{"id":8703,"date":"2020-06-08T10:27:29","date_gmt":"2020-06-08T02:27:29","guid":{"rendered":"../@p=8703"},"modified":"2020-12-22T06:04:41","modified_gmt":"2020-12-22T06:04:41","slug":"sea-freight-from-china-to-the-usa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"default.htm","title":{"rendered":"Sea Freight from China to the USA"},"content":{"rendered":"
When it comes to shipping from China to the USA<\/a>, sea freight is the best method to export and import goods. However, Full Container Load (FCL), Low Container Load (LCL) options, and low prices are some of the reasons why shipping by sea is a top-notch choice for most businesses today.<\/p>\n For businesses that want to ship from China to the United States, the COVID-19 pandemic has been disruptive, and it has caused delays for both producers and shipping today. Nevertheless, the production of goods in China is back to the norm, but the impact of the pandemic in the US has caused delays in ports and warehouses. Also, travel ban into and within the United States has drastically reduced air freight capacity making price volatile. But China still ships to the US.<\/p>\n In this article, we will take a detailed look at Sea freight from China to the US to help improve your supply chain management.<\/p>\n Part 1: LCL and FCL Ocean Freight From China to the US<\/p>\n Part 2: China Ports of Origin<\/p>\n Part 3: Freight Cost \u2013 Ocean Rates<\/p>\n Part 4: How Long \u2013 Transit Time(Trade Lanes and Transit Times)<\/p>\n Part 5: The Process with China Freight<\/p>\n Part 6: What China Freight can do for you<\/p>\n Conclusion<\/p>\n <\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n When it comes to sea freight from China to the US, the shipping type can be in Full Container Load or Less Container Load. Full container load means that your goods are packed into a full container. When you have a large number of goods, your freight cost per unit would be lesser. It is important to know that FCL cost less and it moves from container yard to the container yard.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n There are three popular container types that her used today Furthermore, the 20\u2019GP can carry weightier goods than voluminous cargoes such as heavy metals, etc. The 40\u2019GP is designated to carry voluminous cargoes and not heavy ones. The 40\u2019GP can carry furniture, heavy motor tyres, etc. Both 40 ft. and 20 ft. containers have different ocean rates. For instance, a 40 ft. container is 1.5 times lesser than 20\u2019 ft. container. Also, the 40\u2019HQ and 40\u2019GP container both have the same price when it comes to cost \u2013roughly more than $100.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Before shipping from China to the US, you must make sure your cargo is protected from the factory to the port warehouse. One common packaging tool that is used to stack cargoes is the pallet. A pallet allows you to fully utilize the space of your container. When shipping, pallets should be packed tightly to your shipping container irrespective of whether you are shipping port-to-port or door-to-door.<\/p>\n Loading a 20 ft. container or 40 ft. container varies depending on the size and type of the pallet that was used. The internal dimensions of a pallet are 19\u2019 4\u201d long x 7\u2019 9\u201d wide x 7\u2019 10\u201d tall (for a 20 ft. container) and 39\u2019 6\u201d long x 7\u2019 9\u201d wide x 7\u2019 10\u201d tall (for a 40 ft. container).<\/p>\n \u2022 Height of the Load: It is highly important to know the height of your cargo after it has been stacked onto the pallets. Knowing the loading height of your pallets the packaging of your goods.<\/p>\n \u2022 Weight of The Load: It is important to take note of the load and the weight limits. Also, the weight of the load weight must be measured for heavy pallet because the weight may decrease the number of pallets used on each container.<\/p>\n \u2022 Space of the container: The pallet arrangement in a 20 ft. or 40 ft. container must utilize the space in 3-dimensions. Additionally, the arrangement should also allow effective loading; at the same time, ensure that there are no damages to the product. Hence, your shipping assistant will help you on how to arrange your pallet.<\/p>\n \u2022 Unloading necessities: Unloading requirements is important when arranging pallets. You need to have your final recipients in mind as they might have difficulties when unloading and loading height may also be a limitation. Ensure you use the best pallet arrangement so that your customer can be able to unload the container.<\/p>\n It takes less than a month or more to complete a sea freight from China to the US. Your cargo may experience lots of loading and unloading routines and stress during shipping. Hence, you must package your shipment very well to ensure the utmost safety. Also ensure your goods are protected from stress, breakages, moisture, and theft.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n It is essential to always take note of the ocean rate before you ship. Always have a clear understanding of the cost involved. Most LCLs are priced per volume of goods and not by weight \u2013 except for heavy goods. To have a clear understanding of ocean rates, you need to check out the insurance and terminal handling charges, customs brokerage, pickup and delivery, routing charges, Customs security surcharges (AMS, ISF), and Container Freight Station.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Shipping by sea begins from port to port. This implies that a standard container rate differs in different ports. <\/p>\n 1. Shanghai Location: Shanghai Municipality, East Coast.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 2. Dalian Location: Liaoning Province, North Coast.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 3. Shenzhen Location: Guangdong Province, South Coast.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 4. Ningbo-Zhoushan Location: Zhejiang Province, East Coast.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 5. Guangzhou Location: Guangdong Province, South Coast<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 6. Hong Kong Location: Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, South Coast.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 7. Qingdao Qingdao is also an important link to strategic countries such as Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and other European countries.<\/p>\n Location: Shangdong Province, East Coast<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 8. Tianjin Location: Tianjin Municipality, North Coast<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 9. Xiamen Location: Fujian Province, South Coast <\/p>\n Ocean rates differ, but they involve base rates and extra charges. Ocean rates do not include customs clearance and port charges. It is necessary to note that international shipments are subjected to fees from the destination such as \u2022 The Rates on Full Container Load \u2022 The Rates on Low Container Load <\/p>\n To-door rates are determined by the HS code, weight, volume, packaging, etc. when it comes to-door rates, it is also necessary to note these charges when importing: insurance, loading port and destination fees, import customs clearance, customs tax, and ocean freight charge.<\/p>\n Furthermore, to-door also implies that destination fees are pre-paid and they all make up the landed cost. You need to know that both the basic shipping costs and products charges aren\u2019t sum-total cost. For instance, a port to port cost does not include all destination costs, which may include customs or inspection, terminal fees, duty and tax, insurance, etc.<\/p>\n Additionally, costs incurred by the destination may differ depending on the country (or destination), or the delivery agent.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n There is a frequent change in freight rates in the shipping industry. There are lots of factors to determine this volatility which includes demand, capacity, market perceptions, and seasonal impact. Except you are constant in shipping a large number of containers, you might not be entitled to a price figure for longer than 2 weeks.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Weekly, there are frequent changes when it comes to having a price quote for your shipment. Occasionally, if your manufacturer can conclude the production 1 or 2 days earlier, it could help save a lot of money. The charge\/rate for a 40 ft. container may increase to more than $1000 in a few weeks. With that in mind, noting the exact date on when your shipment will be ready is very vital to know the precise quote.<\/p>\n Usually, the rates on ocean FCL are effective for up to 2 weeks and expires on the 15th and 30th of every month. LCL rates usually remain valid and expire only at the end of every month.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Natural conditions such as rain, storm, etc., usually affect ocean rates. Ocean rates are usually high during the peak season in China – which is usually in the month before the Chinese new year and the third quarter of every year. During this time, goods made in China are shipped for Halloween or Christmas. Note: Before you ask for the charge for your shipment, ensure you get the shipment information from the manufacturer. The shipment information will include the number of packages involved, the weight and dimension of your package, how many days to produce the goods, and the trade term. The shipment information from the supplier\/manufacturer will also help you on your shipment and your freight quote. With that, you can have a good estimate of your total-landed cost.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Shipping from China to the US takes some days. It can also be calculated based on the Estimated Transit Time. Shipping through the sea out of China occurs on a different schedule and there is only a rough estimate about this. At the moment, ocean freight delays have been reduced and they are more reliable for shipments. Even most electronic companies now make use of ocean freights.<\/p>\n Ocean freights have become a top choice. However, accelerated freights can be able to reduce the transit time depending on the shipping requirements. In most cases, expedited ocean freights compete with air freight transit time. Hence, expedited freights are the best choice when shipping from China to the US. The following is the specific time from the specific port:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Note: When using ocean freights, it highly necessary that you plan your order as early as possible. You should plan your order for 3 months. You can also divide your shipment into two parts: first percentage (small portion) by air freight, the rest by sea.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The importing process in China can be very tasking especially for newbies. However, profits expected from exporting goods from China to the US can be erased by long transit times, the high volatility of delivery cost, regulatory fees, and many more. Here is the process with China freight.<\/p>\n \u2022 Know Your Import Rights \u2022 Choose The Goods You Want to Import It is very important to get more information about the goods that you intend to import. Also, obtain product samples and composition information to enable you to know more about your product. This information is necessary to decide the tariff classification (HS Code). This code will be used to define the rate of duty applied to your goods.<\/p>\n Note: Go with the product you like and passionate about. Also, choose a unique product and you can sell at a high price. Lastly, pick a product that you can ship in very large quantities.<\/p>\n \u2022 Know If the Goods You Want to Import Are Allowed in Your Country You have to ensure the goods you want to import are compliant with your government\u2019s rules and regulations. Importing goods that aren\u2019t compliant will cost you lots of money than normal and may attract fines and penalties. In the end, such goods become confiscated or damaged.<\/p>\n\n
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Part 1: LCL and FCL Ocean Freight from China to the US<\/h2>\n
1.Shipping Type \u2013 FCL\/LCL<\/h4>\n
\nOn the other hand, less container load implies that your goods and goods from other importers are consolidated from the same loading port to the destination port. LCL is from container freight station to container freight station.
\nAdditionally, it is very difficult to track LCL goods – and the lost or misplaced and damaged goods is unlikely to occur with FCL than LCL.<\/p>\n2.Container Type – 20\u2019GP\/40\u2019GP\/40\u2019HQ<\/h4>\n
\n\u2022 20\u2019GP = 20\u2019DV = 20FT = 20\u2032 = 20 feet general purpose
\n\u2022 40\u2019GP = 40\u2019DV = 40FT = 40\u2032 = 40 feet general purpose
\n\u2022 40\u2019HC = 40\u2019HQ = 40 feet high cube
\nGeneral-purpose commonly means Dry Container (DC). Sometimes if fluid goods are packed by a flexible container bag, it can also be delivered by standard DC.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\n40\u2019GP and 20\u2019GP containers have the same maximum load they can carry even though the volume of both is different. 40\u2019GP and 20\u2019GP can carry 27 to 28 tons of goods in China.<\/p>\n3.Packaging<\/h4>\n
\nNevertheless, using a pallet for your cargo solely depends on the market and the manufacturer. With that in mind, here are some factors that determine the number of pallets to use for a container.<\/p>\n4.LCL Rates<\/h4>\n
Part 2: China Ports of Origin and US Ports of Arrival<\/h2>\n
\nChina is among the world\u2019s top ports and more than half of this port is located in the country. Here are China ports of origin.<\/p>\n
\nThis port in China is located at the brink of the Yangtze River delta. This area is also privileged to the most developed vicinities in China. The Shanghai port is made up of shallow water zones on the Huangpu and Yangtze rivers. It is also the main port of origin to import LCL and FCL ocean freight from factories in Jiangsu and Zhejiang.<\/p>\n
\nThe Dalian port is known as the second biggest container transhipment hub in China. This place is also a vital port of origin because it serves a primary export point for the North-eastern region of the country. Even though is the coal port, the container traffic in Dalian has improved since the great creation of the Liaoning Free-Trade Zone.
\nIt is important to know that this port is now making use of the competitive advantage it has when it comes to intermodal transportation to partner with well-meaning officials to increase its railway network from China to Europe.<\/p>\n
\nThis port is the entryway between Hong Kong and the Pearl River Delta. It is also a key port as it also links China\u2019s southern vicinity to the outer world. The Qianhai-Shekou Free-Trade Zone offers better trading links with the markets abroad.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\nNingbo-zhoushan is graced with the best natural conditions and big manufacturing industry. With plans to create a better intermodal transportation network, Ningbo has reached into the locality to west China; thus attracting lots of bigger volume of containers to the port.<\/p>\n
\nThe Guangzhou is situated at the Pearl River Delta. It is important to know this area has played a vital role in China trades over the years. It is also a top international shipping hub. Guangzhou also offers additional origin ports for manufacturers, importers, and sea shippers.<\/p>\n
\nHong Kong is a popular hinterland and it is a trans-shipment hub for cargoes. It is also focused on the exports and imports of goods in China. This area also offers more than 300 container-liner services weekly, and it also connects more than 400 countries globally.
\nHong Kong has lots of prospects in becoming a top international shipment services hub.<\/p>\n
\nThe most important port in Northern China is Qingdao. This port is also an important part of the Bohai Bay port cluster. At the moment, Qingdao is becoming a vital hub for eCommerce in China.<\/p>\n
\nTianjin is one of the biggest ports in China and it trails Qingdao port in the North of China. The shipping activities in the area remains steady and it has developed over the years. Tianjin has also developed its container business, and consolidated the scale of existing routes and international routes so far.<\/p>\n
\nXiamen is situated at the brink of the Jiulongjiang River and it has more than 60 shipping routes to over 50 countries.<\/p>\n
\nUS Ports of Arrival are Long Beach, Seattle, Los Angeles, Charleston, Boston, Tacoma, New York, and Oakland.<\/p>\nPart3: Freight Cost \u2013 Ocean Rates<\/h2>\n
\n\u2022 Destination country customs-related fee \u2013 that is duty and tax
\n\u2022 Destination port or terminal-handling charge \u2013 that is THC
\n\u2022 Destination agent service fee – that is D\/O<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
1. Type<\/h4>\n
\nThe rates of a full container load depend on the destination port and the weight, type, and quantity of the container. For instance, it cost at least $700 more to ship a 40 ft. container from China to Australia.<\/p>\n
\nThe rates of a low container load depend on the destination port, the weight, volume or weight ratio and loading port. For instance, it cost roughly about $65\/cpm to ship 6cbm light container to Canada.<\/p>\n2. To-door rates<\/h4>\n
3. Volatility<\/h4>\n
<\/p>\n
4. Season Conditions<\/h4>\n
\nThe increase in ocean rates during the peak season in China is because there are lots of shipments that await delivery. So, it very needful to plan accordingly because there are lots of shipments during that time.<\/p>\nPart 4: How Long \u2013 Transit Time (Trade Lanes and Transit Times)<\/h2>\n
\nSea freight from China to the US usually takes around 18-40 days for a door-to-door shipment. Ocean freight is a little bit longer; this is because ships move very slow than aeroplanes. Furthermore, more ocean ships now move slower to conserve fuel. For example, the United States Customs demand importers who go by sea freight<\/a> and use single-entry bond make use of an ISF bond. Additionally, port congestion, delays from customs, and bad weather conditions influence ocean freight negatively.<\/p>\n\n
<\/p>\n
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\n Port of Origin in China<\/strong><\/td>\n Destination Port in USA<\/strong><\/td>\n Est. Transit Time<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n\n \n Dalian<\/td>\n Long Beach<\/td>\n 24 Days<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Ningbo<\/td>\n Charleston<\/td>\n 29 Days<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Ningbo<\/td>\n Seattle<\/td>\n 17 Days<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Ningbo<\/td>\n Savannah<\/td>\n 27 Days<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Ningbo<\/td>\n Oakland<\/td>\n 19 Days<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Ningbo<\/td>\n Long Beach<\/td>\n 15 Days<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Ningbo<\/td>\n Los Angeles<\/td>\n 20 Days<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Qingdao<\/td>\n Savannah<\/td>\n 29 Days<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Qingdao<\/td>\n Tacoma<\/td>\n 21 Days<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Qingdao<\/td>\n Oakland<\/td>\n 26 Days<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Qingdao<\/td>\n Long Beach<\/td>\n 19 Days<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Qingdao<\/td>\n Los Angeles<\/td>\n 19 Days<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Shanghai<\/td>\n Charleston<\/td>\n 29 Days<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Shanghai<\/td>\n Los Angeles<\/td>\n 18 Days<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Shanghai<\/td>\n Long Beach<\/td>\n 17 Days<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Shanghai<\/td>\n Savannah<\/td>\n 26 Days<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Shanghai<\/td>\n Oakland<\/td>\n 22 Days<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Shanghai<\/td>\n Seattle<\/td>\n 13 Days<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Shanghai<\/td>\n Boston<\/td>\n 30 Days<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Shanghai<\/td>\n Tacoma<\/td>\n 12 Days<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Xiamen<\/td>\n New York<\/td>\n 28 Days<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n Part 5: The Process with China Freight<\/h2>\n
\nWhen you purchase goods from abroad you become an importer. As an importer, courier services such as DHL<\/a>, UPS, FedEx takes care of delivering your packages to your destination \u2013 if your product is small. This will save you lots of money.
\nBefore you are going to Import from China to USA<\/a>, it is essential to know if you have import rights.
\nNote: There are lots of import regulations that apply to imported goods for commercial purposes. Additionally, only a custom authority can sanction which goods qualify for personal use.<\/p>\n
\nWhen it comes to China freight, you must identify the goods you want to import. Trade companies make lots of profits by choosing the right goods to sell.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\nSome goods aren\u2019t allowed in a country and are prohibited. With that in mind, ensure if the goods you tend to import are allowed in your country and are dependent on any permit, restriction, or regulation.<\/p>\n