Importing and shipping from china to usa

Importing from China to the USA

Importing products from China to the US is nothing new. In fact, over the last decade, the volume of cargo making its way from various Chinese seaports and airports across the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans has witnessed a massive increase. Products such as shoes, bags, clothing, electronics, furniture, industrial equipment, computer chips, and accessories, among other items, are shipped into North America directly from China.

However, the shipping process is not exactly straightforward, as there are so many regulations and components involved. This is why new shippers looking to delve into the Chinese market may have a hard time navigating the process, and one of the major impediments is the language barrier. Another impediment is custom regulations for those who are not familiar with them, as well as the various fees involved.

Despite these issues, you can still successfully import your chosen items from China by following these steps.

1. Find out more about your rights as an importer

First and foremost, before you do anything, you need to know more about your import rights. Read more about the import regulations put in place by the US customs on cargo coming into China to gain clarity. Also, you need to identify a reliable courier service that will handle the transportation of your cargo. Doing this will save you time and money.

2. Identify your goods of choice

The next step is to identify your goods of choice. With the knowledge you have gained in knowing more about your import rights, you should be able to avoid dealing with banned items. Gather sufficient information about the domestic demand for the product you want to sell and furthermore, make sure you do the necessary costing (purchase and logistics cost and custom clearance) so as to make sure that you can at least make a profit when you eventually sell them in your local market.

We suggest that you deal with products that you are passionate about but one that has unique features that command a high price. Also, the size and weight are also important as this tends to influence shipping costs. So as a beginner, go for items that you can ship in large quantities at the least cost per unit.

3. Make sure you avoid contraband items

This is a very important detail to bear in mind. Importing banned items into the US will lead to outright seizures at the seaport or airport of entry, leading to a loss of all your investment. Besides this, check to see if the item has any regulations or restrictions placed on it. This is because some items may not be on the prohibited list, but some restrictions may be placed on them.

4. Do a detailed goods classification and attach a landing cost to each of them

To classify your goods, consult the 10-digit tariff classification number for each item. By using the classification number and the Certificate of Origin, you should be able to know the amount expected of you as import duty once your items reach the US. Also, watch out for relevant incoterms, the shipping charges by your freight forwarder (XCJD Global Logistics), customs duty, transportation, and other attendant costs.

5. Find a Supplier in China

Now, you need to place an order for the items you plan to deal with. Select a supplier or manufacturer that produces or markets the items you want. Once you have found a reliable supplier, request for a Quote Sheet or Preformat invoice for your purchase. This document will include the value per item, item description, and a harmonized system number along with other necessary information such as the packing dimensions and weight.

6. Arrange for transportation

The kind of transportation you go for will depend on the level of urgency as well as the transport cost you can afford. You may choose to go for air freight, sea freight, or express freight. Whatever the case, make sure that the option you choose is conducive enough for your cargo. If you are shipping in large quantities, you may need to use a full container (FCL), but if not, only a minimum space in a container will suffice (LCL). Much smaller items are transported in parcel form.

Once you have identified a transporter whose freight quote you are happy with, your shipment can be arranged by your freight forwarder.

7. Endeavor to track your cargo

Shipping cargo from China to the US by Sea takes a duration of 14 days to arrive at the West Coast. For the East Coast, it takes about 30 days or more depending on the weather and logistical delays in other ports of discharge (if the carrier is carrying cargo meant for other ports of origin). During the voyage, you can track your cargo from the comfort of your home or office. The Bill of Lading, Commercial invoice, and the packing lists are some documents you can use to track your shipment.

8. Take delivery of your shipment.

When the cargo arrives at the port of origin, make arrangements with your customs broker to clear the items with the United States customs. After inspecting your cargo, you will be charged an import duty, which can be paid on your behalf by your broker (do note that brokers charge a fee for their services). If yours is a door to door service, you can sit back and relax in your home for the items to be delivered to your doorstep.

Import Regulation

As with other countries, there are certain regulations that all importers must adhere to if they want to participate in international trade between the US and China. The import regulations guiding the importation of goods from China are vast, but some of the more important regulations to concern yourself with are discussed below. Your freight forwarder can help you handle these regulations as well as the others involved in the process.

Prohibited goods

These are goods not allowed into the US from China. Products that fall under this list are seized at the port of entry by the US Customs Service.

Licenses

When it comes to the importation and exportation of goods, there are several licenses involved, but the major ones are the import and export licenses. For the purpose of shipping in certain classified goods from China, you may need to hold a special license.

Custom Clearance

All cargo brought into the US from China and from other countries has to be cleared by the Customs, as is the practice in other countries. The customs clearing process involves the inspection of the cargo by custom agents and the ascribing of import duty to the cargo if it meets import requirements.

Note: There are several import regulations involved, but you do not have to bother your head with all of them to save the most important ones. Your freight forwarder and customs broker are qualified enough to help you handle the entire process.

Looking for a Reliable Supplier?

One mistake many newbies make is the belief that they need to make the long trip to China to source for a reliable supplier for their product of choice. This, however, is not the case. From the comfort of your home, you can still source for suppliers in China with your device. Taking a trip to China if you have the time and can afford it isn’t a bad idea, but if you cannot do so, you can still source for suppliers online.

Here are some reliable suppliers of different products

Alibaba: Alibaba is one of the most popular product suppliers on the internet. On their website, you can access thousands of suppliers for varieties of products. In Alibaba, the list of products you can buy is limitless. You also have the benefit of comparing the price of the same item sold by different sellers.
Made-in-China.com: Made in China website is another indigenous website that offers Chinese manufacturers and suppliers a platform to interact with international buyers.
Globalsources: Globalsources is another International online market for made in China goods. You can find domestic products and industrial products for sale on this platform. Tech and personal information effects items are also marketed to potential importers.
Canton Fair: For those who prefer to examine items in person, the Canton Fair is a wonderful opportunity to do a physical search for made in China goods suppliers. If you visit the Canton Fair, you will find so many suppliers offering their items to large and small scale buyers at a low price. Visiting trade fairs is also an added opportunity to get discounts and to discuss logistics and other issues with a preferred supplier.
Hong Kong Fair: Hong Kong is a special administrative region of China, and it also hosts the Hong Kong fair, which is similar to the Canton Fair hosted in mainland China. At this fair, you will also find quite a lot of suppliers showcasing their products up for sale.

Classification of goods

Items are classified based on the HS code for imported and exported cargo. Consulting the HS Code will help you ascertain the regulations placed on the item you wish to import as well as the import duty cost. There are different ways by which items are classified, such as clothes, furniture, toys, industrial machinery, electronics, tech and computer chips and devices, bicycles, led lights, etc. All packages from China must meet US import requirements before they can be cleared at the port of entry. Classification of goods is necessary if:

You are going to apply for an import license
Ascertain if there are importation restrictions whatsoever
You need a certificate of origin
You need to claim an exporter refund
You want to determine if your cargo will attract excise duty
You want to find out if your cargo qualifies for value-added tax

Note: To better classify your cargo, consult the US HS Code to know more.

shipping from china to usa

Find a Freight Forwarder to handle your China to US shipping

One important aspect of China to US importation is the selection of a professional freight forwarding agent to handle your shipment. A freight forwarder is an agent who specializes in the collection of the cargo from the supplier and transporting the said cargo to the final point of transportation. Finding a freight forwarding agent to help you facilitate logistics is vital if you want to get your items safely delivered to a carrier in good condition and on time too.

Some of the best freight forwarders like XCJD Global Logistics can help you lower costs. We can also help you handle the entire shipping process in China.

What is the cost of importing China to the USA?

The cost of importing cargo from China all the way to the US is never static but ever-changing due to several factors. However, do bear in mind that the US Customs imposes a tariff on cargo valued at $800 or more. Cargo worth below $800 is tax-free for all importers except in special circumstances. Besides the tariff regime, which is subject to change, you also need to plan for logistics costs in China and in the US. Also of importance is the amount the Carrier will charge you for the cargo. So in a nutshell, the costs involved are:

The carrier cost
Logistic and transport cost
The cost of the product
Import tax and duties
Custom brokerage cost
Custom Bond
Anti-dumping duties

Customs Broker

A Customs broker is an important agent in the import and export value chain. A customs broker may be an individual or organization licensed by the Customs authorities to assist importers in meeting federal regulations pertaining to import. This broker assists importers in clearing their cargo at the ports for a fee called a brokerage fee. Due to the complexity of the clearing process, shippers rely on their expertise when dealing with customs authorities. Some customs brokers play the roles of freight forwarders as well, but this is not always the case. To expedite the clearing of your goods from the point of entry, you will need to engage the services of a licensed customs broker.

Custom Bond

Also called a Customs Surety Bond, this contract simply guarantees a particular payment obligation to the Customs by an importer. It is issued to serve as a guarantee to the Customs authority that the import taxes and duties on cargo will be paid by the importer.

Anti-Dumping duties

This is a protectionist tariff placed by the government on specific imported items. The purpose of this duty is to protect indigenous producers of the same products from competing with cheaper imports from abroad. The government imposes this duty on items that they think are imported below fair domestic prices.

How to calculate import duty from China to the USA?

Calculating import duty can be done with the aid of a calculator. However, you may not get an accurate figure if you are not conversant with the costing metrics used by the US Customs. But you don’t have to worry since your custom broker will be in a better position to aid your effort in calculating an accurate figure.

shipping from china to us

Shipping from China to the US is best handled by a freight forwarding company specializing in handling shipments between both countries. In the international shipping industry today, XCJD global logistics service company happens to be one of the best in the business. We ensure that cargo belonging to our clients do not get lost in transit but deliver their items to them in good condition. We also do all we can to reduce shipping costs so as not to place too much of a financial burden on shippers who work with us.

At XCJD logistics, we offer the following

Cargo pickup and drop off
Packing and labeling
Warehouse storage services
Cargo inspection
Loading
Custom clearance services
Shipping logistics

You are also at liberty to ship your goods using any of the available shipping methods which are:

Sea freight from China to the USA

You can ship your items using seagoing vessels, also known as carriers. This transportation method is advisable if you ate shipping in large quantities and wish to reduce shipping costs.

Airfreight from China to the USA

Air freight is also another option for shippers who want a faster means of transportation.

Express Shipping from China to the USA

For those who do not have to luxury of time, they can order for an express shipping arrangement, which is the fastest form. Under express shipping, we will take delivery of your parcel from the pickup point and deliver it to a fast courier service for onward transportation to you, usually via air. The Custom clearance process is also expedited to save time.

Door to Door Shipping from China to the USA

This service is indeed, stress-free. Under door to door shipping, you will barely move a muscles besides placing an order for your items. At XCJD global logistics, we will handle the pickup and drop off ad as well as the Custom Clearance process on your behalf. We will also deliver the items to your home in record time.

Sea Freight Shipping from China to the USA

Sea freight shipping is the cheapest form of moving cargo from China to the US. This is so because sea vessels are large and able to carry huge volumes of cargo at once. It also offers shippers the opportunity to spread the cost of shipping on the items per unit. If you plan to use sea freight services, there are two key features you should take note of.

FCL Container Shipping

FCL is meant for shippers who move large cargo at once. Also known as full container load, if you ship under FCL, your cargo will be loaded into a container without the need to share container space with any other cargo belonging to another shipper.

LCL Container Shipping

LCL Container Shipping is meant for shippers hose cargo is not large enough to contain a full container. Under this arrangement, your freight forwarder will lump your items with a cargo belonging to other shippers for onward sorting and differentiation at the final destination. LCL rates are a lot cheaper than FCL because of the little space required. Most often than not, LCL rates are set at prices as low as $30 or $40/ cubic meter.

Note: For more information about current FCL and LCL rates, contact XCJD global logistics for cost-effective prices today.

Main Seaports in China

There are several seaports that handle shipments of cargo from China to the USA, namely:

Shenzhen
Guangzhou
Shanghai
Ningbo
Xiamen
Qingdao
Tianjin

Main Seaports in the USA

The main seaports in the USA that frequently receive cargo from China are:

Port of Los Angeles
Port of Long Beach
Port of New York and New Jersey
Port of Seattle
Port of Virginia
Port of South Carolina
Port of Houston

China to US Shipping rates

Shipping rates are determined based on the weight of the cargo. Although rates change from time to time, hereunder are common shipping rates for many carriers. You can also use a shipping rate calculator to determine the cost of shipping a container based on prevailing rates.

5kg – 10kg ($20-$100)
10kg – 20kg ($100-200)
21kg – 100kg ($200-$500)

Note: Shipping rates ate subject to change, but you can contact XCJD Logistics to provide you with an updated rate for your cargo.

How many days will it take to ship cargo from China to the US?

Generally, it takes between 7-10 days, depending on prevailing factors. In some cases, a larger package weighing 20kg-30kg may take as long as 20 days.

Shipping routes from China to the US

Carriers take different routes when transporting cargo from China to the US. There are basically direct and indirect routes.

Direct routes – the Pacific Ocean to the Western Coast
Indirect routes – The South China Sea crossing the Indian Ocean – cutting through the Middle East through the Suez Canal to the Mediterranean Sea – Onward voyage to the Eastern Coast in the US through the Atlantic Ocean

Carriers use indirect routes when carrying cargo scheduled for other ports of destination in Asia, The Middle East, Africa, and Europe.

Factors affecting Sea Freight

Weather elements
Shipping season
Frequent offloading and reloading of cargo at ports along shipping routes
Cost of crude oil

Air Freight Shipping from China to the US

Cargo can also be flown into the US using powerful cargo plans designed for carrying heavy shipments.

Main Airports in China

The airports in China through which cargo are flown abroad are numerous, but some of them are:

Beijing Capital International Airport
Shanghai Pudong International Airport
Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport
Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport
Shenzhen Bao’an international Airport
Kunming Changshui International Airport
Xi’an Xianyang International Airport
Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport
Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport
Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport

Main Airport in the USA

Dallas Fort Worth International Airport
JFK International Airport
Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport
Los Angeles International Airport
Indianapolis International Airport
Miami International Airport
Chicago O’Hare International Airport
Louisville International Airport
Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport
Memphis International Airport

Cost of Air Freight from China to the US

The weight of the cargo determines the freight cost. In general terms, these are the rates you may have to pay to have your items shipped by air.

1kg – $5
150kg – $750
500kg – $2,500

Note: Shipping rates ate subject to change, but you can contact XCJD Logistics to provide you with an updated rate for your cargo.

How long will shipping by air take?

Under normal circumstances, it will take between 8-10 days to get your items due to the complex clearing processes at the port of origin and the destination port. An express service, however, will take between 2-3 days maximum.

Factors affecting Air Freight

Weather elements
Shipping season
Frequent offloading and reloading of cargo at ports along shipping routes
Cost of crude oil

Other shipping couriers handled by XCJD Logistics

Here are some of our Courier partners through which you can ship your items under an express shipping service within 3 days or less. Using any of their services saves you time due to their speedy processes.

FedEx Shipping
DHL Shipping
UPS Shipping
EMS Shipping
Aliexpress Shipping

To find out about the shipping cost to use any of the above courier services or if you are looking to reduce shipping cost, do contact us at XCJD Global Logistics and let us be of service to you.

Shipping Incoterms

Here are some common shipping incoterms to bear in mind when shipping items from China to the US.

EXWorks

This term of agreement places less responsibility on the seller. Under EXW, all the seller has to do is to deliver the items to a specific location at a particular time. Once the items arrive, the buyer bears responsibility thereon.

FOB

Free On Board entails that the seller arranges for the delivery of the items to the vessel for onward transportation. Once this is done, the buyer assumes full responsibility moving forward.

CFR

Cost and Freight involve the Seller clearing the goods for export and delivering to the vessel. Furthermore, the seller assumes responsibility for freight costs all the way to the port of destination. From that point, the buyer assumes the responsibility of clearing the cargo and logistics arrangement.

CIF

Under a Cost, Insurance and Freight arrangement, the seller bears freight and insurance cost for the cargo, not the buyer.

DDP

Delivered Duty Paid simply means that the selling party will bear the associated cost and risk involved in the delivery of the cargo to the buyer.

Door to door shipping

Under door to door shipping, the cargo is delivered straight to your doorstep.

Amazon FBA Shipping

Under Amazon FBA shipping arrangement, sellers and buyers can take advantage of Amazon’s value chain to ship items to the US. This includes warehousing, sorting, and freight services, amongst others.

Freight Insurance

Shippers are expected by law to purchase insurance cover for their cargo. This insurance cover is meant to indemnify them against risks of potential loss or damage to cargo.

Shipping Documents from China to the US

Here are some of the most important documents involved in international shipping.

Bill of Lading

This is a contractual document between you, the owner of the cargo, and the Carrier. It is issued to you by the carrier acknowledging the receipt of your cargo.

Packing List

This is a mandatory document for ocean shipping. It lists in detail all the relevant information concerning the cargo, such as the size, weight, volume, and value. The packing list is stamped on the boxes carrying the items.

Commercial invoice

This is an invoice that shows proof of sale between the buyer and the seller.

Certificate of Origin

A COO document certifies that a product is wholly manufactured, obtained, and processed in a particular country. This document is a declaration by the exporter that the items are sourced from his business location.

Letter of Credit

This is a binding formal agreement between the seller and the buyer to protect both parties.

Dangerous Goods

According to International Shipping conventions, dangerous goods are goods that pose health and environmental hazards to handlers and the environment if not properly handled. One common item classified under dangerous goods, for instance, is Lithium batteries. Others include industrial fluids, toxins, gases, combustible items, waste, etc.

Shipping Lithium batteries from China to the US

All lithium batteries are classified under hazardous materials, so shipping them into the US requires strict adherence to the standard regulations as regards packing and labeling. The labeling must also prove that the batteries have been certified to be safety compliant.

Reasons for shipping delays from China to the US

There are several factors that may delay your shipments. Some of them include:

Bad weather
Issues with custom clearance at the port
Vessel failing to drop cargo off at the designated port during cut off times
Holidays
Limited or no space in the vessel

Why choose XCJD Global Services?

A truly professional service
Efficient customer support at all times
Peace of mind is guaranteed
100% assurance that your cargo will arrive in good condition
Payless for more value
30days free warehouse