Cheapest Shipping From China In 2024

Ever suffered from ABSURDLY expensive shipping costs? Well then, you’re looking at the RIGHT article from the RIGHT company RIGHT now.

We are an experienced shipping company with numerous successful cases in international shipping. Our team spent years finding the best way to ship from China. You’ll find the following in this guide:

• Shipping Methods from China to the US
• Shipping Costs from China to the US
• The CHEAPEST Way to Ship from China

And many other important tips to save money and time while scaling your business RAPID.   

Sit back, read this article (in just 30 minutes), and now get the cheapest shipping from China.

What Shipping Method From China To The US Can You Choose?

There are three ways to ship bulk packages: 

1. Air Express.

It’s the most suitable method for a shipping newbie. You select a courier company and pay for their shipment service. Then, watch Netflix and wait for your package to arrive. 

Benefits:

1. Easy to use, so you have ZERO hassles 
2. Fastest delivery that SAVES your time
3. Online tracking system so that you never gonna lose your precious goods. 

2. Air Freight

Perfect for shipping cargo with a medium weight. If you are shipping more than 100kg, you definitely want to use it.

Benefits:

1. Fast delivery – no more long-neck waiting!
2. Tightly sealed to PROTECT your products
3. Cheaper to SAVE you money

3. Sea / Ocean Freight

You can choose from two types of ocean shipping, FCL (Full Container Load) or LCL (Less than Container Load).

Benefits:

• BEST for massive loads to give you more CONVENIENCE

• The cheapest method to cut costs

What Is the Shipping Cost From China To The US?

• Air freight costs and rates

Let’s talk about express shipping first.

Express shipping is the FASTEST delivery method to get your goods FAST. The quicker the delivery, the more expensive it gets – approximately $5 to $15/kg.

What about standard air freight shipping? Is it pricy too?

No, It’ll be CHEAPER if you ship on a larger scale.

Standard shipments for air freight are between 150 and 500 kg, about $4 to $8/kg. Some may also charge by travel distance, like $3/NM.

Of course, freight costs for both services also vary depending on the product’s dimensional weight.

• Sea freight costs and rates

People easily get scared off by the final air freight cost. But it’s surprisingly different on sea freight. It’s a real UPSIDE DOWN!

Sea freight uses shipping containers, and an FCL shipment is always cheaper than an LCL. It means the more cargo you have, the LESSER you pay!

You’ll be paying approximately $2 to $2.5/kg if you use LCL shipping. In contrast, FCL will be $3,000 to $5,000 per container.

The figure might seem big. But if you break it down, it’s the MOST ECONOMICAL shipping option to save your operation COSTS.

What Is The Cheapest Shipping From China?

Your cost rate may vary depending on the following:

• Type of goods being shipped
• Shipping method
• The dimensional weight of the cargo
• Desired delivery speed

It’s hard to say which is the cheapest as there are lots of considerations to take in. So, let’s imagine.

You’re buying 1000kg chunks (?) of dog food for your hungry, naughty, but cute Lab (Awhh). You buy them from a supplier in China and look for how much it is for shipping to the US.

 Here’s your finding:

• Express air freight: $8-10/kg, total’s about $8000-$10000
• Air Freight: $6-8/kg, total’s about $6000-$8000
• LCL: $2 to $2.5/kg, total’s about $2000-$2500
• FCL: $4000 for an entire container

So, you choose LCL. Because it is the cheapest according to your shipping needs.

There’s really NO absolute standard. It just depends on your requirements. Here’s a simple guideline for your reference.

• Use ePacket if your goods are within 2kg.
• Use express air freight if your goods are 100kg-150kg and you’re in a hurry.
• Use air freight if it’s 150kg-500kg. 
• Use LCL if it’s 1cbm-8cbm.
• Use FCL or LCL if it’s 8cm-15cbm (based on the practical situation).
• Use FCL if it’s over 15cbm
  
  *Note: 1cbm is approximately equal to 1000kg

How To Reduce Shipping Costs From China?

1. Use a local freight forwarder. They help you SAVE MONEY and often get the BEST deal. We’ll cover this in detail below, so stay tuned!
   
2. Fully use the container shipping capacity. The more you stuff, the MORE your money is worth.
   
3. Plan your shipment in advance. The earlier you plan for your shipment, the LOWER the price will be.
   
4. Compare sea or air freight and choose the best shipping method.
   
5. Use the online freight calculator, find the BEST shipping route and NEVER waste a penny on unnecessary routes.
   
6. AVOID shipping sensitive cargo. Shipping chemicals, food, and machinery will COST EXTRA.
   
7. Use express and air freight ONLY WHEN NEEDED. If you must, book early to get CHEAPER deals.
   
8. AVOID shipping during the Chinese holidays. We’ll explain it later in detail.

How Long Does It Take To Ship From China To The US?

There are two types of shipping times, Port to Port or Door to Door.

You get your shipment FASTER using Port-to-Port delivery. You also pay CHEAPER as you don’t rely on a courier service. But, you must handle ALL documentation and pick up the cargo YOURSELF. It is time-consuming and kills your patience, without a doubt. 

It’s much easier using Door-to-Door. You do nothing, and your local freight forwarders will handle everything. But it often takes a little longer and has higher shipping costs. (Well, a small price for nothing to worry about, why not?)

Here is the average shipping time for each shipping way:

Shipping Method	Port-to-Port (days)	Door-to-Door (days)
Air Freight	1-5 days	4-11 days
Sea Freight (LCL)	14-42 days	19-47 days
Sea Freight (FCL)	14-42days	22-50 days

TOO SLOW. Can sea freight go any faster?

YES. There’s another service called expedited ocean freight. Your package will arrive in 14-35 days. It is by far THE BEST as it delivers FAST and CHEAP. But it’s only for LCL ocean freight shipments.

NO, I want my cargo NOW! NOW! NOW!

Relax. You can always choose express shipping options. Your package will arrive in 2-5 days, giving you the FASTEST delivery experience. It’s also ideal for small weighting shipments.

Do keep in mind that delivery time may vary depending on

• Location
• Shipment size
• Current events
• Season

Things To Consider When Shipping From China To The US

1. The Incoterms. 

CHECK and DO your part when shipping or receiving your cargo. There’s STRICTLY NO room for “careless mistake” when it’s come to international law.

2. Maintain a steady cash flow.

You don’t want to stick in an awkward situation where you cancel your order because lacking money. Starting from smaller shipping is better and EASIER.

3. Get samples FIRST. 

Don’t let the low price get ahead of you. Shipping fees are not cheap. Check their quality first so that your money doesn’t go to waste.

4. Ask for quotes. 

And NO, NOT just asking, COMPARE them to find the most suitable courier.

5. Ask for shipping options. 

You might find other shipping options besides those mentioned above. Know these in detail to understand the different costs and better track your cargo.

6. Check your shipping time. 

Are you available to receive it once it arrives? Is the delivery speed fast enough? REMEMBER, avoid shipping during the Chinese holidays so you don’t get delayed delivery.

7. Establish a relationship with your Chinese manufacturer. 

Talk on the phone or send emails to improve your communication efficiency.

8. Cargo insurance. 

INSIST on comprehensive cargo insurance to SAFEGUARD your money and goods. Most carrier liability only covers a small percentage of your loss. Accidents happen, and it doesn’t give a hint.

      (Where’s my cargo??)

Impact Of Chinese Holidays On Shipping From China

As promised, here’s the explanation for avoiding shipping during the Chinese holidays.

Shipping delays happen A LOT. It’s often due to the Chinese holidays. China’s ports may run 365 but not those workers. No one will ship your cargo as they are on holiday.

On top of that, you might get charged more!

You still need to place your goods in their warehouse even though it’s a holiday, right? 

And That’s It! They charge you an EXTRA storage fee. Your forwarder pays for it first, but you pay either way.

Here is a brief list of China’s major holidays:

Holidays	Time	Duration
Chinese New Year	End of Jan to Mid Feb	2 weeks or more
Qing Ming Festival	Early April	3 days
Labor Day	Early May	5 days
Dragon Boat Festival	Early June	3 days
Mid-Autumn Festival	Mid of Sep	3 days
National Day of China	Early Oct	7 days

Wait, there’s MORE!

NEVER forget China’s shopping carnivals. Even local China carriers nearly PARALYZE yearly, not to mention exporting items. It could take them more than 3 MONTHS to fulfill.

Avoid shipping in June, November, and December, when most carnivals are held. 

How To Save Time While Shipping From China To The USA

1. Use express freight.
   
   It’s the FASTEST method that guarantees your products arrive SAFELY. You get 100% SPEED and PROTECTION.
   
2. Use FCL sea freight.
   
   Choose FCL if you’re going to use sea freight. You own the whole container, and there would be no mid-stops to load others’ cargo like LCL. You get your products STRAIGHT to you.
   
3. Avoid Chinese holidays and shopping carnivals.
   
   NEVER. NEVER. AND I MEAN NEVER to ship during this period. If you want your cargo to be stuck at the port forever, meh, it suits you.
   
4. Avoid shipping sensitive cargo.
   
   China and the US are SERIOUS about their export and import policy. Their customs clearance takes FOREVER. Be ready that your cargo might be detained if it’s chemicals, food, and machines.
   
5. Prepare complete documentation.
   
   You can’t pass customs clearance quickly, not with the RIGHT documents. Be prepared and submit all required documents to speed up the shipping process.
   

Important Terms and Abbreviations Commonly Used in International Freight Shipping:

Let’s see the popular terms and abbreviations in international shipping:

• Bill of Lading 

Transporters or carriers issue this document to confirm the goods’ received.

• Certificate of Origin

COO certifies the origin country of the products, declared by qualified parties like producers and manufacturers. 

• CIF (Cost, Insurance, and Freight)

In CIF, sellers will pay costs to ship the goods to the agreed port. Any additional fees or risks after this part is liable by the buyers. 

• Commercial Invoice 

This document lists the product details and amounts and is crucial for custom clearance. 

• Harmonized System

It is a system of names and numbers to categorize the traded goods by different countries.

• Common Incoterms: 

• EXW (Ex Works) is where sellers handle all process until the warehouse. 
• Free Carrier (FCA) is where sellers deliver goods to a decided location. 
• Carriage and Insurance Paid To (CIP) is where sellers handle goods’ insurance during the transit. 

You can find the complete list of these terms in this International Trade Terms. 

Import Duty and Tax Costs From China

Be aware you NEED to pay customs duties and taxes when importing goods from China.

According to Section 301 Tariffs, import duties are applied to almost EVERYTHING imported from China. And can you believe it, they don’t just cost once, the government charge you MULTIPLES.

But FEAR NOT. We’ll keep it simple for you.

First, you are allowed to be exempt from taxes. You’re free to go if the total value of the imported good is less than $800. Otherwise, you need to pay depending on the goods’ type and volume. You’re NOT allowed to receive your goods until payment is made.

Sadly, the US has trade agreements with other countries but not China. No special treatment will be given to imported goods from China to the US.

Fine… But it’s SOOO EXPENSIVE. 

Don’t worry. You can always reduce your import costs by

• Hiring a licensed customs broker,
• Finding the right supplier,
• Negotiating practical shipping terms, and
• Packaging your products efficiently.

Tips For Choosing The Right Freight Forwarder

Finally! It’s the part where we explain why freight forwarders are IMPORTANT.

Choosing a RIGHT freight forwarder will:

• OPTIMIZE your supply chain
• Get you the BEST deal that is below market price
• Ensure your goods are delivered ON TIME
• Make shipping FASTER and EASIER
• Manage your logistics EFFECTIVELY and prepare necessary documents.

There are TOO MANY benefits to tell you. We’re just going to skip to the part on how to choose the RIGHT freight forwarder.

1. Choose an experienced forwarder to make your supply chain SMOOTH and ERROR-FREE.
   
2. Choose a company with a solid network to ensure TIMELY arrivals.
   
3. Choose a company that provides the most shipping services so it’s more CONVENIENT.
   
4. Choose a forwarder with the best customer service to SOLVE your problems INSTANTLY.
   
5. Choose a forwarder that provides multiple networking contracts for FLEXIBLE and CHEAP SHIPPING.
   
6. Choose a forwarder that provides cargo insurance to PREVENT LOSS.
   
7. Choose a forwarder with a freight broker bond to SAVE MONEY.

How To Find The Cheapest Freight Rates?

There’s actually no absolute way of finding the cheapest freight rates. Your shipping price will vary depending on the practical situation.

However, you could follow these guidelines:

1. List your shipping needs
2. Search for a shipping provider that meets your requirements
3. Ask each of them for a quote according to your needs
4. Compare their services and final freight cost
5. Ask if there’s any discount
6. Make your final decision.

But…

You can DEFINITELY choose a 3PL If you don’t have the time to compare every manufacturer and courier.

A 3PL is a third-party logistics provider. It’s a TOTAL GOSPEL for businesses that aren’t able to ship with freight carriers. It SIMPLIFIES and REDUCES your shipping costs.

A 3PL will connects you to carriers at a SIGNIFICANT DISCOUNT via its own networking. It helps you to choose the BEST combination of service and price based on your needs Giving you the PERSONALIZED service.

Conclusion

Shipping from China to all over the word is not as hard as it seems. 

There are many shipping methods and companies to choose from to ensure FAST, SMOOTH, and COST-EFFECTIVE shipment for your every shipping need.

We have listed all the things you could think of for your delivery. So make sure to follow them to have a better shipping experience.

FAQs about Cheapest Shipping From China

What’s Next

That’s it. This is all you have to know for the cheapest shipping from China.

But, do you know?

Shipping with a sourcing agent is actually the BEST and MOST EFFICIENT way. You’ll get a combined service of goods supply and freight shipping. SAVES TIME and EFFORT!

And, Lucky you. 

We’re a freight company with decades of sourcing experience, helping thousands of companies. So don’t hesitate to contact us for your sourcing need!