The time it takes to ship products from China and the US will depend on the shipping method you use, the exact route the ship will take, and if you use a ship, the speed of the ship. Typically, these journeys take two weeks to a month to complete.
In addition to how long it actually takes to cross the ocean, customs, handling, and other processes can also affect the time it takes to ship a shipment from China to the U.S. Preparing for shipping can take up to 33 days, and once the ship arrives in the U.S., the shipment can take up to six days to release.
sea freight
ocean carrier. Shipping time by sea has several factors that we include in our estimated delivery time. These factors include, but are not limited to, customs inspections, weather, delivery trucks, and employment delays. These factors affect the overall shipping time. Below is the estimated length of time for shipping.
Western US LCL: 25-30 business days
US East LCL: 35-40 business days
Western US FCL: 18 business days
East US FCL: 28-30 business days
Sea freight is the cheapest option for bulk shipments. TJ chinafreight provides FCL and LCL cost-effective way of shipping products.
air transport
Usually, it takes 8 to 12 days to ship the goods from China to the US if you use Air + UPS. The shipment will be processed upon arrival in the U.S.
Your agent must clear the shipment from U.S. Customs and then deliver the shipment to the UPS warehouse. From there, UPS will send the items to their final destination. These handlers will add up to the total transit time.
If you want to ship your goods faster, you can use Air Express. Shipping items from China to the US only takes 6-8 business days by air; however, their shipping is much more expensive.
freight cost
China Air Freight
The cost is about $3 per kilo and the most affordable shipping method is standard air. It is the best choice for items weighing between 150kg and 500kg. Very light shipments may be charged for dimensional weight rather than actual weight.
Air freight is the fastest shipping method, although express air freight costs more. Shipping rates also vary widely between freight forwarders and prices change regularly, so be sure to compare.
For larger sizes and pairs, less than container loads, commonly known as LCLs, and ocean shipping may be your cheapest option, so don’t forget to check.
Shipping from China
If your package weighs more than 500kg, ocean shipping is the most affordable shipping method. Ocean freight offers excellent economies of scale. Some companies have started offering premium service, commonly known as expedited freight, which costs more than usual ocean freight.
Ocean freight rates are the same as air freight rates, and freight forwarders do not charge the same rates, so shop around.
Factors that significantly affect the shipping time and cost of each shipping method
When there are potential factors such as festivals in China or the US, the timing and logistics will change dramatically.
Major Chinese holidays such as Lunar New Year, National Day/October 1 and Labor Day usually bring longer holidays, so shipments are usually fully booked in the first few days. As a result, shipping costs have increased due to high demand.
During Chinese festivals, the best thing to do is to arrange the shipment of all your goods before the festivities begin. If you don’t, you may end up with a headache worrying about shipping delays.
The country you’re shipping to and shipping to also affects the time your package takes to ship from China to the United States of America.