Import & Shipping Cost from China to United States

Main departure hubs in China

Most China to United States cargo leaves from Shanghai, Shenzhen, Ningbo, Guangzhou. The hub you book from drives transit time, sailing or flight frequency, and often the freight rate itself — two ports in the same country can differ by hundreds of dollars on a container.

Sea freight loads at the container port, air freight at the international airport. Ask your forwarder which hub the quote is based on before comparing rates.

Air vs Sea from China: Which Shipping Method Wins on Cost?

Choose the shipping method by cost-per-day, not by cheapest headline rate. Sea freight wins for anything over 1 CBM or under $15/kg value density; air wins when stock-out costs exceed the freight premium. Shanghai→Los Angeles 14-18 days by sea (Pacific route). 3-5 days by air freight via LAX or SFO. Whatever you pick, the calculator above lets you switch methods and see the landed-cost impact instantly.

US Ports of Entry for China Cargo: What to Expect

Where your shipment lands matters as much as how it ships. Choosing a port close to your distribution center can cut inland freight by 30-50% versus a far gateway. Shanghai, Shenzhen, Ningbo, Guangzhou, Qingdao → Los Angeles, Long Beach, New York/New Jersey, Savannah, Seattle is the standard routing for this lane, and the calculator's fee structure reflects the costs at these gateways.

Your Real Cost from China to the US: A Full Breakdown

To plan your margin on China imports, add roughly 12-18% on top of the FOB price for a typical sea-freight shipment: freight, insurance, duty at 2-15% depending on HS code (Section 301 tariffs may add 7.5-25% on Chinese goods), broker fees, and clearance charges. Run your own numbers in the calculator — the breakdown shows exactly where each dollar goes.

How Much Duty Will You Pay on China Imports to the US?

When US–China trade with Section 301 tariffs on select goods applies, your effective duty can drop sharply — but only if the paperwork proves origin correctly. Keep supplier certificates and production records on file; US Customs can request them months after entry. For electronics, machinery, toys, textiles, furniture, and auto parts, verify whether the rate that applies is the general, special, or Section 301 column before quoting your margin.

Sourcing from China: What the Numbers Really Say

The case for sourcing from China looks different once you include everything after the factory gate. A $10 unit price can become $12.80 by the time it clears US customs and reaches your warehouse. That is why this route page exists: to show the real, itemized numbers instead of the quoted FOB price.

Mistakes to Avoid When Importing from China

The difference between a smooth and a painful US clearance often comes down to documents: a complete commercial invoice, packing list, and correct HTS code. For China shipments, also keep origin certificates if US–China trade with Section 301 tariffs on select goods is claimed. The calculator's estimate assumes standard documentation is in place — verify yours before you book freight.