How long to ship from China to US

How long to ship from China to US? Express, air, or sea freight? Which is the best option for your shipment? Explore how long it takes and factors involved in shipping from China to the USA.

Since globalization, the world has literally shrunk. Buyers and sellers are closer and more connected than ever. Hence, economic routes have by far improved to expedite the shipping process, typically from China to the USA. 

Efficient shipping service from China to the USA is essential to ensuring supply chain efficiency, cost management, and customer satisfaction. You can’t risk any delays, especially for edibles or perishables. 

Factors Affecting Freight Shipping Time from China to the USA

Freight shipping time from the China to USA is affected by several factors. The kind of route selected, the number of ports involved (each port may have different regulations and other factors that lead to delays), and the shipping method you opt for.

Let’s talk about these factors and how they affect the shipping timelines.

1. Route Selection

Your shipping company can take different shipping routes depending on the budget, types of goods, timelines, weather or geopolitical conditions, or issues like port congestion, etc. Some companies opt for direct shipment, while others take transshipment routes.

Of course, direct shipments are faster and easier. The consignment doesn’t have to go through different stopovers or change vessels during transit through the other ports.

In transshipment routes, the cargo may be transferred from one vessel to another at the ports it touches all the way to the final destination, which means you should be ready for delays and wait times with transshipments.

At times, freight service providers need to reroute or take detours to avoid weather or other conditions that can further cause delays.

Then there are also different timelines for the East Coast and West Coast, which we’ll discuss in the later part of the article.

2. Port of Departure and Destination

The port of departure in China and the port of destination in the USA also significantly impact the shipment timelines and costs. For instance, if you want to deliver from or to a port with high traffic or export/import volumes, you may have to wait longer and face delays.

Then, there are ports with inefficient or delayed custom practices that can further extend the time. Seasonal sales can also impact the shipping volume and timelines.

If you deal with a port with streamlined customs and systems, they will expedite your shipment and give you time.

Then, many ports may experience congestion at certain times of the year. This may be due to more cargo or other operational troubles that further delay shipments.

The loading and unloading will take longer, and you’ll have to wait at the shipping dock.

3. Shipping Method

Freight Forwarder from China to USA take different shipping methods depending on the type of goods being shipped and the time sensitivity.

Sea Freight

The most prevalent route to ship goods from China to the USA is via sea. It’s low cost and a bit slow compared to air. Keep in mind a time margin of about 20-40 days. But a lot also depends on the type of route your goods take and the ports you touch.

There are different stages in sea freight, such as loading, ocean transit, unloading, and customs clearance.

Each stage takes due time and hence affects the shipping times.

Air Freight

Air freight is faster but also costlier. Typically, it will take 1-2 weeks to get your goods from China to the USA.

So, if your goods are time-sensitive, it’s a viable option.

However, you may face additional customs processing and handling that may affect your timeline.

Express Shipping

Express shipping is the fastest option. It usually just takes a few days to get your goods from China to the USA. 

However, the service is used for urgent deliveries only or small, high-value items. Cost is a premium compared to the other modes of shipment. Also, the final delivery timeline may be affected by customs or other handling issues.

Other factors affecting shipping from China to the USA

Cargo transportation may get delayed or face shipping complications during peak season due to documentation problems or during the holiday season.

Custom Inspection During US Customs Clearance

US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) follow strict protocols for all imports. Random shipments may be selected for inspection.

If your shipment is selected, customs will check it in detail to ensure compliance with the regulations or that it doesn’t contain any prohibited items. During the inspection, all the import documents will also be checked.

In case of any discrepancy, the shipment can be delayed, or in some situations, a resolution to the problems may be required.

Delays Caused by Container Shortage During Peak Season

During peak seasons, like holidays, sales season, etc., the shipping volume increases, and the rise in demand can lead to a shortage of containers or slots for shipping, which can also cause delays in transportation. Moreover, the ground staff will be limited during holidays, so loading and unloading can be further delayed.

In turn, a container shortage can affect the overall supply chain. The flow of exports will be reduced, inventory levels will suffer, and shipping time will be delayed.

Delays Caused by Documentation Errors

Complete documents are a mandatory step to ensure a smooth shipping process. Suppose there are any missing documents or errors in documents that have incorrect descriptions, labeling, or paperwork. In that case, they can cause delays as they must be corrected before your shipment gets processed.

When customs officials hold the shipment until the documents are provided or corrected, they may also check or inspect the items.

If goods are not compliant with the regulation due to incorrect documentation or prohibited items, they will need to be inspected further, which can extend the transit time and the time required to clear the cargo for import.

Weather

Severe weather conditions, such as rough seas, storms, hurricanes, extreme snowfall, etc., or even natural catastrophes like tsunamis and earthquakes, can lead to delays.

At times, ports may have to be closed, or ships may have to take safer routes, which can lead to additional costs, delays, etc.

Sometimes, a port may be closed temporarily, too, due to the extreme weather conditions.

Major Holidays in China

Of course, during the holiday season, the shipping service will be affected.

The companies may have to work with limited capacity, which can delay China’s manufacturing and goods processing.

Moreover, the logistics and transportation services may also be disrupted, so it will be hard to find trucks or containers to take the goods to the port. 

Even the available workforce will be limited as most people will be on holiday, which will cause a backlog of shipments. Soon after the holiday season, the company’s manufacturing unit may have to catch up with the delayed production and schedule.

Here’s an overview of the Chinese holiday calendar.

Festival	Date	Holiday Length
Chinese New Years Day	January to February	14 days or longer
Qingming Festival	Early April	3 day
Labor Day	May 1st – May 5rd	3-5 days
Dragon Boat Festival	One day in June, it is not fixed.	3 days
Mid-Autumn Festival	Three-day holiday in September	3 days
China’s National Day	October 1st to October 7th	7 days

Shipping Time from China to the USA

It is important to understand the shipping time from China to the USA, as it will help you set realistic timelines and manage supply chains accordingly. 

The first thing to understand is that transit time usually depends on whether you are delivering the goods to the West Coast or East Coast of the USA.

West Coast

The transit time at the West port is around 15 to 21 days. The West Coast has six main ports: 

• Los Angeles
• Long Beach
• Oakland
• Seattle
• San Francisco, and 
• Tacoma

The distance between China and the West Coast is considerably short, which is why the transit time is relatively less. However, the factors discussed above, like weather and port congestion, may influence the timeline.

East Coast

On the East Coast, transit time is a month or 30 days. There are 11 ports on the East Coast. 

• New York 
• Savannah
• Houston
• Portland 
• New Orleans
• Miami 
• Baltimore 
• Charleston
• Jacksonville 
• Norfolk
• Wilmington

East Post is relatively farther from the West Coast, so shipments take longer to arrive. Many have to pass through the Panama Canal or around South America, further adding days to the timeline.

Shipping from China to the West Coast or East Coast can be affected by high traffic. The West Coast usually has high traffic compared to the East Coast.

Ocean Freight Time from China to the US

The ocean freight timeline is not done in a single step. Several stages affect the overall time for shipment.

Here’s an overview of the whole process:

• The shipment takes about 2 days to travel from the Chinese supplier to the freight forwarder’s warehouse. (The distance is also significant in deciding the timeline.)
• The next step is loading and shipping, which takes 1-2 days. The goods are taken from the freight forwarder’s warehouse and prepared for shipment, which means they must be loaded onto the truck for delivery to the port.
• Once at the port, customs clearance takes about 2 more days.
• The next step is ocean transit, which can take anywhere from 15 to 30 days, depending on the type of Port you are taking the goods to. 
• Custom clearance is the next stage, which takes 1 to 2 days, depending on the inspection documentation, check taxes and duties, and other complexities.
• The goods are then taken from the port to their final destination, which can take 1-3 days. 

Here’s an overview of the shipping timelines from different Chinese ports to US ports.

LCL Shipping

bulk cargo	Departure	Arrival	Average transportation time
LCL	Guangzhou	Los Angeles	26 days
LCL	Guangzhou	Miami	38 days
LCL	Guangzhou	Charleston	40 days
LCL	Jiangmen	Charleston	42 days
LCL	Jiangmen	Los Angeles	27 days
LCL	Jiangmen	Miami	44 days
LCL	Ningbo	Chicago	22 days
LCL	Ningbo	Houston	34 days
LCL	Ningbo	Los Angeles	17 days
LCL	Ningbo	New York	23 days
LCL	Ningbo	Seattle	17 days
LCL	Shanghai	Atlanta	29 days
LCL	Shanghai	Boston	35 days
LCL	Shanghai	Chicago	28 days
LCL	Shanghai	Houston	33 days
LCL	Shanghai	Los Angeles	22 days
LCL	Shanghai	Miami	46 days
LCL	Shanghai	New York	37 days
LCL	Shanghai	Seattle	24 days
LCL	Shenzhen	Charleston	40 days
LCL	Shenzhen	Chicago	30 days
LCL	Shenzhen	Los Angeles	23 days
LCL	Shenzhen	Miami	44 days
LCL	Shenzhen	New York	38 days
LCL	Shenzhen	San Francisco	25 days
LCL	Qingdao	Atlanta	39 days
LCL	Qingdao	Chicago	25 days
LCL	Qingdao	Houston	37 days
LCL	Qingdao	Los Angeles	24 days
LCL	Qingdao	New York	40 days
LCL	Qingdao	Seattle	20 days
LCL	Tianjin	Houston	20 days
LCL	Tianjin	Miami	43 days
LCL	Tianjin	Seattle	35 days

FCL Shipping

Whole box transportation	Departure	Arrival	Average transportation time
FCL	Guangzhou	New York	40 days
FCL	Ningbo	Chicago	29 days
FCL	Ningbo	Houston	36 days
FCL	Ningbo	Los Angeles	13 days
FCL	Ningbo	New York	35 days
FCL	Ningbo	Seattle	23 days
FCL	Ningbo	Oakland	36 days
FCL	Ningbo	Long Beach	36 days
FCL	Ningbo	Norfolk, Savannah	36 days
FCL	Ningbo	Baltimore	36 days
FCL	Shanghai	Atlanta	34 days
FCL	Shanghai	Boston	37 days
FCL	Shanghai	Charleston	37 days
FCL	Shanghai	Chicago	37 days
FCL	Shanghai	Houston	39 days
FCL	Shanghai	Los Angeles	22 days
FCL	Shanghai	Miami	38 days
FCL	Shanghai	Baltimore	36 days
FCL	Shanghai	Savannah	29 days
FCL	Shanghai	Long Beach	25 days
FCL	Shanghai	Tacoma	36 days
FCL	Shenzhen	Los Angeles	19 days
FCL	Shenzhen	New York	36 days
FCL	Qingdao	Atlanta	35 days
FCL	Qingdao	Chicago	24 days
FCL	Qingdao	Houston	36 days
FCL	Qingdao	New York	36 days
FCL	Tianjin	Seattle	36 days

Air Freight Time from China to the US

Shipping goods from China to the USA depends on many factors, such as the weight of the shipment, the delivery timeline, and your budget. Here are two options for air freight.

Booking through an airline agent

It usually takes 1 to 2 weeks, translating to 5 to 7 days to the East Coast and 7 to 10 days to the West Coast. If the flight has a layover, it can take longer, depending on the route and layover time.

Air transportation service is the best for shipments over 500 kg as it is cost-effective due to the bulk nature of the goods. You get reasonable rates and a direct service with little to no layovers.

However, you must book it 15 days before the shipment, so it’s not ideal for urgent deliveries. 

Booking through a freight forwarder

For shipments less than 500 kg, a freight forwarder can give you the best AIR Price and service.

They can easily consolidate your small shipments with their other large goods, which makes the overall freight reasonable.

Compared with Airline Agent, the booking and arrangement of freight forwarders are more flexible, but the price per kilogram will be higher than the price you pay for booking with an air freight agent.

The advantage is that you don’t need to book 15 days in advance, and there is no limit on the size of the goods.

Air Freight Timeline

Air freight usually takes 2 days to load and clear, during which time the Chinese customs check the documentation and goods’ compliance with regulations.

• Flight time from China to the USA takes 3 days, depending on the destination port.
• USA customs clearance takes 2 days, during which goods are checked for applicable tax duties and other discrepancies.
• Inland transportation to the warehouse takes another 1-3 days.

So, the total estimated timeline is around 8-10 days.

Departure	Arrive	Door to door time
Hongkong	LA	5-13 days
China	USA	6-13 days
Guangzhou	LAX/JFK	5-12 days

Express Delivery Time from China to the USA

Different international courier companies offer different prices and services in China. We have services like SF Express, Postal Service, UPS, DHL, and FedEx.

SF Express
SF Express delivers in 3-7 days and offers competitive rates. Their rates are lower than those of DHL and FedEx, but they can vary depending on the weight, size, and service level opted for.

China Postal Service
China Postal Service delivers within 7-15 days and offers international express service via EMS or mail.

It’s slower than other private courier companies, and delivery time depends on the customs processing and destination port. Also, the pricing is lower than UPS, DHL, and FedEx.

UPS
UPS takes 2-5 days, and the price is competitive with DHL and FedEx. So you need to balance out the cost and speed according to your shipment.

That’s it! Knowing these timelines for shipping goods from China to the USA will help you decide which route to take, which company and shipping method to use, and also make a realistic timeline.

At langxufreight, we offer customized plans and comprehensive logistics services to give you the best rates for growing your business. Contact us for a free quote today, and let us handle all your shipping needs from China to the USA.