How Long is the Shipping Time From China to the US?

(Last Updated On: 2022年9月26日)

During the following article we are going to look into the time it takes for goods to be shipped from China to the US specifically. You will learn about all the factors that may have an influence on this time frame, such as malfunctions or the current pandemic. Besides, we will show you tips and tricks as to how the process can be sped up. We will also discuss why it is important to keep the transit time as short as possible.

During the past decades China has become one of the world’s top dominating economies. Being the second after the US, companies started to be more and more interested in doing business here. This is due to the country’s low costs for goods which then allows products to be sold with greater profits. When it comes to shipping, time is naturally key. This is because it will affect a multitude of things. Stock estimations, value and long-term customer satisfaction to mention just a few.

How Long Does it Take to Ship from China to the USA?

Generally, shipping to USA from China will take anywhere from 1-35 days, depending upon shipping methods and the final destination .

Air from port to port is fast ,directly airline : 1-2days.

transfer airline : 3-5days

Express door to door takes 3-5 days.

Air freight door to door (air shipping add local delivery ro door DDU/DDP) takes anywhere from 7-15 days;

shipping port to port about 9-20days.

and sea freight DDP( shipping add local delivery to door ) from 15-25 workdays

As a general rule of thumb, below are the typical number of days it takes to ship cargo from China to the US by various forms of transportation.

3-5Days – via China Air Express
7-15 Days –via China Air DDP
15+ Days – via China Sea Freight to the West Coast
25+ Days – via China Sea Freight to the East Coast

The Factors Affecting China to Us Shipping Time

There are several factors that affect the shipping time from China to the US. This time can change considerably depending on the way the goods are delivered and of course the type of goods transported as well. Businesses in the US that rely on large shipments that will allow them to keep their stock filled will be highly affected by any delay. Some of these delays can happen because of the:

The Origin of The Products
The Exact Port Destination of the Shipment
The Specific Type of the Products
Total Quantity of Products (f.e.: several containers via sea freight)

The Effect of COVID-19 on China to US Shipping Time

The recent outbreak of COVID has had an impact on our world as a whole. With that, naturally it has been affecting trade as well. There are too many ways COVID-19 has impacted business operations and weakened services in general. This part of the article is of utmost importance as this is true to current business transactions. The pandemic had caused lots of damage. Here are the most significant ones yet:

Early Impact on China to US Shipping Time
At the initial wave of COVID-19 people were scared and in doubt about the virus. Many myths were spread and some escalated so far as to prevent business from importing from China for a period of time. Transportation times fluctuated to the extremes.
Disrupting Every Economy
Due to its quick world-wide spread, the corona virus caused a full global recession. With that several shipping companies had to lay off employees, close business temporarily or even permanently.
Shipping Schedules Ruined
As a consequence of sudden shipment cancellations, many cargo ships, planes had to await new orders in order to fill up their empty space. This was of course to make the freight still worthwhile economically. Consequently buyers at the other end would wait additional weeks or even months at times. Besides, local mandates made it more difficult for ports, factories and all parts of the supply chain to schedule their operations as precisely as before.
Low Traffic, High Shipping Rates
Restrictions on air freight and air travel in general lowered overall traffic and increased prices. This has improved since 2020 but has not recovered fully yet.
Eventual Stabilization
Due to vaccines and preventive regulations, the situation has been improving. Many shipping firms have been able to reopen. However there is room for recovery. Low demand from buyers and frequent delays are still in need of improvement.

Tips On China to US Shipping During the Pandemic

As the pandemic poses new challenges every day, it is more important than ever to be ready, adaptive and flexible when it comes to managing your logistics and business operations. Here are the most important things you can do to optimize your shipping during the pandemic:

Plan Well Ahead Before Shipping
Always Follow the Latest News & Regulations Affecting Your Business
Good and Constant Communication Between You and Your Buyer is Always Key
Try Your Best at Anticipating Sudden Changes
Be Ready to Act Quickly

The Variation of China to Us Shipping Time Between Different Modes

Naturally the time of shipping of your goods is affected by choice of mode of delivery. You have to make the decision based on several factors. Especially those of budget, deadlines and what is most economical in the long term. The three most popular modes of freight from China to the US are:

Express Delivery – 4 Days to 2 Weeks Depending on Carrier (f.e.: DHL, UPS or FedEx)
Air Freight – An Average of 2 Weeks
Ocean Freight- More than 25 Days If it is on the East Coast.

Other on Sea & Ocean Freight Methods & Placement of Cargo

When it comes to Ocean and Sea Freight shipping methods, one should also look into the choice of method of placement of cargo. There are 2 main types we can distinguish between, when loading cargo onto ships for sea and ocean freight. These are referred to as FCL and LCL container load methods:

FLF - Full Container Load
When your shipment exceeds a certain volume it does not need to be opened, instead it can be delivered via trucks straight to the destination port or warehouse.
LCL – Less than Container Load
When your shipment does not exceed a certain volume it will fit right into a container along with other orders and thereby it will likely reduce your shipment costs as well.

Scheduling Your Shipment Time From China to The Usa

As we emphasized it earlier, it is key to plan well ahead. Especially nowadays during these turbulent times of trade war and global epidemic. Therefore besides being flexible and ready to act, do consider the following:

Check for Weather Conditions
Always Communicate With Your Supplier
Keep in Mind Holidays Seasons Around the World
Always Order More Before Your Stocks Run Out

Besides most important of all: Keep in mind estimated delivery times. Below we collected 10 popular ports and destinations both by air and sea freight for you so you can better estimate the time it will take for your ordered goods to arrive:

Common Sea Freight Shipping Routes Times From China to USA

Guangzhou to Los Angeles – 26 days LCL
Dalian to Los Angeles – 26 days LCL
Huangpu to New York – 40 days LCL and FCL
Jiangmen to Miami – 44 days LCL
Ningbo to Seattle – 17 days LCL, 23 days FCL
Shanghai to Boston – 35 days LCL, 37 days FCL
Shanghai to Chicago – 28 days LCL, 37 days FCL
Qingdao to Chicago – 25 days LCL, 24 days FCL
Tianjin to Seattle – 35 days LCL, 36 days FCL
Xiamen to Los Angeles – 20 days LCL

Common Air Freight Shipping Routes Times From China to USA

Guangzhou to Atlanta – 5 days
Zhengzhou to Los Angeles – 5 days
Chengdu to Los Angeles – 12 days
Beijing to New York – 6 days
Beijing to Chicago – 4 days
Shanghai to Chicago – 5 days
Shanghai to Sacramento – 6 days
Qingdao to Seattle – 5 days
Wuhan to New York – 8 days
Xiamen to Los Angeles – 8 days

The Common Causes Of Shipment Delays From China to Usa

Shipments can be delayed for a multitude of reasons. Below are some of the most common causes of freight delays between China and the US than can vary between days and weeks:

Blockage of Normal Flow of Logistics During Peak Seasons
Inspection of The Cargo by Customs
Using the Wrong Type of Documentation Causing Setbacks
Incorrect Definitions of The Specifications of Your Products
Too Many Steps Set Up as Part of Your Operations

Ways to Avoid China to US Shipping Delays

Delays cause lots of damages. Customer satisfaction rates can go down as well as profit margins can be negatively affected. Most often these delays are not caused by one individual. Small mistakes add up quickly and delays usually appear as a result of this. Here are the top 5 ways to prevent delays:

Hire Your Own Sourcing Company to Select Products For You
Hire a Third Party Logistics Company To Oversee Logistics & Operations
Always Be In Touch With Your Customs Broker
Make Sure That the Chain of Supply is Under Control
Monitor Your Inventory Continuously

Frequently Asked Questions About Shipping From China Usa

Finally we have collected the top frequently asked questions to answer any further concerns you might have:

What is The Best Mode of Shipping For Me?

This is of course dependent on your exact type of business, your needs and local regulations combined. Following the above steps you can select what works best for you in the long-run.

Does My Supplier Require a China Export License?

Yes. Manufacturers and suppliers both have to obtain a license from the Ministry of Commerce and register their business at the Foreign Trade Company

Will I Have to Pay For the Export License?

Fees of export license will be paid by the supplier. Unless the contract specifies it differently, the export taxes will be paid by the exporter.

If you use honourocean door to door shipping way, then no need any licens

Partnering For Your Success We deliver excellence.

How Much Will the Customs Inspection Cost?

Customs inspection costs will be dependent on current US regulations as well as the type of shipment. Three types of inspection and their costs are:

VACIS Inspection 2-3 days $300
Tail Gate Inspection 5-6 days $350
Intensive Customs Inspection 7-30 days $1000

Will a 3PL Slow Down the Shipping Process?

Not necessarily. It can take extra days of delivery if 3PL services are used. However having third party logistics in fact can help you avoid delays by ensuring correct ways of operation. It is definitely a worthy investment

We can provide professional shipping services from any port in China to the USA. Including Shanghai, Shenzhen, Ningbo, Guangzhou, Qingdao, Xiamen to the USA, etc. In a word, we can arrange any shipment from any place China to the USA

Door to Door Delivery from china to USA

There are many different types of shipping methods available, and it can be confusing to determine which one is right for you. In general, there are three main types of shipping methods: air cargo, ocean freight, and DDP shipping. Each type of shipping method has its own advantages and disadvantages, so it is important to consider all of your options before making a decision.

sea shipping from china to USA

Sea shipping from China to USA is one of the most popular and affordable options for transporting goods. However, this method does come with its own set of challenges. In order to ensure that your shipment arrives safely and on time, you need to make sure it is properly packaged and prepared before sending it off at the port.

Air freight from china to USA

Air freight shipping is a popular option for transporting goods from China to USA. This type of shipping is fast and convenient, and it allows you to track your shipment every step of the way.

One of the best shipping options is to use an international shipping company for door-to-door shipping from China to USA. The company will take care of everything including all types of packaging, customs clearance, and delivery. If you are not in need or want to deal with the hassle of shipping your goods yourself this type of service is perfect for you

Please note that the final cost depends on product name, weight and volume,ship way

Step 1: check freight base customer reqeust (1-2 hours)

Via some basic information: product name, weight, the volume we send quotation confirm ship way

Step 2: Consolidation(1-3days)

Honourocean contact supply sends the goods to our warehouse or we pick up the goods for you.

Step 3: Shipping by air or sea

We will arrange your goods send to your country(the sea port ,air port ,or door to door).

Step 4: Tracking

When your goods have sent, we will send you the tracking number, you can check the status anytime.

Step 5: Arrival

We will make an appointment to arrange to pick up your goods.Customer will pick up with BL

Want to know when to book space?

Normally we book space in advance 2-3days, if peak season, we book in advance 1 or 2 weeks

Here is commom pitfalls many customers meet

As 12 years logistics provider, Honourocean is a professional, reliable， honest freight forwarder.

we can solve all these problems for you.

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We provide reliable and cost-effective rates for your shipments with competitive pricing through our global network of agents, partners, and warehouses. We offer ddp shipping services in the USA, Canada, UK and Australia,Singapore, Europe,Japan, Philippines，Malaysia，South Africa，Mexico, and so on. Honourocean service including sea shipping, air shipping, courier shipping, railway transport from china to worldwide . As a professional freight agent, we can provide a free quotation for your request within 24 hours. No Hidden Charges, No Extra Cost. Our experts team will give you a perfect one-stop door-to-door transport solution

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