Import & Shipping Cost from United States to China

Main departure hubs in United States

Most United States to China cargo leaves from Los Angeles, Long Beach, New York. 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.

Sample Cost Breakdown: United States to China

Example: Importing $15,000 worth of goods from United States. Ocean freight (LCL): $700-1,100 depending on volume. Insurance (0.3-0.5% of cargo value): $45-75. Customs duties (assume 8%): $1,200. Customs broker fees: $200-350. Destination handling and delivery: $300-600. Total add-on: $2,445-3,325, or 16-22% above product cost. For air freight, double the shipping cost and reduce transit time by 70%. The calculator gives you precise numbers for your specific shipment.

Trade Framework: Agreements and Tariffs

US-Germany (EU); no US-EU FTA; standard WTO rates Depending on your product HS code classification, duty rates range from 0-20% depending on HS code classification. I always recommend getting a binding tariff ruling from customs if you are importing a product for the first time — it takes 30 days but eliminates classification risk. A misclassified HS code can mean overpaying duty for years or facing penalties for underpayment.

United States Export Logistics — What You Need to Know

Your cargo leaves from Los Angeles, Long Beach, New York/New Jersey, Savannah, Seattle and arrives at Shanghai, Shenzhen, Ningbo, Guangzhou, Qingdao. The choice of incoterm matters here: FOB United States means you control the shipping and insurance. CIF China means the supplier handles it but you pay a markup. For first-time importers, I recommend FOB — you get quotes from 3-5 freight forwarders and pick the best rate. The savings usually offset the extra coordination effort.

Get Your Precise Landed Cost

Use the calculator above to get an itemized breakdown for your specific products — just enter your unit price, quantity, shipping method, and optional HS code for the most accurate duty estimate. The calculator handles duty, VAT or GST, insurance, clearance fees, and inland freight. For complex shipments or regulated products like food, electronics, or chemicals, consult a licensed customs broker in China before finalizing your purchase order.

United States to China: Real Import Costs Beyond the Price Tag

When I work with clients importing from United States to China, the first question is always "what is the FOB price?" — but that is only 60% of the story. The remaining 40% comes from freight, duty, taxes, and fees that do not show up on the supplier invoice. United States exports machinery, electronics, aircraft, vehicles, and agricultural products, and China is a growing market for these goods. Sea freight Los Angeles → Shanghai takes 14-20 days port-to-port; air freight takes 2-4 days. Routed across the Pacific.