Shipping from China to USA — Ocean Freight, Air Freight, Costs & Transit Times
Everything US importers need to know about moving goods from Chinese factories to American warehouses — transit times, landed costs, customs requirements, and which freight mode fits your shipment.
Why US Importers Ship from China Through Platton
Ocean Freight from China to USA — FCL & LCL Shipping
Ocean freight from China to USA is the most cost-effective option for commercial shipments. Full Container Load (FCL) transit from Shanghai or Shenzhen to Los Angeles takes 14–18 days; to New York via the Panama Canal, 25–35 days. Less-than-Container Load (LCL) consolidation adds 5–7 days for deconsolidation at destination. Shipping from China to USA price for a 40ft FCL typically ranges from $2,500 to $6,000 depending on season, carrier, and port pair.
Air Freight from China to USA — Express & Standard Service
Air freight shipping from China to USA delivers in 5–10 business days airport-to-airport, with express options as fast as 3–5 days. Standard air cargo costs $4–$8 per kilogram; express courier (DHL, FedEx, UPS) runs $6–$12/kg. Best for shipments under 500 kg, time-sensitive restocks, high-value electronics, or perishable goods. Platton books direct flights from PVG (Shanghai), CAN (Guangzhou), and SZX (Shenzhen) to LAX, JFK, ORD, and other major US gateways.
Door to Door Shipping from China — Factory to Warehouse, Fully Managed
Door to door shipping from china covers factory pickup, export customs clearance in China, ocean or air transit, US customs brokerage, last-mile trucking, and delivery to your warehouse or Amazon FBA facility. Platton manages every handoff so you receive one tracking number, one invoice, and one point of contact. For importers who don't want to coordinate between a Chinese freight agent, a US customs broker, and a local trucker separately, door-to-door is the simplest option.
How Shipping from China to USA Works — Step by Step
Every China import follows a standard sequence:
- 1 your supplier finishes production and goods pass quality inspection,
- 2 a freight forwarder collects cargo from the factory and delivers it to the port or airport in China,
- 3 Chinese customs clears the export,
- 4 cargo travels by ocean or air to the US port of entry,
- 5 US Customs and Border Protection reviews documentation and collects duties,
- 6 last-mile delivery to your warehouse
For ocean freight from China to USA, the full cycle takes 30–45 days door-to-door including customs processing. For air freight, expect 7–15 days.
The documentation you need for every shipment includes: commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading (ocean) or air waybill (air), ISF 10+2 filing (ocean only, submitted 24 hours before vessel departure), customs entry form (CBP Form 7501), and any product-specific certificates (FDA, FCC, CPSC, USDA). Platton prepares and files all documents, coordinates with your Chinese supplier for export paperwork, and handles US customs brokerage so nothing delays your cargo at the border.
Common Problems on the China-to-USA Route — And How Platton Handles Them
US Customs Duties, Tariffs & Section 301 on Chinese Goods
Most goods imported from China are subject to standard MFN duty rates plus additional Section 301 tariffs ranging from 7.5% to 25% on specific product categories. Incorrect HS code classification can trigger underpayment penalties or overpayment that eats your margin. Platton's customs team classifies your products using the correct HTS codes, calculates total landed cost including duties before you ship, and files entries with CBP. If your product qualifies for tariff exclusions or duty drawback, we identify that before shipment.
Port Congestion & Transit Delays on the Transpacific Route
The China-to-US transpacific corridor is the world's busiest shipping lane, and delays at ports like Long Beach, Los Angeles, and Savannah can add 5–14 days to your delivery window. Peak season (August–October) compounds the problem with vessel rollovers and chassis shortages. Platton monitors vessel schedules in real time, books with carriers that have the best on-time performance for your port pair, and reroutes through alternative gateways (Oakland, Seattle, Houston) when congestion spikes. For air freight from China to USA, we pre-book capacity during peak periods to avoid last-minute rate surges.
Documentation Errors That Hold Shipments at US Customs
CBP holds or examines shipments when documentation is incomplete, inconsistent, or late. Common errors on the China-to-USA route: ISF filing submitted after the deadline, commercial invoice values that don't match the customs entry, missing FDA prior notice for food or cosmetics, or incorrect country of origin marking. Each hold costs $150–$500/day in demurrage and storage fees. Platton cross-checks every document before shipment leaves China, files ISF within the required 24-hour window, and coordinates with the Chinese exporter to resolve discrepancies before they trigger a CBP exam.
Calculating Total Landed Cost — Freight, Duties, Fees & Hidden Charges
The freight quote you see is only part of the total landed cost. Add: origin handling (factory to port), export customs fees, ocean or air transit costs, destination terminal handling, US customs brokerage, duty and tariff payments, drayage or trucking to your warehouse, cargo insurance, and ISF filing fees. On a typical $25,000 FCL shipment, these add-on costs can total $3,000–$8,000 depending on product category and port. Platton provides a complete landed cost breakdown before you confirm any booking, so there are no surprise invoices after delivery.
Choosing Between Ocean & Air Freight for Your China Shipment
Ocean freight from China to USA makes sense for shipments over 2 CBM or 150 kg where transit time is flexible (25–40 days). Air freight from China to USA is better when your shipment is under 500 kg, time-sensitive, or high-value relative to weight. A common strategy: ship your base inventory by ocean and use air cargo from China for urgent restocks. Platton helps you model both options against your sell-through rate, storage costs, and cash flow so you pick the mode that maximizes margin, not just the cheapest freight rate.
Amazon FBA Prep & Direct-to-Warehouse Delivery from China
If you sell on Amazon, your China shipment needs to meet FBA labeling, packaging, and appointment booking requirements before it reaches the fulfillment center. Platton coordinates FBA prep — carton labels, FNSKU stickers, poly bagging — either at origin in China or at a US prep warehouse. We book delivery appointments with Amazon's carrier central system, handle the BOL, and confirm receipt. For non-Amazon sellers, we deliver direct to your 3PL or private warehouse with advance shipping notice (ASN) so your team is ready to receive.
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Common Questions
Transit time depends on mode and destination port. Ocean freight from China to USA West Coast (LA, Long Beach, Oakland) takes 14–18 days port-to-port. East Coast (New York, Savannah, Charleston) takes 25–35 days. Add 5–10 days for customs clearance, drayage, and last-mile delivery. Air freight from China to USA takes 5–10 business days airport-to-airport, or 3–5 days for express courier. Total door-to-door: 30–45 days by ocean, 7–15 days by air.
Ocean freight for a 40ft FCL from Shanghai to Los Angeles typically costs $2,500–$6,000 depending on season and carrier. LCL rates run $40–$80 per CBM. Air cargo costs $4–$8/kg standard, $6–$12/kg express. On top of freight, factor in US customs duties (0–25%+ depending on product and Section 301 status), customs brokerage ($150–$250), drayage ($300–$800), and cargo insurance (0.3–0.5% of goods value). Platton provides a full cost breakdown — including the shipping from China to USA price — before you book so you know the exact total.
Required documents: commercial invoice (with product description, quantity, value, and HS codes), packing list, bill of lading or air waybill, ISF 10+2 filing (ocean shipments only, due 24 hours before vessel departure), CBP entry form, and a customs bond (single-entry or continuous). Product-specific certificates may include: FDA prior notice (food, drugs, cosmetics), FCC Declaration of Conformity (electronics), CPSC certificate (children's products), or USDA phytosanitary certificate (agricultural goods). Platton prepares all documents and files them on your behalf.
Yes, and it's a common strategy. Many importers ship 70–80% of inventory by ocean to keep costs low and send 20–30% by air for immediate availability or seasonal restocks. Platton coordinates split shipments from the same factory: the bulk order goes FCL by sea while a smaller quantity flies air cargo. We align customs entries so both shipments clear under the same import bond and track delivery to the same warehouse.
Yes. Platton handles China-to-FBA shipments directly to Amazon fulfillment centers. We coordinate FBA prep (labeling, poly bagging, carton requirements), book delivery appointments through Amazon's carrier central, and ensure your shipment meets all FBA receiving guidelines. We also manage the customs entry and ISF filing so your goods clear without delay. Available for both ocean and air cargo from China.
Ocean freight LCL is the cheapest option for small shipments (under 15 CBM). FCL becomes more economical once your cargo fills at least half a 20ft container. For shipments under 150 kg, express courier (DHL, FedEx) can actually be cheaper than air cargo because of lower minimum charges. The cheapest overall method is FCL ocean freight during off-peak months (January–April), combined with flexible port selection — shipping to Oakland or Seattle instead of congested LA can save $200–$500 per container. Platton compares all options and recommends the most cost-effective route for your specific cargo.
Ready to Ship from China to the USA?
Whether you're moving a single LCL consolidation or 20 FCL containers per month, Platton handles shipping from China to USA from factory to warehouse: factory pickup, export clearance, ocean or air transit, US customs brokerage, and last-mile delivery. You get one point of contact, one invoice, and full visibility from Chinese factory to American warehouse. Talk to our team for a free landed cost estimate on your next shipment.