Container Shipping Costs from China to the USA

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Container Shipping Costs

There are numerous important factors to consider when determining the cost:

Shipping (FCL or LCL): FCL allows you to buy the full container, which might be 20 or 40 feet long. With LCL, your cargo will be mixed with other items in the same container, and you pay according to the volume occupied. FCL is advised for cargo volumes of 15 CBM or above, whereas LCL should be used for cargo amounts under 15 CBM.
20 or 40-foot containers: On average, a 40-foot container costs 20-25% more. The size of your goods will determine whether you should use a 20- or 40-foot container. The volume of a 20-foot container is 33 CBM, but the volume of a 40-foot container is 79 CBM.
The USA's east or west coast: Of course, a major determinant of cost is the delivery distance. As a result, the average cost of shipping to the East Coast is 40% higher for LCL and 24–30% higher for FCL.
Extra costs: Keep in mind that in addition to the charges of ocean freight, you will also have to pay for a number of other expenditures, which often make up 13-25% of the total cost of shipping a container. These prices include last-mile delivery, customs brokerage, origin and destination fees, and insurance.

Do you plan any shipments from China to USA?

Cost from China to the West Coast of the USA (Example: Shanghai to Los Angeles)

Type of Container	Shipping Cost	Total Cost	Delivery Time
FCL 40 Ft	From $4663	From $5830	15+ Days
FCL 20 Ft	From $3452	From $4227	15+ Days

Type of Container	Cargo volume (3-5 CBM)	Cargo volume (5-10CBM)
LCL	From $132 / 1 CBM	From $108 / 1 CBM

Cost from China to the Coast of the USA (Example: Shanghai to New York)

Type of Container	Shipping Cost	Total Cost	Delivery Time
FCL 40 Ft	From $6170	From $6944	30+ Days
FCL 20 Ft	From $5008	From $5730	30+ Days

Type of Container	Cargo volume (3-5 CBM)	Cargo volume (5-10CBM)
LCL	From $220 / 1 CBM	From $131 / 1 CBM

China to USAContainer Shipping Calculator

Table of content

1. The Average Shipping Cost of a Container from China to the USA

1.1 Cost from China to the Coast of the USA (Example: Shanghai to Los Angeles)

1.2 Cost from China to the Coast of the USA (Example: Shanghai to New York)

2. China to USA Container Shipping Calculator

3. Key Factors Influencing the Shipping Cost from China to the USA

4. Delivery from China to the East Coast or the West Coast of the USA

5. Shipping Cost of the 20 ft and 40 ft Containers from China to the USA

6. Specialized Containers for Shipping Goods from China to the USA

7. Cargo | Types, Container Requirements, and Shipping Rate from China to the USA

8. Shipping Rates of FCL and LCL Containers from China to the USA

9. Shipping Rate of the Cargo from China to the USA as per the Volume and Weight

10. Shipping Rate as per the Distance | Supplier to the Port in China and Port to the Destination in the USA

11. Shipment Rate Dynamics from China to the USA | Demand/Supply, Economic Situation, Oil Prices, Force Majeure

12. Container Carriers and Their Rates for Shipping Cargo from China to the USA

13. Freight Forwarders and Customs Brokers | Their Impact on Shipping Rates from China to the USA

14. Additional Charges Impacting the Shipping Rate from China to the USA

15. Overall Shipping Cost of Cargo from China to the USA

Key Factors Influencing the Shipping Cost from China to the USA

Several factors influence the overall shipping cost from China to the USA.

Coast of the USA: East or West
Size of the Container: 40 ft or 20 ft
Non-Standard Container: Reefer, Open-top, High Cube, Flat-Rack, Tank Containers, Side-Opening Containers, Double-Door Containers
Type of Cargo: Bulk, Hazardous, Personal, Fragile
Type of Loading: FCL, LCL
Volume and Weight of the Cargo
Distance from the sender to the China port, and from the USA port to the final destination
Price dynamics of shipping from China to the USA (supply/demand, economic conditions, oil prices, force majeure)
Carrier prices
Tax and customs policies of China and the USA
Costs of freight forwarders (in China) and customs brokers (in the USA)

Delivery from China to the East Coast or the West Coast of the USA

Shipping from China to the West Coast will undoubtedly be cheaper due to the shorter distance. So, what ports should you use to save money? Always choose ports that are as close as feasible to both the supply and your destination, as the cost of transporting cargo to and from the port of departure can dramatically raise the overall cost. For example, if your supplier is in Shanghai and you are in New York, select the closest ports.
If delivery to the East Coast is substantially closer to your destination, it is preferable to opt for it rather than last-mile delivery, which entails traveling from the port to your final location. Additionally, you ought to pick the port nearest to you.
For FCL shipments, the cost of shipping to the East Coast is typically 24–30% more and for LCL shipments, 40% higher.

Map from China to the US West Coast

Ports of the West Coast of the USA

Map from China to the US East Coast

Shipping Cost of the 20 ft and 40 ft Containers from China to the USA

The shipping cost of a 40 ft container from China to the USA is 20-30 % higher than the shipping cost of a 20 ft container. If the volume is less than or equal to 33 CBM (22 Tons) then choose a 20 ft container; else a 40 ft container.

You have the choice of some High Cube (HC) containers. A 20 ft HC container has a capacity of 67 CBM and a 40 ft HC container has a capacity of 75 CBM. Thus, while shipping goods from China to the USA, you need to check which container size is appropriate for your Cargo, in terms of Price and Volume.

Container 20 Standard

Container 40 Standard

Specialized Containers for Shipping Goods from China to the USA

Reefer (Refrigerated Containers): Used for temperature-controlled cargo (-30°C to +30°C).
Open-Top Containers: Used to ship Vehicles, large construction materials, etc.
High Cube Containers: These are used to ship cargo of higher volume but lesser weight.
Flat Rack: Used for heavy weight and wide cargo items such as heavy machinery, yachts, pipes, etc.
Tank Containers (controlled pressure): Used to ship liquids, gasses, and chemicals.
Side Opening Containers: Helpful for shipping goods that are difficult to load through standard doors.
Double-Door Containers: These have doors at both ends to put the non-standard dimensional cargo easily.

You have to analyze your cargo category and then choose the container. For instance, the temperature-controlled cargo must be put in the Reefer. Similarly, liquids, gasses, or chemicals must be shipped using Tank Containers.

Cargo | Types, Container Requirements, and Shipping Rate from China to the USA

Bulk Cargo
Container: Flat Rack, Open-Top, or Bulk Containers.
Cost: Packaging, Loading/Unloading, and Environmental Protection.
Hazardous Cargo
Container: Tank Containers.
Cost: Regulatory Requirements, Packaging/Labeling, Insurance.
Personal Cargo
Container: Standard 20 ft or 40 ft.
Cost: Small Shipment (LCL), Insurance/Custom Duties, Packaging and Loading.
Fragile Cargo
Container: Standard Containers.
Cost: Packaging, Insurance, Special Transportation Conditions.

Other cost factors such as Custom Duties, Route, and Carrier charges may also apply depending upon the route and coast.

Do you plan any shipments from China to USA?

Shipping Rates of FCL and LCL Containers from China to the USA

FCL (Full Container Load) is for 15 CBM or greater volume and LCL (Less than Container Load) is for less than 15 CBM volume goods.

FCL comprises a full container (either 20 ft or 40 ft). LCL is where your cargo is shared with the other cargo in a container.

While shipping cargo from China to the USA, choose FCL if your Cargo is of a special type or the volume is greater than 15 CBM, else go with LCL.

Shipping Rate of the Cargo from China to the USA as per the Volume and Weight

Volume and Weight are two essential parameters in the overall shipping rate from China to the USA.

If the cargo has less volume but is higher in weight, the cost will be calculated based on the weight. Go for LCL when the cost is based on weight.

If the cargo is lighter weight but has a larger volume then the cost is calculated based on Volume. In such a case, choose FCL.

Cargo Weight	Optimal Shipping Method	Shipping Characteristics
400 Pounds	Express Delivery (UPS, FedEx, TNT, DHL)	Fast and Reliable
400-1200 Pounds	Air Freight	30-40% Cheaper than express delivery for large volumes
Over 1200 Pounds	Sea Freight	The cheapest option for large volumes, but slow

Shipping Rate as per the Distance | Supplier to the Port in China and Port to the Destination in the USA

The shipping rate of a container from China to the USA also depends on the distance between the Port and the Supplier/Destination. The farther the port from the supplier or destination the greater the overall shipping cost from China to the USA.

In China, the transportation cost of a container up to 100 km costs between $100 to $300. For longer distances, the cost may range between $500 to $1,000.

For delivery within 100 km of the Port in the USA, the transportation cost of a container is $300 to $800. For longer distances, the price is $1000 to $3000.

Shipment Rate Dynamics from China to the USA | Demand/Supply, Economic Situation, Oil Prices, Force Majeure

Some non-standard shipment charges may also impact the overall shipping rate from China to the USA such as Demand and Supply, Economic Conditions, Oil/Fuel Prices, Force Majeure Circumstances, Seasonal Fluctuations, and Trade Tariffs and Duties.

The shipping rate from China to the USA increases in the following circumstances:

Demand exceeds supply
Higher fuel prices
Economic growth
Port congestions, worker shortages, or route blockages
Christmas and the Chinese New Year
Increasing tariffs and duties

Container Carriers and Their Rates for Shipping Cargo from China to the USA

List of Major Carrier Providers for Shipping from China to the USA:

Maersk Line
Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC)
CMA CGM Group
COSCO Shipping
Hapag Lloyd
Evergreen Marine
Ocean Network Express (ONE)

Breakdown of Carrier Costs (Expensive vs. Cheaper):
Typically More Expensive Carriers (Known for high reliability, service quality, and broader service coverage):

Maersk Line
Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC)
CMA CGM Group
Hapag Lloyd

Typically Cheaper Carriers: (can offer lower rates, but services may vary based on demand and congestion):

COSCO Shipping
Evergreen Marine
Ocean Network Express (ONE)

Thus, you need to compare the price of container carriers and their features to ship your goods from China to the USA.

Company	Origin	Description	Estimated Price per 40 ft Container (as of 2024)
Maersk Line	Denmark	Largest Company, Higher rates, and best service	$3,000 to $4,500
Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC)	Switzerland	Competitive Pricing and good container availability	$2,500 to $4,000
CMA CGM Group	France	Innovative logistics and sustainable developments	$2,600 to $4,200
COSCO Shipping	China	Direct presence in China	$2,200 to $3,500
Hapag Lloyd	Germany	Reliability and quality	$2,800 to $ 4,300
Evergreen Marine	Taiwan	Competitive rates	$2,400 to $3,800
Ocean Network Express (ONE)	Japan	Reliable shipping	$2,500 to $4,000

Prices fluctuate due to factors such as fuel prices, port congestion, and seasonal demand. For example, shipping rates to the West Coast ports (e.g., Los Angeles) are generally lower than to the East Coast (e.g., New York), given the shorter distance across the Pacific.

Tax and Customs Duties While Shipping 20 ft or 40 ft Containers from China to the USA

Since the trade war began in 2018, the tax and customs duties have impacted the overall shipment cost from China to the USA.

China does offer Value Added Tax (VAT) returns to exporters to promote exports. On the other hand, the USA does not have VAT. Similarly, both importers (in the USA) and exporters (in China) face the Port Charges (last mile, storage fee, etc) in the USA and China.

Freight Forwarders and Customs Brokers | Their Impact on Shipping Rates from China to the USA

Freight Forwarders book the slot of your container in the Ship and sometimes offer last-mile delivery service. Likewise, customs brokers in the USA take care of customs documentation and other customs requirements (clearing customs duties and taxes). For their services, they charge a fee that impacts the overall Shipment Cost from China to the USA.

Regarding freight forwarding services: The cost is determined by the volume of cargo, the difficulty of the trip, and any extra services. For regular exports from China to the USA, the typical fees are between $500 and $1,500 per container. Specialized or larger cargo could be more expensive.

Cost for Customer Brokers: Depending on the intricacy of the cargo and the quantity of work needed, customs broker fees typically range from $100 to $500 per container.

Some external factors such as cargo type, the complexity of the documentation, delivery speed, and shipment volume also increase the forwarder's and brokers' fees.

Additional Charges Impacting the Shipping Rate from China to the USA

The overall shipping cost from China to the USA also includes origin/destination charges, customs brokerage, insurance, and last-mile delivery. For instance, if a cargo worth $100,000 is being shipped from Shanghai (China) to Los Angeles (USA), then its shipping cost breakdown is as follows*:

Freight: $3,000
Origin Charges (supplier to port charges, handling the cargo at China port): $1,000
Destination Charges (terminal and storage handling): $1,500
Customs Brokerage: $300
Insurance: $1,000
Last Mile Delivery: $2,000

Note*: These values are approximate and for reference only. Actual figures may vary significantly from those listed due to factors like cargo size, weight, fuel prices, port fees, and insurance coverage.

Overall Shipping Cost of Cargo from China to the USA

A container passes through various steps when being shipped from China to the USA. Each step has its own rate which adds up to an overall Shipping Cost*.

Step 1: Pre-carriage in China (loading and transporting to the Origin Port): $50–$150 (loading), $200–$500 (transport)
Step 2: Origin charges in China (terminal handling, documentation, and forwarder): $300–$500 (handling), $50–$100 (documentation), $200–$500 (forwarder)
Step 3: Sea freight from China to the USA: $3,000–$6,000
Step 4: Destination charges in the USA (terminal handling and documentation): $400–$600 (handling), $50–$100 (documentation)
Step 5: Customs charges in the USA (duty and broker): 5% duty, $100–$500 broker
Step 6: Insurance (optional): 0.5%–1.5%
Step 7: Last Mile in the USA: $500–$3,000

Note*: These values are approximate and for reference only. Actual figures may vary significantly from those listed depending on factors such as cargo size, port fees, and customs duties.