Shipping from China is an excellent opportunity to get goods at discounted prices. As a seller, you can build your way into seeing substantial revenues. However, not many people understand how the process works and, most importantly, how long shipments take. In this post, we will get into details about how long it takes to get goods.
How long does shipping from China take? Typically, shipping products or cargo from China to different destinations may take days to even a month or more.
Factors to Consider When Selecting a Shipping Method
Usually, shipping time depends on several factors and variables which you must consider:
1. Product and load- Generally, the size and the kind of shipment affect shipping time. Shipments like strong magnets and aerosol cans are challenging to ship by air. Some shipments, like lithium-ion batteries or dry ice, may be shipped by air, but they need detailed suppliers’ documentation. The batteries will usually need specialized transport, and sea freight may be ideal in such cases. Very heavy or large products may be better suited for sea or rail transport and not via air. High-value cargo is mostly safer when shipped via air, which is also a requirement by China’s freight insurance companies. Products less than a cubic meter are also better shipped by air.
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2. Destination- There is end to end shipping services that most logistics companies in China use to deliver shipments to residential locations, warehouses, and commercial buildings. However, you should also know that sometimes it may be more challenging to ship a container to a destination not equipped for unloading. In such a case, you must consider the final destination and how the container will be unloaded for a proper shipping plan. Consequently, Some buyers may consider shipping smaller shipments by air freight, while others may benefit from port deconsolidation services.
3. Timing Needs- It is essential to consider how urgently you need your shipment. If it’s urgent, your best choice is to ship by air. If you don’t mind the time, ocean shipping would be ideal since it is also a cheaper option.
Timing is also crucial during shipments. China’s ports are open throughout the year but not every local carrier works during major holidays, which may delay the shipment. For example, on New Year’s Day, you can expect a delay of one day in the shipment. However, the shipment is delayed for six days and sometimes even longer when it comes to the Chinese New Year.
How long Does Shipping from China take to the USA?
It can take anywhere from 15-40 days based on the mode of transport and the final destination of the shipment.
Air Shipping- Shipping via air is the fastest and most expensive. Express shipping is even faster than Air freight. The former can take 1-5 days, while the latter may take 2-15 days. If your goods are not urgent or highly perishable, air freight will be a better option to save you money.
Ocean/Sea Shipping– Ocean/Sea shipping takes the longest. Ships are slow, and ocean liners have also started traveling slowly to save money and energy. Additionally, there is more preparation done. For example, US customs require any importer using a single data bond with ocean shipping to have an ISF bond. Issues of congested ports and adverse weather conditions also play a role in lengthening the shipping time. You can still get expedited ocean freight services. Ocean/sea shipments may take 15-30 days to arrive. In some scenarios, it can take even more time.
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How Long Does Shipping from China Take to the USA for Small Parcels?
With Express shipping (DHL, FedEx, or UPS), it can take 1-5 days, ePacket shipping can take a week to a month, while a regular post may take a week to three months, depending on the method to be used(Small parcel Air, Small Parcel Surface, or EMS). EMS is the fastest, and it can take 3-15 days.
How Long Does Shipping from China take to the USA for Bulky Goods?
It can take anywhere from 1-40 days based on the mode of transport and the shipment’s final destination. It comes down to how much you are ready to pay and how urgent your cargo or products are.
Freight Rates
Freight costs determine the charges of transporting cargo from one place to another. They are typically calculated depending on the mode of transport, which also calls for checking the weight/volume of the shipment, type of goods in transit, distance to the delivery point, and shipping speed. Seasonality and current events like Covid-19 are also other factors that may impact freight rates.
On average, freight costs from China to the US can be $5-$9 per kilo for Air Express, $4-$10 per kilo for Air Freight, and $3000-$4000 per container for Sea Freight. If you want to get more accurate quotes, use a shipping calculator for each method.
You should note that Air and Sea Freight shipments also come with landed costs. These are costs incurred on transportation. For example, you may need to consider the cost of transportation from the factory to the warehouse, shipping agent, or customs clearance point.
Using FLC vs. LCL
If you use sea freight and ship your goods in a Full Container Load (FCL), you can time for high volumes since there is no repeated loading and unloading. Usually, FCL has a flat rate even if the container is not entirely full. If you use Less than a Container Load (LCL), your goods do not fit in an entire container and will usually be shipped with other pallets or boxes. LCL shipping also requires goods to be consolidated at the port of origin and deconsolidated at the delivery port. Due to that reason, LCL takes a longer time than FCL.
FCL is less complex because of simplified loading, unloading, and clearance. Your goods will also be protected better with FCL. LCL is ideal if you are looking for an inexpensive option and are shipping smaller quantities.
Final Thoughts
So how long does shipping from China take? The need for how long a shipment from China takes will usually be a recipient’s consideration. If the goods are urgent, air freight works best but is also expensive. Sea freight, on the other hand, is cheaper but takes much longer. Transit times are not constant and may change due to acts of nature, market conditions, and other unavoidable issues. To minimize delays and frustrations, it is best to have a defined plan and be flexible.
