Frequently Asked Questions

There is no fixed price for shipping from China to the USA because the cost depends on the shipment itself and the service you choose. The main factors are the shipping method, chargeable weight or cargo volume, pickup location in China, delivery location in the USA, type of goods, and whether you need services such as customs clearance or door-to-door delivery.

For most shipments, express is the fastest option, air freight offers a good balance between cost and transit time, and ocean freight is usually the more economical choice for larger shipments.

If you need an accurate quote, a freight forwarder will normally ask for the product details, total weight, package dimensions, pickup address in China, and delivery ZIP code in the USA.

The cost of a China-to-USA shipment is usually determined by several factors rather than one single rate.

Shipping method is one of the biggest factors. Express, air freight, ocean freight, and specialized logistics services have different pricing structures and transit times.

Weight and volume also matter. For air freight and express shipments, the carrier may calculate the price using chargeable weight, which can be based on either actual weight or dimensional weight. For ocean freight, LCL shipments are generally related to cargo volume, while FCL shipments are quoted according to the container type and route.

Origin and destination can also change the final cost. A shipment picked up in Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Shanghai, or Yiwu may have different inland transportation costs, and delivery to a major US city may cost differently from delivery to a remote area.

Cargo type is another important factor. Batteries, oversized products, fragile goods, dangerous goods, and products requiring special handling may have different shipping requirements.

Finally, the quotation may be affected by customs clearance, duties and taxes, fuel surcharges, destination charges, delivery fees, and other service requirements.

For larger or heavier shipments, ocean freight is usually the most cost-effective option. It generally costs less than air freight or express shipping when the shipment size and transit time allow for ocean transportation.

For smaller shipments, the cheapest option is not always ocean freight. Depending on the weight, volume, delivery deadline, and destination, air freight or a dedicated door-to-door logistics service may provide a better overall value.

The right question is therefore not only "Which method has the lowest freight rate?" but also "Which method gives me the lowest total logistics cost for the delivery I need?"

The cost to ship 100 kg from China to the USA depends heavily on the cargo dimensions, origin, destination, shipping method, and service level.

For example, 100 kg of compact products may have a very different air freight cost from 100 kg of lightweight but bulky products because dimensional weight can affect the chargeable weight.

For this reason, a 100 kg shipment cannot be accurately priced from weight alone. To quote it properly, we normally need the product type, number of cartons, dimensions of each carton, pickup location in China, and delivery ZIP code in the USA.

In many cases, air freight can be more economical than international express for commercial shipments, especially as shipment weight increases. However, the answer depends on the carrier, service level, destination, and whether customs clearance and final delivery are included.

Express shipping is often chosen when speed and simplicity are the priority. Air freight may be a better fit for businesses that need faster transportation than ocean freight but want more control over cost and logistics arrangements.

For B2B shipments, it is usually better to compare the complete door-to-door cost rather than comparing only the transportation rate.

Ocean freight is generally suitable for larger shipments and is often the preferred option when cost is more important than speed.

There are two common choices:

LCL (Less than Container Load) is used when your cargo does not fill an entire container. The shipping cost is generally related to cargo volume, together with origin, destination, handling, and other applicable charges.

FCL (Full Container Load) is used when you have enough cargo for a dedicated container. The quotation is normally based on the container type, such as 20GP or 40GP, as well as the route, schedule, and applicable surcharges.

The total cost of ocean freight should always be checked carefully because the ocean freight itself may not include every origin, destination, customs, or delivery charge.

A shipping quote can include different services depending on the logistics provider and the shipping terms.

Depending on the service, a quotation may include pickup in China, export handling, international transportation, customs clearance, destination handling, and final delivery.

However, not every quotation includes all of these items. Some quotes may exclude duties and taxes, remote-area delivery fees, storage, inspection charges, or other destination-related costs.

Before choosing a logistics provider, ask for a clear breakdown of what is included and what is excluded. A lower headline price is not necessarily a lower final cost.

Not necessarily. Customs clearance depends on the shipping service and the agreed shipping terms.

Some door-to-door logistics services include customs clearance as part of the service, while other freight quotations may only cover the transportation portion.

Businesses should confirm who is responsible for import customs clearance, duties and taxes, and any customs-related documentation before shipment.

This is particularly important for commercial shipments, Amazon FBA shipments, and products subject to additional import requirements.

Transit time depends on the shipping method, origin, destination, carrier schedule, customs clearance, and final delivery arrangements.

Express shipping is generally the fastest option. Air freight is faster than ocean freight and is often used when a business needs a balance between cost and delivery speed.

Ocean freight usually takes longer, but it can be significantly more economical for larger shipments.

Take, for example, our Dezhong Logistics air freight services offering 5-day and 7-day pickup options.

It is important to distinguish between transit time and total door-to-door delivery time. Customs clearance, warehouse handling, inland transportation, and final delivery can all add time to the shipment.

To get an accurate China-to-USA shipping quote, you should normally provide:

Product name and a brief description
Number of cartons or pallets
Total gross weight
Dimensions of each carton or pallet
Pickup location in China
Delivery address or ZIP code in the USA
Preferred shipping method, if you have one
Any special requirements, such as Amazon FBA delivery, customs clearance, residential delivery, or special cargo handling

The more complete the shipment information is, the easier it is for a freight forwarder to recommend a suitable service and provide a realistic quotation.