |
| 4 | 70 | 9.5 | 143 | 15 | 215 | _ | _ |
| 4.5 | 77 | 10 | 149 | 15.5 | 221 | _ | _ |
| 5 | 84 | 10.5 | 156 | 16 | 228 | _ | _ |
| 5.5 | 90 | 11 | 162 | 16.5 | 234 | _ | _ |
1kg≈2.2lb
Fedex IE (less 21KG)
| 0.5-5.5KG | Cost $ | 6-11KG | Cost $ | 11.5-16.5KG | Cost $ | 17-20.5KG | Cost $ |
| 0.5 | 24 | 6 | 72 | 11.5 | 112 | 17 | 161 |
| 1 | 29 | 6.5 | 77 | 12 | 127 | 17.5 | 167 |
| 1.5 | 36 | 7 | 82 | 12.5 | 131 | 18 | 171 |
| 2 | 43 | 7.5 | 87 | 13 | 136 | 18.5 | 175 |
| 2.5 | 50 | 8 | 92 | 13.5 | 139 | 19 | 180 |
| 3 | 53 | 8.5 | 97 | 14 | 144 | 20 | 186 |
| 3.5 | 56 | 9 | 102 | 14.5 | 148 | 20.5 | 190 |
| 4 | 61 | 9.5 | 107 | 15 | 152 | _ | _ |
| 4.5 | 66 | 10 | 112 | 15.5 | 152 | _ | _ |
| 5 | 70 | 10.5 | 115 | 16 | 155 | _ | _ |
| 5.5 | 71 | 11 | 119 | 16.5 | 158 | _ | _ |
Cargo (>21KG)
| Caego Weight | Fedex IP | Fedex IE |
| 21KG-70KG | $7-$7.5 | $6.5-$6.7 |
| >70KG | $6.3-$7 | $6-$6.5 |
Based on the cost of the service, it’s clear to see that FedEx International Priority Express (IP) costs more than International Economy Express (IE). For product samples that need to be delivered quickly, FedEx IP is the way to go. However, for those heavy shipments weighing more than 21 kilograms, it makes more economic sense to choose FedEx IE.
For shipments containing sensitive items such as lithium batteries, powders or liquids, the official FedEx channel does not allow them to be sent. If customers do need to send these types of items, they must go through a third-party courier agency service that first transships the goods to Hong Kong, and then sends them from Hong Kong to the United States via FedEx or DHL. The shipping cost for this particular item is relatively high, usually over US$10/kg.
When calculating courier costs, it is crucial to understand the difference between volumetric weight and actual weight. Courier companies will calculate the shipping cost based on the greater of the volumetric weight of the package (L x W x H / 5000) and the actual weight. For example, if you need to ship a large foam measuring 100cm x 100cm x 100cm with an actual weight of 20kg, the volumetric weight is calculated as follows:
Volumetric weight = 100cm x 100cm x 100cm/5000 = 200kg
This volumetric weight is much larger than the actual weight. Therefore, the courier company will calculate the cost according to 200kg instead of 20kg, because the parcel, although light in weight, is large in volume and occupies more space for transportation.
Regarding the issue of tariffs, FedEx offers a preferential policy: if the value of goods does not exceed $800, you can enjoy tax-free treatment. However, if the value of the goods exceeds the $800 threshold, the courier company will advance the tariff on behalf of you, and you need to pay this fee to the courier when you receive the goods.
In addition, if you plan to have your supplier ship the goods for you via FedEx, it is recommended that you pay the shipping fee to the supplier in advance. Even if you have a FedEx account in the U.S., you should avoid waiting until the shipment is signe.
Logistics Options for Air Freight from China to the United States****
Both airfreight and express shipping rely on airplanes to transport goods, but they differ in their operational processes and applicable scenarios. Here are the main differences between airfreight and express shipping, and the right time to choose them.
The main differences between air transportation and express delivery
l Express: the process is simple and direct, suitable for rapid transportation of small quantities of goods.
l Air transportation: the process is more complex, similar to traditional sea transportation, including the following three main steps:
(1) China local logistics and export process.
(2) Air transportation from Chinese airports to U.S. airports.
(3) U.S. local logistics and import proces
All Inclusive Air Freight Costs
When considering airfreight, it is important to ask for the all-inclusive price, which is the total cost from the airport in China to your doorstep.
This includes all transportation, customs clearance and domestic delivery. Be sure to make this clear as some quotes may only include the cost from the Chinese airport to the destination airport and not include customs clearance and domestic ground transportation costs.
Air Freight Cost Reference
For shipments over 500kg, the price of all-inclusive air freight is about USD5.5/kg, while the price of express freight is USD6.5/kg. These prices are for reference only and do not include the cost from China factory to China airport.
The total transit time for air freight includes booking time, flight time and local delivery time in the U.S., which usually takes 4 to 7 days.
Air Freight Cost Analysis
For those of you who are new to international airfreight, you may only need to grasp the basic concepts of shipping costs and work with a Chinese supplier or a professional freight forwarder. However, if you intend to manage the entire shipping process yourself, it is important to have an in-depth understanding of what constitutes the cost of airfreight.
Determination of Billable Weight
Airfreight also calculates costs based on the actual or volumetric weight of the shipment, similar to express services. However, airfreight uses a slightly different formula for calculating volumetric weight: Volumetric weight (kg) = (L(cm) x W(cm) x H(cm)) / 6000 This formula differs from the divisor of 5,000 or 6,000 used by courier services, and as a result, volumetric weight calculations may differ between airfreight and courier services, even for the same volume of goods.
Breakdown of Air Freight Costs
If you choose to handle your own airfreight, it is essential to understand the costs of the various components, as the total cost is not a single all-inclusive price.
Under FOB (Free On Board) terms
When you buy goods wholesale from a platform such as Alibaba, the supplier usually offers an FOB price, which means they are responsible for transporting the goods from the factory to the airport in China and covering the export costs. You, on the other hand, are responsible for the following costs:
1. Airfreight costs from the China airport to the U.S. airport.
2. The cost of transportation from the US airport to your designated location, including customs clearance and local logistics.
Therefore, according to the FOB terms, your total shipping cost will include: Airfreight cost from China airport to US airport, plus US customs clearance cost, plus US local logistics cost.
Customs Clearance and Local Logistics Costs
For specific costs for U.S. customs clearance and local logistics, we recommend that you consult with your local freight forwarder. The type of cargo, destination airport, and other factors can significantly impact these costs. Knowing these details will help you budget and plan your air transportation costs more accurately.
Transportation Costs Under EXW Terms Explained
When you negotiate EXW (Ex Works) terms with your supplier, it is important to understand that this means that the supplier does not assume any responsibility for transportation and export from the factory. In this case, you will be solely responsible for the entire transportation process and its associated costs, which include:
1. Logistics costs from China factory to China airport
2. Airfreight costs from Chinese airports to U.S. airports
3. Costs from U.S. airport to your doorstep
Calculated according to the EXW terms, the total transportation cost can be expressed as follows:
Total shipping cost = China local logistics cost + China export cost + China airport to US airport airfreight cost + US customs clearance cost + US local logistics cost
As you can see, the shipping cost under EXW terms consists of multiple components, and the airfreight price is often not fixed, requiring you to personally inquire and obtain the exact cost. This makes the whole estimation process quite complicated.
As a leading sourcing agent in China, we offer professional services to help you handle the whole process from sourcing to shipping. By choosing our services, you will be able to streamline the transportation process and reduce complexity, while ensuring that your goods reach their destination safely and efficiently.
Guide to Ocean Freight from China to the United States****
When the volume of your shipment exceeds 2 cubic meters (CBM), ocean freight becomes a cost-effective and efficient shipping option. Although the ocean freight process is relatively complex, the following information will help you simplify the process.
The two main modes of ocean freight: LCL and FCL
Ocean freight is primarily shipped in containers, and there are two main modes: Less-than-Container Load (LCL) and Full Container Load (FCL).
Less-than-Container Load (LCL):
l If your cargo is small and the volume is less than 15 cubic meters, you can choose LCL service. In this way, your shipment will share a container with other importer’s shipments, as your shipment is not enough to fill the whole container.
l Freight rates for LCL are usually calculated on a cubic meter (CBM) basis. For example, if the volume of your product is 12 CBM, then the formula for calculating the freight rate would be: price per CBM multiplied by 12 CBM.
Full Container Load (FCL):
l If you have enough goods to fill one or several containers, you can opt for FCL service. In this case, the freight rate is calculated based on the number of full containers.
l For example, if your cargo can fill 2 containers, then the freight rate is calculated by multiplying the price of a full container by 2. Usually, the freight rate of FCL will be more economical than LCL.
Overview of all-inclusive ocean freight costs to the United States
As with airfreight services, I will provide you with an all-inclusive ocean freight quote so that you can easily compare the costs of different modes of transportation and estimate approximate shipping costs. Please note that this quote includes costs up to the point of delivery to your doorstep, but does not include local logistics costs in China where the shipment originates.
For bulk shipments, i.e. LCL shipments, I am able to provide you with transportation costs to the Western, Central and Eastern United States. However, for full container shipments, I can only provide you with costs to the port of Los Angeles, as costs vary significantly from port to port and there are over 100 ports in the United States. The table below will give you an overview of containerized shipping costs based on cubic meters (CBM) of cargo.
| USA | 3-5CBM | 5-10CBM | 10 CBM+ | **20”GP ** | 40”HQ |
| US West ($) | 310 | 240 | 180 | 3700 | 4200 |
| Cen.am ($) | 340 | 290 | 240 | _ | _ |
| US East ($) | 370 | 320 | 260 | _ | _ |
If you want to estimate the shipping cost of red wine glasses purchased from China to Los Angeles in the Western United States and calculate the product profit accordingly, we can base our calculation on the following example.
Suppose you plan to purchase 400 red wine glasses from China to Los Angeles in the western United States, the following are the detailed steps for estimating the freight cost:
1. Calculate the total volume of the shipment:
Each wine glass with packaging measures 19cm x 23cm x 19cm.
The formula for calculating the total volume of 400 red wine glasses is: 400 x (19cm x 23cm x 19cm)/1,000,000 = 3.3 cubic meters
2. Determine the freight cost per cubic meter:
Based on the information provided, the freight cost for the western United States is $310 per cubic meter.
3. Calculate the total freight cost:
The formula for calculating the total freight cost is: $310 per cubic meter x 3.3 cubic meters = $1,023
4. Calculate the average freight cost per red wine glass:
The formula for calculating the average shipping cost per wine glass is: $1023/400=$2.56
Overview of Ocean Freight Costs: FOB & EXW Terms
FOB terms:
l Includes product cost and local China charges, supplier is responsible for shipping to China port.
l You pay: China to US ocean freight + US customs clearance + US local logistics.
EXW terms:
l Includes product cost only, supplier is not responsible for transportation.
l You pay: China local logistics + China export fees + China to US ocean freight + US customs clearance + US local logistics.
Cost Breakdown:
l China Costs:
1. Bulk (less than container): about $10-30/m3 depending on distance and volume.
2. Export costs: booking, handling, customs clearance, approx. 100-300 USD.
3. Example of 5 cubic meter bulk: (10-30) x 5 + (100-200) ≈ $150-350 USD.
l Sea freight cost:
1. From China to USA, the price is set by the shipping company and may be discounted or full price depending on the season.
2. Please note that there are more than 100 ports in the U.S., prices vary, actual costs need to be checked in real time.
| Ningbo – New York | Ningbo – Los Angeles | |
| Bulk Cargo（LCL） | $75/CBM | $70/CBM |
| FCL (20”GP) | $2100/Container | $1500/Container |
| FCL (40”HQ) | $2600/Container | $1600/Container |
l U.S. local fees:
Includes customs clearance, tariffs and local logistics, we recommend consulting with your local US agent.
Smart Economy Transportation Solutions: SFUC vs.****
Popularity of Ocean and Air UPS Intermodal Transportation
Sea UPS Intermodal and Air UPS Intermodal are not common modes of transportation in international trade and they are not widely adopted. At the same time, the abbreviations SFUC and AFUC are terms we created for our own convenience.
Currently, only some Chinese freight forwarders provide these two services, not all ocean carriers. In addition, these services are usually only available to customers who ship to Amazon warehouses in the United States.
SFUC - Sea Freight UPS Intermodal
l **Transit Time: **Usually 30-45 days, but SFUC service can shorten it to at least 10 days savings.
l Procedure: After the cargo arrives at the nearest port by sea, UPS takes over the responsibility for fast delivery within the United States.
l **Advantage: **SFUC is one of the main shipping methods for FBA from China to Amazon, favored for its fast and efficient customs clearance.
l Costs: For some high tariff items, there may be additional costs, about $0.3-0.4 per kilogram.
| USA | 100KG+ | 300KG+ | 500KG+ | 1000KG+ |
| US West ($) | $1.5 | |||
| Cen.am ($) | $1.6 | |||
| US East ($) | $1.8 |
Note: SFUC’s freight charges are per kilogram, not per cubic meter or container like traditional ocean freight, because after arriving at the U.S. port, it is not delivered by truck like traditional ocean freight, it is UPS who is responsible for the delivery, and express delivery is charged by kilogram.
AFUC - UPS United Air Cargo
l **Transportation time: **slower than express, faster than ocean freight, takes about 11-15 working days.
l **Process: **the goods are first air freighted to the United States, and then UPS to complete the internal delivery.
l Advantage: cheaper than express, faster than ocean freight, suitable for urgent replenishment to Amazon FBA or other e-commerce platforms.
l **Cost: **Please refer to the table below or contact us for a real-time quote.
| US West ($) | Cen.am ($) | US East ($) | |
| 21 KG+ | 5 | 5.2 | 5.3 |
| 51 KG+ | 4.8 | 4.9 | 5 |
| 71 KG+ | 4.3 | 4.5 | 4.9 |
| 301 KG+ | 3.9 | 4 | 4.4 |
| 501 KG+ | 3.9 | 4 | 4.3 |
| 1001KG+ | 3.8 | 3.9 | 4.3 |
ePacket and Postal Parcel Costs and Applicable Items****
ePacket and China Postal Parcel are often viewed as affordable shipping options for sending from China to the United States. Nonetheless, there are not many online descriptions of the exact costs and usage details of these methods.
In fact, these two shipping methods are mainly suitable for those in the dropshipping business, as they are inexpensive but have longer transit times and are only suitable for smaller packages.
Cost of ePacket from China to USA
Taking sending a small parcel of about 2 kilograms as an example, the cost is about $45 if you use FedEx IP service. To save cost, ePacket is a more economical choice as an economical international courier service from China Postal Express & Logistics.
If you have experience shopping on eBay or Aliexpress, you may have noticed many Chinese sellers delivering Chinese products at great prices directly to your doorstep via ePacket service. Next, we’ll explore further details on ePacket shipping rates from China to the United States.
| From China to USA | |
| Fixed Fee /package | $2.17 |
| Charge/weight (g) | $0.009 |
| Starting Weight | 50g |
| Weight Limit | 2000g |
** **
ePacket and Postal Parcel Costs and Notes
For light and small items, ePacket and China Postal Parcel are economical shipping options.
Below is an example of cost calculation:
l Lipstick (120g): the cost is $2.17 (Fixed Fee /package) + $0.009 x 120g = $3.25.
l Marker (35g): cost is $2.17 (Fixed Fee /package) + $0.009 x 50g = $2.62. Note that less than 50 grams is billed as 50 grams.
Size Requirements:
l Maximum size: sum < 90 cm, longest side ≤ 60 cm. Round rolled shape: diameter x 2 + length ≤ 104 cm, length ≤ 90 cm.
l Minimum size: length ≥ 14 cm, width ≥ 11 cm. Cylindrical: Diameter x 2 + Length ≥ 17 cm, Length ≥ 11 cm.
**Shipping Time: **Usually delivered within 8-14 days, but may be delayed up to 1-2 months.
Customs clearance speed: ePacket usually leaves the harbor in 1-2 days due to bulk customs clearance. It may be delayed during peak season, resulting in 1-2 months delay.
**Barcode Damage: **It may cause the parcel to be stranded and untraceable.
Risk of Loss: Parcel may be lost due to unknown location during transportation.
**Official Statement: **ePackage average shipping time is 7-10 business days, no compensation for overtime.
Prohibited Items: Including powder, liquid, flammable and explosive goods and other dangerous goods, tobacco, alcohol, cash securities, infringing products and so on.
Despite some shortcomings of ePacket, it is still favored for its low cost. Many people seeking to save on transportation costs are willing to accept these potential risks, especially those working in the direct marketing field. They prefer ePacket to maximize cost-effectiveness.
China Post: low-cost shipping for small parcels
Despite China Post’s unstable shipping time and lack of compensation for lost packages without insurance, some people still choose this economical shipping method, especially e-commerce sellers.
Example of applicable scenario:
If you are in the US and want to buy 100 carbon pens from AliExpress or Dhgate, total weight is about 2kg, you are not in a hurry to receive the goods and you think the express delivery cost is too high, China Post is a suitable choice. Even if the parcel is lost after 1-2 months, the loss will be smaller as the value of the goods is not high.
Overview of China Post shipping time:
l Sea shipping: about 1-2 months.
l Air+Sea shipping: about 1 month.
l Air Freight: about 15 days.
l Note: The above time does not include the customs processing time, and China Post does not guarantee the specific delivery time.
Price Inquiry:
You can check the price through the official website of China Post by using Google Translate. Input specific information to get a quote. The maximum consignment weight of postal small parcel is 30kg.
If you have a small parcel of little value, the cheapest way to ship from China to USA is ePacket and China Post Parcel. You need to accept the risk of lost shipments and longer waiting times.
Summarizing****
We hope this article has provided you with a wealth of information and inspiration on how to choose the most appropriate shipping method for your goods to reduce shipping costs.
If you need more help please contact us. For example, if you need real-time shipping information, or help sourcing and shipping merchandise.
We are ready to support you and ensure that your shipping process is both economical and efficient.
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