With China serving as the world’s largest manufacturing hub, businesses and individuals frequently need to ship goods to the United States. Whether you’re a small business, an Amazon FBA seller, or simply someone sending personal items, choosing the right shipping method is essential to ensure cost-efficiency, reliability, and timely delivery.
This guide outlines all the major options for sending goods from China to the US. We’ll explore sea freight, air freight, express shipping, and door-to-door services, along with pricing details, transit times, and practical tips for choosing the best logistics solution.
Table of Contents
Sea Freight Shipping from China to the US
Sea freight is the most cost-effective shipping method for transporting large or heavy goods. It is ideal for businesses with bulk shipments that do not require urgent delivery.
Full Container Load (FCL)
FCL shipping involves renting an entire container (20ft or 40ft) for your cargo. It is best for businesses with large shipments.
Advantages: Cost-effective for bulk cargo, less risk of damage.
Transit Time: 25–40 days depending on the route.
Cost: $1,500–3,500 for a 20ft container; $2,500–5,000 for a 40ft container.
Less than Container Load (LCL)
LCL shipping allows you to share a container with other shippers, making it cost-efficient for smaller shipments.
Advantages: Lower cost for small cargo volumes.
Transit Time: 30–45 days.
Cost: $100–200 per CBM depending on the port.
Popular Ports for Sea Freight
Departure Ports in China: Shanghai, Shenzhen, Ningbo, Guangzhou, Qingdao.
Arrival Ports in the US: Los Angeles, Long Beach, New York, Houston, Miami.
Tonlexing Sea Freight Services: At Tonlexing, we provide competitive FCL and LCL rates, real-time tracking, and comprehensive door-to-door options.
Air Freight Shipping from China to the US
Air freight is the fastest shipping method, ideal for time-sensitive shipments or goods with high value.
Benefits of Air Freight
Speed: Transit time ranges from 3 to 7 days.
Reliability: Frequent flights ensure consistent delivery schedules.
Best For: Electronics, fashion goods, medical supplies, and perishable items.
Air Freight Costs
Air freight costs are based on weight (chargeable weight = gross weight or volumetric weight, whichever is greater).
| Weight Range | Estimated Cost per KG |
|---|---|
| 0–100 KG | $5–8 per KG |
| 101–300 KG | $4.50–6.50 per KG |
| 301+ KG | $4–5.50 per KG |
Popular Airports for Air Freight
Departure Airports in China: Beijing (PEK), Shanghai Pudong (PVG), Shenzhen (SZX), Guangzhou (CAN).
Arrival Airports in the US: Los Angeles (LAX), New York (JFK), Chicago (ORD), Miami (MIA).
Tonlexing Air Freight Solutions: Tonlexing offers reliable and cost-effective air freight services, including customs clearance and delivery to your final destination.
Express Shipping from China to the US
Express shipping is a premium logistics option provided by global carriers such as DHL, FedEx, UPS, and TNT. It is ideal for small packages, urgent deliveries, or personal shipments.
Features of Express Shipping
Fast Delivery: 3–5 business days on average.
Convenience: Door-to-door delivery.
Tracking: Real-time tracking for transparency.
Cost of Express Shipping
Express shipping rates are higher than other methods and depend on weight and delivery speed:
| Weight Range | Estimated Cost |
| 0–5 KG | $25–50 per shipment |
| 5–20 KG | $8–12 per KG |
| 21–50 KG | $6–10 per KG |
Tonlexing Express Shipping: Partnering with top express carriers, Tonlexing ensures your urgent shipments arrive on time with end-to-end delivery tracking.
Door-to-Door (DDP) Shipping from China to the US
Delivered Duty Paid (DDP) shipping simplifies the entire logistics process by offering end-to-end services. In DDP, the freight forwarder manages pickup, shipping, customs clearance, duties, and final delivery.
Advantages of DDP Shipping
Hassle-Free: No need to deal with customs or paperwork.
All-Inclusive: Duties, taxes, and fees are covered upfront.
Best For: E-commerce sellers, Amazon FBA shipments, and businesses with minimal logistics experience.
DDP Shipping Costs
| Shipping Method | Estimated Cost per CBM | Transit Time |
| Sea Freight | $200–400 | 30–45 days |
| Air Freight | $6–9 per KG | 7–10 days |
Tonlexing DDP Services: Tonlexing provides seamless door-to-door solutions with transparent pricing and guaranteed delivery to your doorstep or Amazon FBA warehouse.
How to Choose the Best Shipping Method
When deciding on the right shipping option from China to the US, consider the following factors:
Cargo Size and Weight: Use sea freight for large and heavy goods, and air freight for smaller, urgent shipments.
Delivery Time: Air freight and express shipping are ideal for time-sensitive cargo.
Budget: Sea freight offers the lowest cost for bulk shipments, while express shipping is suitable for small, high-value items.
Convenience: DDP shipping simplifies the process with all-inclusive door-to-door services.
Nature of Goods: Fragile or valuable goods may require special handling and faster delivery.
Why Choose Tonlexing for Shipping from China to the US?
At Tonlexing, we specialize in providing reliable, efficient, and affordable shipping solutions tailored to your needs. Our services include:
Sea Freight (FCL and LCL): Cost-effective options for bulk shipments.
Air Freight: Fast and secure delivery for time-sensitive cargo.
Express Shipping: Premium services for urgent shipments.
DDP Shipping: Hassle-free logistics with all duties and taxes included.
Amazon FBA Shipping: Expert solutions for Amazon sellers, including delivery to FBA warehouses.
With a strong network of partners, real-time tracking, and personalized customer support, we ensure your goods arrive safely and on time.
Shipping goods from China to the US requires careful consideration of costs, delivery times, and logistics methods. Whether you opt for sea freight, air freight, express shipping, or DDP services, understanding your options will help you make informed decisions.
By partnering with a reliable freight forwarder like Tonlexing, you can streamline your shipping process, reduce costs, and ensure timely delivery. From bulk shipments to urgent deliveries, we provide comprehensive logistics solutions to meet all your shipping needs.
Contact Tonlexing today for a customized shipping quote and let us help you navigate your logistics from China to the US!
