Shipping from Hong Kong to US: The Complete Guide

The truth is, shipping from Hong Kong to US can be a challenging task.

That’s why this guide will make the process simple and straightforward.

It explores all the available shipping options, cost of shipping, effects of incoterms in the shipping process, taxes, and regulations, among other vital aspects.

Keep reading to learn more.

Modes of Shipping Cargo from Hong Kong to USA

You can ship from Hong Kong to the USA via two main shipping modes.

Due the distance between Hong Kong China and the United States of America, you can only use sea or air freight.

Here are the two main modes of transporting or shipping cargo from Hong Kong, China to the USA.

Sea Freight Shipping Mode

Depending on the size of your cargo, you can choose the cheapest mode of shipping from Hong Kong to US.

Due to low cost, you should be willing to wait for a longer period usually days heading into a month or so.

It is a slow means of transport which can carry lots of luggage at once over the sea to the United States.

Air Freight Shipping Mode

You can decide to use a plane to carry your cargo through the air and land in any airport in the United States.

Air freight shipping of cargo is fast and will deliver you cargo within days if not hours on express air freight.

You should, however, prepare to pay more money for air freight since they are quite expensive or costly.

Benefits of Shipping from Hong Kong to the United States

You will engage in shipping from Hong Kong to the USA due to the benefits that come along with it.

Shipping from Hong Kong to the USA takes quite a lot and you will only engage in it due to the benefits.

Here are the main benefits that you will get when shipping from Hong Kong to the US.

Ease of Doing Business

You should consider purchasing your cargo from Hong Kong to the US due to the ease of doing business.

Hong Kong SAR is the 4^th easiest place to conduct business out of 190 countries thus making the process smooth.

Ease of Trading Business

You will also find it simple to trade with the people of Hong Kong who are always willing to sell their products.

Apart from that, Hong Kong has very high compliance levels, fairly lower shipping costs, and speed for conducting business.

Open Market for Business

With the support of the government, you can go through the Hong Kong open market and ship your cargo easily.

You will find numerous companies set up in Hong Kong where you can purchase different types of cargo at low prices.

In addition to that, other benefits of shipping from Hong Kong to the United States are:

• Free movement of different types of cargo, people and capital.
• Simple and low tax regime
• Level playing ground for different types of businesses
• Friendly rule of law from the government
• Independent judiciary as well as protection of the rights of intellectual property

Cost of Shipping from Hong Kong to United States

When shipping from Hong Kong to the USA, you have to pay for the services you receive.

The amount of money you will pay will depend on quite a number of factors which may reduce or increase cost.

In other words, the shipping cost from Hong Jong to the USA will vary depending on different factors.

Cost of Shipping 40 ft. Containers from Hong Kong to USA

Well, among the factors that influence the cost of shipping, is the size of the cargo you intend to ship.

For instance, you may be shipping containers of different sizes full of cargo from Hong Kong to United States.

Among the common sizes of shipping containers that you can fill up with cargo are the 20 ft and the 40 ft shipping containers.

Here is a sample of the cost of shipping a 40 ft container to the USA from Hong Kong.

You should note that Hong Kong has one seaport where the shipping vessels leave to the United States.

Apart from that, the above costs are for shipping cargo from port to port during the peak shipping season.

LCL Shipping Rates from Hong Kong to United States

When using the ocean freight, you can either use the FCL or LCL to ship your cargo to the United States.

You can decide on the less than container load shipping mode which allows you to rent a portion of the container.

In other words, you will be paying for space within a container unit that your cargo will cover.

You will use this type of shipping mode when you have cargo that cannot fit inside a while container.

Here are the charges that you will pay when shipping less than container load to the United States from Hong Kong.

You should note that the cost of shipping covers deliveries of cargo on door-to-door shipping service.

Apart from that, the charges are for 200 kilograms of cargo or 1 cubic meter.

Air Freight Shipping Rates from Hong Kong to the USA

Well, if you need your cargo in record time, you can opt for the air freight mode of shipment.

It is a fast mode of shipping your cargo which will cost you slightly higher amounts than ocean freights.

Here are the main charges of shipping cargo via air ON airplanes from Hing Kong to the USA.

You should note that the above shipping rates are for door-to-door shipping services of 1 cubic meter or 200 kgs.

Cost of Shipping per Kilogram from Hong Kong to the USA

You can make the shipping process simpler to calculate by looking at the cost of shipping per kilogram of cargo.

When shipping via air freights, you can calculate the cost of shipping by weighing your cargo in kilograms.

The cost of shipping your cargo per kilogram via air freight will decrease with an increase in the overall weight.

Here is a table with the chargeable weight when shipping from Hong Kong to the USA.

Express Shipping from Hong Kong to the USA

You can also opt for express shipping of cargo when shipping via air transport from Hong Kong to the USA.

Express shipping is the fastest mode of transporting your cargo from Hong Kong to the USA.

In this case, you will have your cargo on the express shipping plane which departures at a particular time.

The express shipping services use time in shipping cargo from Hong Kong to United States.

Apart from that, you can decide to charter a plane to deliver your cargo from Hong Kong to US.

Cost of Express Shipping from Hong Kong to the United States

Well, since it is the fastest mode of shipping cargo, you will have to dig deeper in your pockets.

In other words, despite being the fastest mode of transport, it is also the most expensive shipping mode.

On express shipping, you will pay 653 US dollars for every 50 kgs of cargo from Hong Kong to United States.

You should also note that the cost of express shipping from Hong Kong reduces as the wight goes beyond 100 kilograms.

Shipping Time from Hong Kong to United States

The period your cargo will take while on transit to the United States will depend on a number of factors.

The main factors that will influence the period of transporting your cargo from Hong Kong are:

Location in the United States

The longer the distance between Hong Kong and your location in the United States, the longer the period.

In other words, your cargo will take longer periods on the road when moving it to further locations in US.

Size of Shipment

There are different sizes of shipments that have different levels of handling which require different handling periods.

Well, the bigger the size of your cargo, the longer the handling period thus increasing the shipment period.

Mode of Transport

There are two main modes of transport for shipping your cargo from Hong Kong to the United States.

Airfreight is the fastest mode of transport and will take a shorter period while sea freight is the slowest.

Shipping Season

During the peak shipping season, handling of your cargo may take longer in comparison to the low season.

In other words, you will receive your cargo in a shorter period during the low season in comparison to high season.

Here is a table with the details on the period it will take to ship cargo from Hong Kong to USA.

Choosing the Cheapest and Fastest Way of Shipping from Hong Kong to the USA

When Shipping from Hong Kong to the USA, there are different modes that you can choose from.

The main modes of shipping that you can choose from Hong Kong to USA are:

• FCL Ocean Freight Shipping Mode
• LCL Ocean Freight Shipping Mode
• Air Freight Shipping Mode
• Express Shipping Mode

FCL Shipping from Hong Kong to United States

FCL shipping is a full container load mode of shipping from Hong Kong to United States.

Here, you will use this type of shipping mode when you have cargo that can fill up a container.

When your cargo can fill up containers, then the cheapest mode of shipping is using the FCL shipping mode.

When shipping FCL, you will pay a flat rate despite the quantity of cargo that you fill inside the container.

LCL Ocean Freight from Hong Kong to the USA

Well, you can choose to use the less than container load shipping mode when your cargo cannot fill a container.

In other words, you will pay for space inside the containers as your cargo will ship alongside other goods.

Here, consolidation of cargo at the point of origin and the port of destination will increase the shipping time.

Apart from that, you will pay for the cargo according to the space you cover or the total weight of the cargo.

Air Freight Shipping from Hong Kong to United States

Generally, shipping cargo through air freight is the most expensive even though you will receive the cargo in record time.

You will use air freight shipping when the cargo is of high value and need it in record time in the United States.

It involves loading your cargo on a plane and receiving it at your destination within a few days.

When you opt for air freight, you can also decide to use the express mode of shipping your cargo.

You will use express shipping mode when you have smaller cargo that you need to transport from Hong Kong.

It will make a lot of economic sense if the cargo is of high value and will fetch you good profits.

Most air freights involve shipping the cargo through door-to-door shipping services.

Cheapest Times for Shipping from Hong Kong to the USA

You must also understand that shipping from Hong Kong to US via air or sea freight depends on the season.

In other words, there are periods of the year when shipping from Hong Kong to USA is very cheap.

On the other hand, there are periods when shipping from Hong Kong to USA is quite costly.

Implying that you have to consider the high seasons in both Hong Kong and USA.

For instance, during the fall season, you have the holiday shopping season which is a peak season.

During this time, the prices of shipping from Hong Kong to United States is high due to preparation for holiday shopping.

You must prepare to ship your cargo in advance before the peak season arrives thus making the process cheaper.

How Incoterms Affect Shipping Cost from Hong Kong to United States

You may need the services of a freight forwarder to ship your cargo from Hong Kong to the United States.

Well, during the shipping process, there are different levels of services that the freight forwarder can offer.

In this case, you will choose an incoterm which will dictate the services that you will receive from the freight forwarder.

There are different types of incoterms that attract different prices depending on the services you receive.

In other words, the incoterms will determine the amount of money you will pay for shipping your cargo.

Incoterms to Use When Shipping from Hong Kong to United States

Incoterms are the terms that will dictate the responsibilities of every player in the shipping of cargo from Hong Kong.

There are different types of incoterms that you will use in shipping cargo from Hong Kong to United States.

Your choice of incoterm will depend on the mode of transport thus grouping them under two main categories.

Here are the main types of incoterms for shipping from Hong Kong to United States.

Incoterms for Any Mode of Transport

You will use these incoterms when shipping cargo from Hong Kong to United States through any mode of transport.

Here is a list of the incoterms that you will use in either the air or ocean mode of transport.

i. EXW – Ex Works Incoterms

You will agree with the freight forwarder to deliver the cargo and leave them inside the delivery place.

After that, you will proceed with every other shipping procedure as you seem fit for your cargo.

ii. FCA – Free Carrier

Here, you will agree with the freight forwarder to deliver the cargo at a location that both of you will agree.

After that, you will pay for every shipment detail or cost that will see the goods all the way to final destination.

iii. CPT – Carriage Paid to

In this case, the seller will deliver the cargo to the carriage and cease responsibility for the cargo after the delivery.

Your seller will pay for any form of requirement on shipping the cargo from the factory to the carrier of the cargo.

iv. CIP – Carriage and Insurance Paid To

Here, the seller of your goods will deliver the cargo to your carrier and then pay for the cost of insurance.

You will pay for the other charges excluding the cost of insurance for shipping the cargo to the United States.

v. DAP – Delivered at Place

Your seller will have more responsibilities and will deliver the goods at the port after paying and clearing for export.

After that, you will take full responsibility for the cargo transport all the way to the final destination.

vi. DPU – Delivered at Place Unloaded

Here, your seller will pay for the delivery of the cargo all the way to the port and will not take care of unloading cargo.

You will take care of unloading the cargo and every other cost that involves the shipment of the cargo.

vii. DDP – Delivered Duty Paid

Your seller will deliver the cargo and pay for the taxes or duties for shipping the cargo to your destination.

Other than that, your seller will cease responsibility of the cargo and transfer them back to you.

Custom Taxes and Duties to Pay When Shipping from Hong Kong to United States

The cost of customs duty that you will pay when shipping from Hong Kong to United States will vary.

The variation in cost will depend on a number of significant factors such as type of cargo and size.

You must research on the customs duties that you will pay for different cargo to avoid surprises.

Process of Customs Inspection from Hong Kong to US

As soon as you complete the process of paying for the goods, you will deliver the goods for customs inspection.

Here are the main steps that your goods will go through during the customs inspection process.

1. Arrival of the Cargo

You will transport the cargo through different means all the way to the customs office.

After that, you will unload it in the most strategic place according to the instructions of the customs officials.

2. Checking Paper Work

With the cargo in the hands of the customs officials, you will present all the documents that you have.

Here, the customs officials will make sure that all the documents for the cargo are in the right order.

3. Inspection of the Cargo

As soon as the documents are clear, customs officials will proceed with the inspection process of the cargo.

In this case, they will confirm if your cargo is legal and are not on the list of the prohibited cargo.

4. Calculating Duty

The customs officials attending to your cargo will clear the cargo and proceed to calculate the cost of taxes.

He or she will use the results from the inspection to calculate how much duty you will pay for the cargo.

In completion of the payment, you will receive clearance for the cargo to proceed for transport.

Significance of Insurance Policy When Shipping Cargo from Hong Kong to the USA

When shipping cargo from Hong Kong to the USA, you ought to ensure your cargo.

There are plenty of insurance companies who are ready to ensure your cargo for transport.

It is important to ensure your cargo when shipping from Hong Kong to the USA to carter for damages.

There are cases when the cargo may be lost or get damaged during the shipping process.

You will not have to worry about it in case you have a good cargo insurance policy for your cargo.

Documents for Shipping from Hong Kong to the United States

During the customs inspection of your cargo, you will have to present certain documents.

The main documents that you will present to your custom officials include:

• Commercial Invoice
• Bill of Lading
• Shipping Quote
• Commercial Invoice
• Certificate of Origin
• Material Safety Data Sheet
• Shipper’s Letter of Instruction
• Booking Confirmation
• Bill of Lading/Air Waybill
• Packing List
• Letter of Credit

Shipping from Hong Kong to Amazon FBA in the United States

You can also use Amazon FBA warehouses in the United States to store your cargo from Hong Kong.

Here are the main steps that you will follow when shipping from Hong Kong to Amazon FBA.

Listing on Amazon Seller Central

You will begin with the listing of the cargo on Amazon seller central.

It involves a procedure that is quite simple to follow as the software or website will guide you.

During this process, you will also contact your supplier in China and negotiate on the goods that you want.

After securing the cargo, you will inform Amazon FBA to prepare for the reception of the cargo from Hong Kong.

Shipping the cargo to Amazon FBA

You will proceed with the shipping process of the cargo using a freight forwarder.

Depending on the agreement, the freight forwarder will ensure that the cargo arrives safe and sound.

Amazon FBA will receive the goods for storage and subsequent supply to the relevant person after-sales.

Main Shipping Ports in Hong Kong

Well, in Hong Kong, there is one major shipping port where all the cargo departure for the United States.

The name of the port is Hong Kong Port and has the port code of HKHKG.

It is the main seaport that will deliver the cargo all the way to different destinations in the United States.

Main Shipping Ports in the United States

In the United States, there are several ports that can receive the cargo you are shipping from Hong Kong.

You should consider using the port that is closer to the final destination to make work easier.

Here are the main ports in the United States which will receive the cargo from Hong Kong.

• Los Angeles Port with a port code of USLAX
• New York Port with a port code of USNYC
• Port of Houston with a port code of USHOU

Tips for Reducing Cost of Shipping from Hong Kong to United States

When shipping from Hong Kong to the United States, there are numerous tips you can use in price reduction.

Here are the main tips that you can follow to help in reducing the rate of shipping from Hong Kong to the United States.

Book Your Shipment in Advance

You should consider using the cheapest mode of transport which is ocean freight even though it is slow.

It is important to make advance bookings when shipping from Hong Kong to save money and accommodate delays.

Ship off-Peak

You should also look at the shipping period when the shippers are not busy with a lot of cargo.

During such periods, you will get better services for your cargo and also save a lot of money.

Get All Documents in Order

You must also have all your documents in place in order to avoid having fines for missing documents.

Apart from that, having your documents in order will also save you a lot of time during the customs process.

Know the Cargo HS Codes

You must also know the classification codes of the goods you intend to import from Hong Kong to the United States.

With proper research, you will have all the information that you need about the HS codes and costs.

Compare Different Service Providers

You must also direct your research to find out the different service providers and costs that they provide.

On that case, you should settle on a service provider who will offer you the best services at the most affordable costs.

Understand the Quote Requirements

You must also sit down with your freight forwarder and agree on every detail that will appear on the quote.

He or she must explain to you all the cost details to avoid any form of confusion or ill preparations.

Best Time of the Month to Book Shipment of Cargo from Hong Kong to the USA

There are situations when carriers increase the rate of shipping from Hong Kong, China to the USA.

You will realize that the prices usually increase at the beginning of the month due to General Rate Increases.

As time progresses, you will receive lower rates as the shippers try to fill spaces within the vessels.

Implying that, you should consider booking your freight towards the end of the month to get lower prices.

HS Codes for Shipping from Hong Kong to the United States

You need to classify your cargo according to the HS codes so as to know the category it belongs to.

HS Codes are 8-digit codes that will help in identifying the category where the goods belong.

With this information, you are in a better position to know the customs duty for particular types of cargo.

You can use different search engine software such as the census and statistic department in Hong Kong.

Airports in Hong Kong for Shipping to the United States

When shipping to the United States from Hong Kong, you will have to use the airports in Hong Kong.

The main airport for shipping cargo from Hong Kong to the United States is the Hong Kong International Airport.

Airports in the United States for Receiving Cargo from Hong Kong

In USA, you can receive your cargo from Hong Kong at various airports.

In this case too, you must look for the closest airport to your location for the purpose of shipping.

Here are the main airports in USA for receiving cargo.

• Memphis International Airport in Memphis Tennessee
• Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport in Anchorage Alaska
• Louisville International Airport in Louisville Kentucky
• Los Angeles International Airport in Las Angeles California
• Miami International Airport in Miami Florida
• Chicago O’Hare International Airport in Chicago Illinois
• John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City, New York
• Indianapolis International Airport in Indianapolis, Indiana
• Cincinnati/North Kentucky International Airport (CVG) in Cincinnati, Ohio
• Dallas/Ft Worth International Airport (DFW) in Dallas, Texas

Courier Shipping from Hong Kong to USA

One of the most efficient modes of shipping that you can use is courier service shipping from Hong Kong to United States.

In this case, you will have to make arrangements with your courier service provider of choice to transport the cargo.

This process involves linking the courier service provider with the cargo supplier in Hong Kong.

Your courier service provider will pick the cargo from the supplier and ship it to your door step in USA.

Here are the main courier service providers who can help you with the shipping process.

• FedEx Courier Services delivering cargo in 3.1 days
• DHL Express Courier Services delivering cargo in 3.3 days
• DHL Hong Kong Courier Services delivering cargo in 7.3 days
• Hong Kong Post Courier Services delivering the cargo in 13.5 days
• UPS Courier Services delivering cargo within 15.6 days
• Orange Connex Courier Services delivering cargo in 18.9 days
• SF International Small Packets delivering in 20.5 days
• SpeedPAK Courier Services delivering cargo in 21.3 days
• DHL Ecommerce Courier Services delivering cargo in 22.9 days

How to Calculate Shipping Cost from Hong Kong to the USA

When shipping cargo from Hong Kong to the USA, there are numerous factors to consider.

Implying that, you will pay different costs depending on the choice of shipping you settle on.

Apart from that, there are other factors that you will need for a successful shipment.

Here are the main details you need to calculate the cost of shipping from Hong Kong to USA.

• Origin of the cargo which is Hong Kong
• Destination of the Cargo which is a city in the United States of America
• Weight of the goods in Kilograms

FDA Regulated Products when Shipping from Hong Kong to USA

You should al