/ By TJ China Freight / Cargo • sea freight forwarder • Shipping • Transport

Tips for Shipping from China to the USA: Incoterm, Ports, Time, Forwarder

Given our many years of experience in the industry, we are confident that you will benefit from our in-depth knowledge of shipping. Here are our 5 essential tips for shipping from China to  USA.

1.. Choosing the right mode of transport

When you are looking for a freight service, you may have a general idea of the mode of transport, which includes sea, air, rail, road and so on.

Although cheaper shipping options exist, there is no such thing as the best way to ship.

Each method has its own conditions of application, advantages and disadvantages

Compare shipping methods first and never go for the cheapest shipping method.

Full container

Container shipping

LCL

Suitable for cargo less than 15 CBM

AIR

A fast delivery method

air freight

COURIER

The most convenient way

courier


  1. Figure out the right shipping terms

The terms of carriage, or Incoterms, are the standard contractual terms that define the responsibilities and obligations of the seller and the buyer.

According to Incoterms 2020, published by the International Chamber of Commerce, there are 11 trade terms in total.

You can check the Incoterms table for details of each term.

Of all the shipping terms, there are 4 that are most commonly used in shipping from China to the USA.

EXW

CIF

FOB

DPU

freight incoterm

How do I choose an Incoterms term?

There is no such thing as the best Incoterms, only the ones that suit you best.

In fact, the role you play in choosing the right Incoterms is very important.

For example.

FOB shipping is the most commonly used term in the world. It applies to most importers importing from China to the USA.

However, if you are buying from a small supplier, EXW may be the only option, especially as you are still responsible for all costs and risks.

If you are a middleman, you certainly won’t want to deal with CIF. Instead, you will need an appointed FOB agent or EXW shipping in order to keep the shipping blind.

To avoid getting involved in shipping hassles, use the DPU terminology. The problem is that you have no control over the shipment and delays occur.

tj china freight - shipping from china to usa

3. Transit time

International shipping is the game of moving goods from one place to another.

Based on this, it is easy to understand the 3 parts involved: Origin-Shipping-Destination.

When sending from China to the USA, the corresponding transit time is made up of 3 parts.

China export operation time

Sea or air freight time

Import operation time to the USA

How long does it take to get from China to the USA by air?

It depends. The average transit time from China to the USA by air is 7-10 days.

The air freight process is more complicated than you might think.

Whether the order is large or small, it requires a lot of work.

Here is a breakdown of the time.

How long does it take to ship by sea from China to the USA?

Door-to-door container shipping from China to the USA takes about 20-50 days. LCL takes 30-70 days.

Sea freight requires a more complex process and more factors including distance, route, ship schedules, season etc. all affect the time.

sea freight shipping time

How long does it take to get a parcel from China?

This depends on the courier channel. Generally speaking, door-to-door delivery takes 3-5 days.

From China to the US, the four popular courier giant companies DHL, FedEx, UPS and TNT are all in use.

express

4. Find a reliable Chinese freight forwarder for us

If you want to successfully ship goods from China to the USA. You need to choose a good China freight forwarder.

A freight forwarder is a transport expert who understands the whole transport process and provides you with freight forwarding services. How can you tell the difference?

It’s a strategy with 7 tips.

Principles Description

  • Legitimacy_ Shipping safety is the first priority

Verify the necessary business licenses or documents

  • Experience_ Of course, you want someone who has a lot of experience in freight forwarding.

It determines the quality of service they will provide.

  • Services_ Freight forwarding involves many areas of service.

When you ship a container to the USA, you must use a freight forwarder who specializes in fcl containers, not air freight, lcl or courier.

  • Sizes_ Freight forwarders also come in different sizes.

Global giants, medium-sized companies and small freight forwarders often have the advantage of different volumes.

  • Price_ 1. Market price.

You don’t have to choose the most expensive price unless your shipment is very urgent and the given proposal can guarantee your time requirements.

  1. Transparency

A complete shipping proposal must list all the necessary charges and mention the prices of inclusions and exclusions.

If you are looking for a reliable freight forwarding company – TJ China freight can meet all your requirements.

 

  1. Ports

There are many ports between China and the USA

Depending on the POL and POD you choose, transport plans and costs can vary considerably.

POLs and PODs must be taken into account when making your transport plan.

So, what is the best port of loading and port of discharge?

Two principles.

Proximity. We usually choose the port closest to the supplier as the port of loading to save inland pick-up costs and the port closest to the delivery location as the port of discharge to reduce delivery costs.

Primary. A basic port means more choices with different sailing schedules, whereas going to a smaller port can cost a lot of money.

/ By TJ China Freight / Cargo • International • Logistic • Shipping

2023 | Things You Should Have Known Earlier About Air Freight

When importers and exporters around the world need to get their goods somewhere quickly and reliably, they use air freight. While 90% of everything is shipped by sea, airfreight can connect the world faster, reducing shipping times from 20-30 days by sea to just three days by air shipping from China to the US.

International air freight and express freight are not the same things.

Express air freight is usually handled by a single company (such as DHL, UPS or FedEx) that manages the entire shipping lifecycle and delivers from door to door within five days. Express air shipments are usually smaller than air shipments (less than one cubic metre and 200 kg). International air freight shipments can be much larger and may cross multiple carriers during transit. In fact, the largest cargo aircraft, the Anatol 225, can accommodate an entire train.

In a typical season, international air freight rates are around US$2.50 to US$5.00 per kilo, depending on the type of cargo you are transporting and the space available. However, since February 2020, costs have risen sharply due to severe disruptions in sea freight and high consumer demand.

What goods are typically shipped by air?

Due to the high cost of air freight rates, it is usually limited to smaller, high-value shipments or time-sensitive items such as

  1. documents and samples. DHL Global Forwarding actually started by air shipping documents by sea to expedite release along the new West Coast-Hawaii ocean route. Airfreight remains the most cost effective way to ship documents.
  2. Electronics. It is well known that Steve Jobs purchased all available airfreight capacity on major routes from Asia to the US in order to ship the first iMac before the holiday season.
  3. Medicine. Medical supplies are frequently flown in due to their small size and high value.
  4. Seasonal shipments. Whatever the product, if there’s high international demand for a product that needs to strengthen the supply chain, it’s often shipped by air. Apparel. Seasonal trends in apparel change quickly. As a result, companies often need to get garments from the factory to the shop as quickly as possible. The small size and high value of garments also make air freight a worthwhile expense.

Benefits of China air freight

Air freight has three main benefits.

  1. Reliability – airfreight offers better tracking and greater certainty that your goods will arrive at the right place at the right time.
  2. Speed – aircraft are approximately 30 times faster than ocean liners. Airliners cruise at 575 mph, while slow-moving ocean liners move at 16-18 mph. This means that air cargo can travel from a factory in China to a warehouse in the USA in just five days. Use this transit time calculator to estimate airfreight transit times based on recent actual shipments.
  3. Protection – goods are more easily damaged when transported by sea than by air. This makes it a good choice for fragile items

When should I not ship by air?

The following are some of the disadvantages of airfreight.

  1. Cost – air freight is expensive compared to sea freight. Comparing air freight to ocean freight, a medium-sized 2,000 lb box from Shenzhen, China to Los Angeles, USA costs US$1,500 by ocean freight, while air freight costs up to US$8,000 or more. However, with the current increase in ocean costs, this difference may be smaller.
  2. Heavy cargo – Since the 1960s, freight has revolved around shipping in containers, which are ideal for transporting large, heavy items. Air freight is priced according to size and weight and can scale prices very quickly.
  3. CO2 emissions – Air freight leads to more emissions. For example, according to a UK government study, transporting 2 tonnes of goods 5,000 kilometres by sea would result in 150 kg of CO2 emissions, compared to 6,605 kg of CO2 emissions by air. Definitely not the most environmentally friendly way to transport.

Air freight rates and charges

The total cost of air freight may currently include, in addition to air freight charges for weight and volume

  1. fuel surcharges
  2. security surcharges
  3. container freight terminal/terminal handling charges
  4. airport transfers

In addition, for door-to-door costs, the price will also include airfreight services, including

  1. customs clearance operations
  2. Pick-up and delivery
  3. Cargo insurance
  4. surcharges

 

If your business is not sure which shipping method is better from or to China, TJ China freight, a leading China freight forwarder will tailor a solution to suit the characteristics of your cargo and your business.

/ By TJ China Freight / Cargo • Delivery • Logistic • Moving • sea freight forwarder • Shipping • Transport

Guide to the Rules for Importing Dangerous Goods From China to the USA | 2023

The transportation of dangerous goods always requires high requirements, after all, its chemical nature is more specific and those who do not understand it can easily fall into danger, therefore the United States has specifically enacted the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act.

  1. The Hazardous Materials Transportation Act (HMTA) has been implemented in order to counteract the risks to survival, property and the surrounding environment.

The US Department of Transportation regulates the entry of dangerous goods. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, hazardous materials destined for the United States or in transit within the United States must be checked for follow-up policies.

– The name of the hazardous material on the consignment note, bill of lading or manifest must be a detailed chemical and technical name, not a generic name.

– Shippers should provide full information on emergency handling of destructive cargo to the US Port Authority in advance through the service, i.e. Dangerous Goods Safety Data Card, or provide emergency handling instructions to the US Department of Transportation.

– The shipper’s emergency telephone number must be stated on the consignment note, bill of lading and manifest. And there must be a person on duty 24 hours a day, regardless of holidays, available to answer enquiries from the US side.

– There are a number of factors that apply to shipping from China to the USA using containers: the maximum weight of a container shipment is 38,000 pounds for 20 feet; the maximum weight for 40 feet is 42,000 pounds. The contents must be well padded and strapped; damaged goods inside need to be marked with visible symptoms and markings. The same applies to the outer surface of the carton.

New York and Los Angeles are ports that export more dangerous goods to the USA. Other towns to visit more often are Chicago and Boston. This is a complex and specialist technique and guidelines or guidance must be followed at every step.

  1. Dangerous goods considerations in road transport

Road transport is inevitable in the whole technique of transporting goods. We all know that it is usually the trucks that carry the goods to their final destination. On this road, there are several key points if you want to ensure the protection of dangerous goods.

  • Loading and unloading. It is important that handlers take care to protect themselves and follow strict handling practices. As I said above, most dangerous goods must be protected from any impact or influence to avoid explosion.
  • Parking. Cars or vehicles carrying dangerous goods are prohibited from being parked in general public places, including colleges and scenic areas.
  • Cleaning. Cars or vans that have been used to transport dangerous goods must be well wiped down and disinfected after unloading.
  • Packaging. Prior to shipment, packaging should be carried out in a safe manner, taking into account the nature of the risk item, the distance to be transported, street conditions, etc. Packaging should be strong and rigid, with clean, standardized, problem-free identifiable markings on the packaging.

It is important to understand the regulations related to the transportation of dangerous goods and to strictly follow the relevant regulations. At the same time, if you hire a good Chinese freight forwarder – tj china freight will get twice the result with half the effort

/ By TJ China Freight / Cargo • China Freight News • Logistic • Shipping

Categories and Definitions of Dangerous Goods in Shipping from China to the USA

For cargo, there are many types of goods shipped from China to the United States, including daily necessities and defensive equipment. Dangerous goods are also included. However, do you really know about dangerous goods? In the following article, we will learn together about this special commodity

Dangerous goods are those goods that are corrosive, herbal, flammable, poisonous or explosive, which have a high risk of causing personal injury or death or harm to the goods during transportation, loading, unloading or storage and require special security. When shipping from China to the USA during transport, we should ensure that the environment of the goods is constant to save you from shaking at some point in the transport and to avoid injury.

Categories and definitions of dangerous goods

Dangerous goods are specifically classified into nine categories according to their nature

Flammable liquids

This cloth is unstable at room temperature and its vapor can mix with air to form explosive combinations.

When transporting flammable liquids we should take care of the best sealed environment to avoid the risk of evaporation of the liquid.

Flammable solids, spontaneously flammable chemicals and wet flammable chemicals

This form of the chemical is one that, while in contact with water or moisture, produces a violent chemical reaction and launches a large number of flammable gases and warm chemicals, some of which no longer want an open flame, which is, it may burn or explode.

This type of product must be transported with care in the vicinity of its storage and in a dry and cool environment.

Compressed or liquefied gases

When these chemicals are subjected to warmth, impact or violent shaking, the stresses in the field can increase dramatically, causing bursts and explosions in the field or causing loose valves and leaks from cylinders, which can lead to fire or poisoning injuries.

When transporting compressed gases and liquids, the pressure vessel in which the product is stored needs to be secured with special shelves to avoid you shaking it. The sealing of the valves in the tank should be checked frequently to avoid injury.

Explosives

These are chemicals that, when exposed to external influences (including temperature, pressure, impact, etc.), undergo a violent chemical reaction and immediately generate large amounts of fuel and heat, causing an unexpected rise in pressure around them, leading to an explosion and causing harm to the surrounding environment. In transport technology, we must ensure that the storage surroundings need to be dry and cool, but also constant to prevent shaking influences.

Corrosive substances

This form of chemical is corrosive. A strong or liquid substance that may burn human tissue and cause damage to gadgets, including metal.

When transporting such items, most are packaged in glass bottles, so we should take care to handle them carefully and secure them effectively and securely.

Oxidising retailers and organic peroxides

This form of hazardous product is a material that is in an excessively oxidised state and is strongly oxidising. It readily decomposes and releases oxygen and heat.

Radioactive substances

Care should be taken to properly seal this type of radioactive hazardous material to ensure that it is protected prior to transport.

Toxic and infectious substances

It can interfere with or disrupt the normal physiological functions of the body, cause temporary or persistent pathological conditions and even endanger lives.

The transport of toxic and hazardous substances must be safely sealed to prevent toxic and hazardous liquids from evaporating and being inhaled.

 Miscellaneous items

This category of dangerous goods refers to magnetic items of a narcotic, toxic or other similar nature that can cause emotional irritation or discomfort to the flight crew, thus affecting the correct execution of the mission and endangering flight safety.

Care must be taken during the transport of such items to demagnetize and seal them.

 

/ By TJ China Freight / China Freight News • International • Logistic • sea freight forwarder

Guides for Shipping to China From USA

Shipping from China to the USA is expensive and consuming for most importing companies. In this blog, we will briefly introduce the main methods of shipping from China, how long will shipping take from China, and the shipping pricing information.

Shipping from China to the USA: Air freight and sea freight. You can choose the most suitable methods according to our sea freight for air freight guide.

Air freight from china can be categorized by 2 types: general cargo and special cargo. The former type refers to physical products like electronics, clothing, furniture, households, and pharmaceuticals alike. The latter means anything that requires special attention or care, like live animals, dangerous chemicals, and things that needs need freezing or maintaining freshness. Shipping by air requires an air waybill (AWB) which is a contract that outlines the conditions of the sale between the seller and buyer. The main advantage of air freight is fast transit time despite a higher rate than sea freight.

Sea freight from China is a more common option of international shipping for importing from China. It is the cheapest shipping method. To calculate the cost of your sea freight delivery, you’ll need the following:

  • Certificate of origin
  • 10-digit tariff classification number
  • Incoterms

You will need to request a freight quote from a shipping logistics company once you are comfortable with the price. This quote will determine the shipping cost from China. You then provide the freight company with your supplier’s contact information, and they’ll handle the shipping container’s journey from China to the USA.

Hire a Freight forwarder from China to the USA

For most enterprises, using a freight forwarder in China will be the most effective method, for a professional forwarder can handle all of the shipping logistic stuff easier and faster. Freight forwarders will use sea or air freight, and have expertise in preparing the necessary documents to carry out the shipment. They may also have access to shipping networks, and knowledge of the best shipping routes from China to the USA. This can speed up the process and make it convenient for small businesses to receive shipments from China.

Besides, it is possible now for freight forwarders to complete door-to-door shipping from China to the USA. It is much more convenient.

How long does shipping from China take?

It depends on the methods you choose. Usually, air freight will short transit time, and ocean freight will take longer up to 40 days. Of course, the quicker you need, and the more you will have to pay. Meantime, the shipping time also is affected by the cargo type, weight, volume, quantity and more. Generally, sea freight is the slowest but most cost-effective shipping method than any other methods.

Cost of shipping from China to USA

How much does shipping from China to USA take? It depends on many factors, too, like weight, shipping methods, cargo insurance, and types, for the details, you can send an inquiry to our expert team to get a better rate.