Freight Forwarder Insights
Huin International Logistics Latest Articles
Freight Forwarding from China to the United States
As the two largest economies in the world, China and the United States have a mutually beneficial trade and economic relationship that benefits companies and citizens of both nations. It is important to recognize that this partnership is not a zero-sum game.
Regardless of the ongoing trade war, it is important to note that China is the United States' third largest goods export market, following Canada and Mexico. Additionally, China is the largest trading partner of the USA in terms of imports.
As a prominent freight forwarder catering to clients in the USA, we are pleased to provide this comprehensive guide addressing inquiries regarding shipping from China to the USA. This guide covers various topics such as shipping methods, delivery timelines, associated costs, considerations for selecting the optimal shipping method, and the services offered by a China-based freight forwarder for managing your China-USA shipments.
When shipping between China and the USA, there are two primary methods of transportation: sea freight and air freight.
Sea Freight from China to the USA
Sea freight is widely utilized as the primary method for shipping goods from China to the United States. Approximately 90% of global shipments are transported via sea freight annually.
For non-time-sensitive shipments, sea freight is recommended. Shipping cargo via container ships or bulk cargo ships from China typically takes an average of one month to reach the US.
If your supply chain is operating on a limited shipping budget, choosing sea shipping is the most cost-effective option. This is a key factor in why exporters and importers frequently opt for sea shipping.
It would be advisable to opt for sea shipping if the cargo from China is large and heavy, as air shipping may not be a viable option due to the high costs involved.
Our company offers both FCL (full container load) and LCL (less than container load) shipping services. FCL involves shipping a container filled with goods exclusively for one client, which is cost efficient. On the other hand, LCL involves sharing a container with other clients, resulting in higher costs per unit due to additional work such as warehousing, consolidation, de-consolidation, and paperwork. The transit time for LCL shipments is also longer compared to FCL.
We provide sea shipment services from all major ports in China to the USA, including Shanghai, Ningbo, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Xiamen, Qingdao, Tianjin, and Dalian. In addition to FCL and LCL services, we also specialize in handling large and heavy cargo shipments from China.
Air cargo transportation services from China to the United States.
If you have a substantial budget for shipping from China to the USA and require expedited delivery for your supply chain, air freight is the optimal choice for your business. Despite being more costly than sea freight, air shipping is the quickest method, typically taking 3-7 days from China to the USA depending on the service and route selected.
Air freight is commonly used for time-sensitive shipments such as medical supplies, urgent orders, and perishable goods. These shipments are often high-value products that cannot afford to wait a month for delivery to the United States. Additionally, air freight offers a higher level of security compared to sea freight, with shorter transit times reducing the risk of damage or loss and enabling faster cash flow and turnover.
In summary, air freight provides a fast and secure solution for shipping cargo from China to the US, ideal for receiving goods within 10 days and having a sufficient shipping budget. Please contact us for your next China-USA air shipment.
Tags: