How To Ship Products From China To USA

Source: DHgate, Tag: Dropshipping

Shipping goods overseas from China is one of the most popular topics we are asked about. Find out how to ship products from China to the USA with ease.

• Shipping products internationally to the USA can be a complex and difficult business. There are many factors that complicate the experience, ranging from different classification systems to negotiations.
  If you are planning on trading with China or anywhere else in the world, it is important to understand the shipping process. This article will give you info on how to ship products from China to USA and everything involved.

• Different Ways of Shipping
  Shopping from China has become incredibly popular over the years. With sites like DHgate, Alibaba, and Aliexpress offering cheap products, it is possible to buy almost anything from China at a very low price. However, many people argue that shipping costs and time can be major drawbacks. These issues can be overcome and we have compiled a list of everything you need to know about how to ship products from China to the USA.
  If you are shipping products from China to the USA, there are a few things that you should know before you begin.
  The first thing to understand about shipping products from anywhere else in the world is that there are many different ways to ship goods. You can use land, sea, or air transport for your products. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages. Ground transportation is usually the most affordable option for smaller shipments that are not time-sensitive. For example, if you were shipping foodstuffs from China to America, ground transportation would be preferable due to its low cost and fast delivery times. However, if your shipment is fragile and needs special handling such as temperature-controlled containers then air freight might be better suited for your needs.
  Choosing which mode of transportation is best for your shipment requires a detailed assessment of various factors like cost, delivery time, security level, handling requirements etcetera. In addition to the above factors, other issues like taxation and customs clearance can also play an important role in deciding whether your product should be shipped by air or sea.
  With all the above factors in mind, the following is a general breakdown of transportation costs:

  • Air Freight

• Commercial air freight is a very fast and secure way to ship goods. It takes approximately 1-3 days to fly cargo from the origin airport in China (FIH) to JFK, ORD, LAX, or SEA on the west coast, and approximately 1-3 days via ocean freight once it arrives at port. The total time taken for shipments via air freight is between 3-5 days.
  However, it can be very expensive, especially for small shipments, as there is no economy of scale. Airfreight rates are charged per kilogram. The cost is usually between $4-$6 per kilogram/pound shipped for regular air freight and $1-$2 for express air freight.
  Costs for air freight shipments are calculated using the measure by which airlines determine their rates – Chargeable Weight. The Chargeable Weight is greater than the Actual Weight (also known as the Gross Weight) and the Volumetric (also known as the dimensional or DIM) Weight.
  Most international airlines have minimum weight restrictions. Therefore, if you are shipping China products that weigh less than 45 kg, your rate will be based on 45kg regardless of what the actual weight is.
  In addition to this chargeable weight, there are charges that are not dependent on weight i.e. they remain the same for a 1 kg shipment or a 100 kg shipment; these are called fixed charges and include:

  • Airport Handling Charges: These fees vary from one airport to another depending on factors like distance from the city centre, customs fees, taxes etcetera.

  • Cargo Security Fee: This fee is charged by airlines to cover their costs of implementing security measures like screening cargo at airports before it can be loaded onto aircraft.

  • Insurance Premium: Airlines insure all shipments against loss, damage, and theft. The cost of this insurance is passed on to the customer in the form of an insurance premium.

  • Fuel Surcharge: The price of fuel varies from airline to airline and also from month to month. To avoid frequent changes in pricing, airlines fix a fuel surcharge that remains valid for a certain period of time.

• Airfreight shipment is the best option for importers who need their goods to be shipped urgently. The average air freight shipment takes anywhere 3-5 days from its origin in China to its destination in the United States. In some instances, it can also take 6 to 12 days.
  There are many factors determining the shipment time. The actual time taken depends on the following factors:

  • The airport of departure and destination in China

  • The airport of departure and destination in the United States

  • The weight of the consignment, as well as its size

  • Whether you are using a nonstop flight or one with a stopover

  • Express Shipping from China to the USA

• Express shipping is the first option that comes up when you want to ship parcels internationally. It is because express shipping offers a fast delivery service with good tracking options. If you ask any expert, they will tell you that express shipping is the fastest mode of transportation. However, it is costlier than other methods. As a result, it is not always used for large cargo shipments.
  Most of the express couriers offer 2-4 days international delivery service and online tracking services within a reasonable price range.
  For example, DHL Express can deliver packages from China to the USA within 2-4 working days at a rate of $35-$45 per kg for parcel weight between 0.5kg-10kg. It offers online tracking and signature upon delivery options too. If you have more than 10kg parcels to ship, it will be much cheaper if you choose sea freight or air freight.
  Apart from DHL Express, you can also choose from can choose from DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or EMS. Most people use DHL or UPS.

  • Sea Freight

• Sea freight is the most popular method used by importers to ship from China to the USA. It is also significantly cheaper than air freight, especially for large shipments (over 1 cubic meter). The downside is that it takes much longer - expect your shipment to take between 35 and 45 days from collection to delivery at your door (though times can vary depending on shipping lines and congestion at ports).
  This method is most suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises, which have a lower budget and more time to spare. The cost of shipping by sea is calculated in cubic meters, How to Calculate the Cubic Meters of a shipment? Just multiply length x width x height in centimeters (CBM = L x W x H) or Cubic Feet by 35.3 = kg.
  Sea freight is divided into 2 main parts: FCL (full container load) and LCL (less than container load).

  • FCL Shipping

• FCL means a full container load, which means you rent the whole container to transport your goods only. It is the ideal choice for large shipments. You can choose between a 20ft or 40ft container to ship your goods. The price for shipping by FCL is much cheaper than with an LCL shipment as fees such as loading fees and other fees are charged per shipment and not per CBM when you use FCL shipping from China to USA service.

  • LCL Shipping

• LCL means Less Container Load, which means you do not have enough cargo that fills up a whole container, then you need to share a container with other importers and consolidate your goods in one container. In this case, we will calculate the LCL rate based on 1cbm = 167kgs. So if your cartons weigh 50kgs each and measure 100cm x 100cm x 100cm, then the total volume of 1 carton would be 0.5cbm therefore 2 cartons would be 1cbm, so you would need to pay for 1cbm at the price of $70/1cbm.
  
  Tips to Reduce the Shipping Cost
  Now that you know how to ship products from China to the USA, how do you ensure that you are spending the least amount of money throughout the process? Well, we have a few tips for you.

  • Book with a good freight forwarder

  • Get your products from the best location

  • Know your product and its shipping classification

  • Combine multiple products in one shipment

  • Keep the packaging small and light

  • Avoid import taxes and duties by declaring the correct HS code

  • Choose the best mode of shipping for your products (air, sea, or express)

• How to find the Best Shipping on DHgate
  If you don’t have the time to learn how to ship products from China, calculate the costs involved, find a shipping company, DHgate can be of great help.
  DHgate is a remarkable site because it offers very low prices. They also provide better shipping options and the ability to negotiate directly with sellers.
  DHgate has a shipping calculator that is much more accurate than the other options. You can estimate shipping cost and time to your country right here: http://www.dhgate.com/shipping-calculator.do?act=calculate. This tool will show you the exact cost of shipping, and which courier is used, so you can compare it to the others.
  They offer EMS, UPS, FedEx, DHL, e-EMS (EMS powered by China Post), SPSR, and a few others. I recommend UPS over EMS because it's only a little bit more expensive but much faster and more reliable. Also, be aware that there are two versions of DHL -- DHL and DHL (Express). DHL (Express) is much faster and more reliable than just DHL - but it's also much more expensive.
  If you're looking for the cheapest option, use e-EMS or SPSR as they are both cheaper than regular EMS/China Post/etc. However, neither of them has good tracking systems so I don't recommend using them unless you want to save a few bucks on small items. They also take a lot longer than other couriers (up to 2 months in some cases).
  Here are the steps to find the right shipping method:

  • Go to the 'shipping' section of DHgate and search for whatever you're looking for (i.e. phone cases, etc.)

  • Once you find something you like, in the shipping section, click on the seller's name

  • Then click on the seller's shop page

  • On the seller's shop page, look down to see their shipping details

  • If they have free shipping, then click on the product in their store and buy it!

  • If not, continue to step 6

  • If they have free shipping but it says 'DHL', change your search to 'free shipping DHL' in the DHgate search bar at the top of the page so that all sellers are showing who offers free DHL shipping (this is better than EMS).

Frequently Asked Questions & Answers
How much does the Shipping Cost?
The cost of shipping a product will depend on several variables. The most important is the size of the shipment, the weight of the shipment, and the mode of transport you select. Airfreight is more expensive but delivers goods much quicker than the ocean freight. A smaller shipment will be cheaper than a larger one, and a lighter shipment will be cheaper than a heavier one.
How long does it Take?
Shipping times vary depending on the mode of transport you select and how far away your destination is from China’s major ports and airports. Airfreight takes around 7 days while ocean freight can take up to 60 days or longer if there are delays in customs or port congestion at any point along the way.
What Documents do I need?
For most shipments, you will need to provide commercial invoices. If your products are made in China, you’ll need an invoice from your supplier and an export certificate for your shipment. From the US side, you’ll need to provide an importer security filing (ISF), which must be completed 24 hours before departure.
How much does it Cost to Send Cargo by Air Freight?
The average air freight rates are around $0.45/kg express and $1/kg economy service (CIF - Cost, Insurance, Freight).
Conclusion
As you can see, shipping is not very difficult if you have a plan. The USA Postal Service and UPS are two of the top carriers that handle international shipping. Both are reliable, thorough, and inexpensive options for your business. In fact, when you ship with the right carrier, you can save up to 70% over the competition. These are just the basics of how to ship products from China to the USA, but it’s important to note that your specific product and its destination will determine which method is best for your shipment’s journey across the pond.