Shipping from China to the USA
Sea freight from China to the US West Coast usually takes about 14 to 20 days port to port, and 30 to 40 days to the East Coast. Air takes about 3 to 8 days. For ocean shipments you need an Importer Security Filing before the goods are loaded, and commercial shipments over US$2,500 need a formal customs entry and a customs bond.
4 min readUpdated
Key takeaways
- Sea to Los Angeles or Long Beach takes about 14 to 20 days; to New York about 30 to 40.
- Ocean shipments need an Importer Security Filing (ISF) at least 24 hours before loading in China.
- Shipments over US$2,500 need a formal entry and a customs bond, usually through a customs broker.
- Duty rates on Chinese goods have changed a lot since 2018, so check your product's current rate first.
Sea, air or express: which to use
| Mode | Typical time | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Sea freight, full container (FCL) | 14 to 40 days port to port | Orders of roughly 15 cubic metres or more |
| Sea freight, shared container (LCL) | Add about a week for consolidation | Smaller orders that still need sea prices |
| Air freight | 3 to 8 days | Urgent or light, valuable goods |
| Express courier (DHL, FedEx, UPS) | 3 to 5 days door to door | Samples and very small shipments |
Typical sea transit times to US ports
| US port | Typical transit |
|---|---|
| Los Angeles / Long Beach | 14 to 20 days |
| Oakland | 16 to 22 days |
| Seattle / Tacoma | 13 to 18 days |
| Houston | 28 to 35 days |
| Savannah | 30 to 38 days |
| New York / New Jersey | 30 to 40 days |
If your customers are on the East Coast, it can still make sense to land on the West Coast and send the goods across by rail or truck, as this is often faster. Your forwarder can compare both.
Before the goods leave China: the ISF
For sea freight, US Customs and Border Protection requires an Importer Security Filing, often called ISF or "10+2". It has to be filed at least 24 hours before the container is loaded onto the ship in China. Your forwarder or customs broker files it, but they need details from you and the supplier, so get the commercial invoice and packing list sorted early. Late or missing filings can lead to fines.
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US customs clearance
Commercial shipments valued over US$2,500 need a formal entry, which in practice means using a licensed customs broker and having a customs bond. A bond can be bought for a single shipment, or as a yearly continuous bond if you import regularly.
Since 2025, low-value shipments from China no longer qualify for the old US$800 duty-free "de minimis" treatment, so even small parcels can now owe duty. If you're importing for resale, plan on paying duty on everything.
Documents you'll need:
- Commercial invoice with the correct value, description and country of origin.
- Packing list that matches the cartons exactly.
- Bill of lading (sea) or air waybill (air).
- Any certificates or test reports your product needs, for example for children's products or electrical goods.
Duties and tariffs
The duty you pay depends on your product's tariff code (the HTS code) and its country of origin. Many Chinese goods carry extra tariffs on top of the normal rate, and these have changed several times in recent years. Look up your product in the official Harmonized Tariff Schedule and ask your customs broker to confirm the current total before you place the order, so the duty doesn't wipe out your margin.
Shipping to Amazon FBA in the US
Many forwarders deliver straight to Amazon fulfilment centres. To avoid problems at check-in:
- Create the shipment in Seller Central before the goods leave China, so you have the right shipment ID and carton labels.
- Have the factory apply FNSKU product labels and carton labels, and check them in the pre-shipment inspection.
- Stay within Amazon's carton size and weight limits for your category.
- Amazon is not the importer of record, so you need your own customs broker, or a forwarder offering DDP delivery.
Shipping checklist
- 1Confirm the HTS code and the current duty rate for your product.
- 2Decide on sea, air or courier, and on the Incoterm (FOB, CIF or DDP).
- 3Book a customs broker and arrange a customs bond if you don't use DDP.
- 4Send the forwarder the details for the ISF at least a few days before loading.
- 5Inspect the goods before they leave the factory.
- 6Check the commercial invoice and packing list match the cartons.
- 7Track the shipment and have the duty payment ready when it arrives.
We coordinate freight from China with partner forwarders, including DDP delivery to US addresses and Amazon warehouses where available.
Common questions
How long does shipping from China to the USA take?
By sea, about 14 to 20 days to the West Coast and 30 to 40 days to the East Coast, port to port. By air, about 3 to 8 days. Add time for customs and delivery.
Do I need a customs broker?
For commercial shipments over US$2,500, you'll almost always need one, plus a customs bond. On DDP terms, the forwarder's broker handles this for you.
Is there still a duty-free limit for goods from China?
Not in the way there used to be. The US$800 de minimis exemption no longer applies to goods from China, so budget for duty on every shipment.