Time is money.
When comes to import from China to us or do china to usa shipping, shipping from china to us time must be included in your shipping plan besides the budget.
We can’t make a shipping proper handled if consider the costs only, while ignore the shipping time.
In fact, having a shipping timeframe can not only speed up your order planning but also avoid unnecessary charges.
So how long does shipping take from china to us ?
Let’s get started.
Different shipping methods means different shipping time.
To answer the question of china to usa shipping time,
the first step is to learning basic knowledge of shipping method FCL, LCL, AIR and Courier that available for shipping from China to us.
This can be better for you to understand how the shipping time spended and how to make a good decision to balance the shipping time and cost.
Below is a simple comparison illustration for 4 shipping methods.
Shipping time is a general concept but can be specified.
International shipping is game for getting cargo from one place to another.
Based on this, it can be easily understand 3 parts involved : Origin-Shipping-Destination.
So when comes to shipping from China to US, the corresponding shipping time are consists of 3 parts :
- Export operation time in China
- Transport Time on sea or in air
- Import operation time in US
The shipping game is also complicate.
Many participants involved and lots of factors can effect the shipping time.
But our job is to simplify the shipping.
So now it is time to introduce the shipping time frame of each shipping method.
Keep reading.
Shipping From China to US time by Air
Is air freight a fastest shipping methd ? Yes, but it can’t be as fast as you want.
Some peopley may take it for granted that they can receive the goods the next day by use air shipping when they place the order today.
They may ignore one thing : air freight is just airport to airport service, not door to door.
So it costs time both for export operation at orgin and import operation at destination.
And here is the breakdown of the air shipping time frame from China to US.
| Shipping Time composition | Time Frame Description | Time Needed | Explanation |
| 1. Export Operation Time in China | Picking up from factory to airport | Several Hours to Few Days | Depend on the address |
| Customs Clearance | Within 1 Day | ||
| DOC Processing | Within 1 Day | ||
| Waiting For Flight or Space | 1-7 days | Depend on the shipping capacity | |
| Customs Inspection | 3 days needed | If happen | |
| 2.Airport to Airport Transport Time | Direct Flight to LAX. JFK | 12-24 days | |
| Transit Flight to inland cities | 3-7 days | The second delivery is normally by truck. | |
| 3. Import Operation Time in USA | Customs Clearance | Within 1 Day | |
| DOC Proessing | Within 1 Day | ||
| Scheduled delivery from airport to door | Serveral Hours |
how long does it take for air shipment from china to usa ?
It depends. The average shipping time from china to us by air shipping door to door is 7-10 days.
Shipping Time From China to US By Sea
Vessel moves much more slower than plane as you know. Naturally ocean freight time from China to US is much longer than sea freight.
how long does it take for sea shipping from china to usa ?
FCL container shipping takes about 25-50 days for a door to door shipment from China to the USA. LCL takes 30-60 days
Pretty time-consuming , right ?
You may got a short time from someone else or somewhere, take note the real time in real practice will be more than you expect.
Same as air freight, sea freight is also port to port service. To be exact, FCL is CY-CY ; LCL is CFS-CFS. ( Further reading : shipping abbreviation )
So more complicated procedures, and more factors including distance, route, vessel schedule, season etc will effect the time.
And let’s see how it likes :
| Shipping Time composition | Time Frame Description | Time Needed | Explanation |
| 1. Export Operation Time in China | Loading Container | 1-2 Days before AMS time | |
| AMS | 1-2 Days before CUTOFF Time | Automatic Manifest System | |
| CUTOFF Time | 1-2 Days before ETD ( FCL ) 2-4 Days before ETD ( LCL ) | Closing time of Customs clearance | |
| ETD Time | Weekly Departure | Estimated time of departure | |
| Customs Inspection | 3-7 days needed | If happen | |
| 2.Port to Port Transport Time | China to US West Coast | 13-18 days ( FCL ) 15-21 days ( LCL ) | |
| China to US inland ports | 25-45 days | Depend on the POD and routes | |
| China to US East Coast | 28-35 days ( FCL ) 30-40 days ( LCL ) | ||
| 3. Import Operation Time in USA | Customs Clearance | 5-7 Days | |
| DOC Proessing | |||
| Scheduled delivery from Port to door |
| Shipping Time composition | Time Frame Description | Time Needed | Explanation |
| 1. Export Operation Time in China | Picking up from factory to courier | Several Hours to Few Days | Depend on the address |
| Customs Clearance | Within 1 Day | ||
| DOC Processing | Within 1 Day | ||
| Waiting For Flight or Space | 1-3 days | Depend on the shipping capacity | |
| 2.Airport to Airport Transport Time | China-US | 12-24 days | |
| 3. Import Operation Time in USA | Customs Clearance | 1-2 Days | |
| DOC Proessing | |||
| Scheduled delivery to door |
how long does it take for courier from china to usa ?
It depend on the courier channel. In general, 3- 5 days are needed for door to door delivery.
Conclusion
Now you have understand shipping time spends and varies among different shipping method you use.
Now I would like to hear from you.
If you gonna ship a 20ft container from Xiamen to New York, ETD is Wednesday, when the container must be loaded ?
Or when your 1000 kg air shipment discharged at ORD airport, what’s the deadline to clear Customs and pick up the goods , so to avoid the warehouse charge ?
Either way, just let me know by leaving a comment below.
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