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 expédition, 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?

China to usa sea freight time

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.

Fret aérien 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.

et fret maritime 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 cargaison 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

China to California Sea Freight Shipping Times

Chinese Port	California Port	Transit Time (Days)
Guangzhou	Los Angeles	16-22
Shenzhen	Los Angeles	16-22
Shanghai	Los Angeles	18-25
Qingdao	Los Angeles	20-25
Ningbo	Los Angeles	20-25
Xiamen	Los Angeles	20-25
Chengdu	Los Angeles	20-28
Dalian	Los Angeles	22-28

China to California Air Freight Shipping Times

Chinese Airport	California Airport	Transit Time (Days)
Guangzhou	Los Angeles	3-5
Shenzhen	Los Angeles	3-5
Shanghai	Los Angeles	4-5
Qingdao	Los Angeles	4-6
Ningbo	Los Angeles	4-5
Xiamen	Los Angeles	4-5
Chengdu	Los Angeles	4-6

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 hytcargo door to door shipping way, then no need any licens

Un partenariat pour votre réussite Nous offrons l'excellence.

Demande de renseignements

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

Livraison porte à porte de la Chine aux États-Unis

Il existe de nombreux types de méthodes d'expédition et il peut être difficile de déterminer celle qui vous convient le mieux. En général, il existe trois grands types de méthodes d'expédition : le fret aérien, le fret maritime et l'expédition DDP. Chaque type de méthode d'expédition a ses propres avantages et inconvénients. Il est donc important d'examiner toutes les options possibles avant de prendre une décision.

Transport maritime de la Chine vers les États-Unis

• Le navire le plus rapide entre la Chine et Singapour
• Envoi hebdomadaire aux États-Unis
• Principaux transporteurs
• DDP one- stop shipping (expédition en une seule fois)

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.

Fret aérien de la Chine vers les États-Unis

• Main airlines from China to Singapore
• Taux de fret aérien compétitif
• D'un aéroport à l'autre
• Arrêt unique de porte à porte

L'expédition de fret aérien est une option populaire pour le transport de marchandises de la Chine vers les États-Unis. Ce type d'expédition est rapide et pratique, et vous permet de suivre votre envoi à chaque étape.

• Service DDP mer/air vers les États-Unis
• Traitement de tous les documents douaniers connexes
• Y compris le dédouanement en Chine et aux États-Unis
• Commande minimale 0.5KG

L'une des meilleures options d'expédition consiste à faire appel à une société d'expédition internationale pour l'expédition porte-à-porte de la Chine vers les États-Unis. La société s'occupera de tout, y compris de tous les types d'emballage, du dédouanement et de la livraison. Si vous n'avez pas besoin de vous occuper vous-même de l'expédition de vos marchandises ou si vous ne souhaitez pas le faire, ce type de service est parfait pour vous.

Veuillez noter que le coût final dépend du nom du produit, de son poids et de son volume, ainsi que du mode d'expédition.

Étape 1 : vérification de la demande du client en matière de fret (1-2 heures)

Via quelques informations de base : nom du produit, poids, volume, nous envoyons un devis et confirmons le mode d'expédition.

Étape 2 : Consolidation (1-3 jours)

hytcargo contact supply envoie les marchandises à notre entrepôt ou nous allons les chercher pour vous.

Étape 3 : Expédition par voie aérienne ou maritime

Nous nous occupons de l'envoi de vos marchandises dans votre pays (port maritime, port aérien ou porte à porte).

Étape 4 : Suivi

Une fois les marchandises expédiées, nous vous enverrons le numéro de suivi, vous pourrez ainsi vérifier l'état de la marchandise à tout moment.

Étape 5 : Arrivée

Nous fixerons un rendez-vous pour l'enlèvement de vos marchandises.

Vous voulez savoir quand réserver un espace ?

Normalement, nous réservons l'espace à l'avance 2-3 jours, en haute saison, nous réservons à l'avance 1 ou 2 semaines.

Voici les pièges les plus courants que rencontrent de nombreux clients 

• L'agent modifie le devis une fois la commande passée
• Pour les envois Lcl, les clients ont demandé des frais de destination élevés et inattendus.
• Les commandes urgentes retardent beaucoup
• Payer le fret aérien mais arrangé par bateau

Prestataire logistique depuis 12 ans, hytcargo est un transitaire professionnel, fiable， honnête.

nous pouvons résoudre tous ces problèmes pour vous.

Nous fournissons des tarifs fiables et rentables pour vos expéditions grâce à notre réseau mondial d'agents, de partenaires et d'entrepôts. Nous proposons des services d'expédition ddp aux États-Unis, au Canada, au Royaume-Uni et en Australie, à Singapour, en Europe, au Japon, aux Philippines，Malaysia，Afrique du Sud，Mexique, etc. Les services hytcargo comprennent l'expédition maritime, l'expédition aérienne, l'expédition par coursier, le transport ferroviaire de la Chine vers le monde entier. En tant qu'agent de fret professionnel, nous pouvons fournir un devis gratuit pour votre demande dans les 24 heures. Pas de frais cachés, pas de coûts supplémentaires. Notre équipe d'experts vous fournira une solution de transport porte-à-porte complète et parfaite.