Shipping from China to USA

Shipping from China to USA
Without a doubt, the import and export business is increasingly attracting more investment
across the board. Advancements in technology, improved communication, and E-commerce’s
lucrative promises are attracting more US players to this trading industry. What’s even exciting
to most import and export traders is the potential profits from deals with Chinese manufacturers.
However, China and the US are situated on different parts of the globe, and traders have no
choice but to find a means of shipping products from the Asian continent to the US. Needless to
say, every trader will naturally look for the fastest and the most affordable means to get their
products to their destination. Shipping from China to USA has a lot of intricacies, that’s why
many traders prefer using freight forwarding companies.
There are a number of possible options for traders shipping from China to USA, also Shipping
from China to Amazon FBA, both based on urgency, speed, and preferences of shippers. Once
importers provide their requirements, freight forwarders commence the shipping process.
There are a lot of options that traders have when they’re shipping from China to USA. It is just a
matter of considering the urgency, cost, and preferences. Once the preferences are set, the freight
forwarder sets the shipping process into motion. The most important considerations for any
trader include;
Delivery times
Generally, shipping through the air takes the shortest time, while sea shipping takes the longest
time. On average, it takes around 13-25 days to ship via sea from China to the USA. On the other
hand, air transport takes 2-5 days depending on the airline chosen.
Saving time when shipping from China to USA
It’s a normal problem for importers to lose valuable time due to shipping delays. While this can
be quite frustrating, there are simple ways of curbing this problem.
Here are a few ways of improving your shipping times;
a. Keep track of public holidays in China
China has so many festivals, and you can’t possibly find a company that will meet your
shipping needs during these seasons. When shipping from China to USA and Shipping from
China to FBA it is imperative to plan ahead with your suppliers. Most businesses close for
the holidays while congestion at the ports also coincide with such seasons as traders rush to
get their goods out before holidays start.
b. Choose an experienced freight forwarder
There are many advantages that come with working with an experienced freight forwarder.
Shipping from China to Amazon involves different carriers and a solid understanding of both
countries’ laws. Experienced forwarders such as China Freight are well aware of
international shipping laws; hence they’ll take shorter times processing paperwork ultimately
reducing delivery time.
c. Complete clearance paperwork accurately
If you have been involved in the import/export business, you probably know how time
delays can eat up your money. There’s no bigger cause of time delay than a shipment
stopped in the process of clearance. Be sure to fill out your paperwork accurately to avoid
such costly hitches.
Shipping cost
When running a small business, you have to find a way of keeping prices at a point where
customers can pay for them while your company turns a profit. Therefore, unexpected expenses
such as high shipping cost can drive your company out of business. To ensure that you keep
shipping-related expenses tamed, here are a few things you can do;
a. Ship Full Container Loads (FCL)
This is particularly preferred when shipping via sea. If your goods are less than full load
(LCL), they will generally end up costing more per unit item. FCL also minimizes the
chances of goods getting damaged and alleviates delays associated with shipping with
other vendors
b. Plan your shipment well
Timing shipment is indispensable for successful shipping. As aforementioned, there are a
number of holidays in China. As a result, it is important to ship goods before the costs
start rising due to a shortage of workers. You can also ship your goods ahead of time to
enable you to take advantage of the sea option which is significantly cheaper than other
means.
c. Ship 40 ft containers rather than 20 ft
Shipping FCL in a 40 ft container will drive your costs per item down. However, if the
40ft container is much larger for you, you can always use a smaller container
Certainly, there are many other factors involved in shipping from China to USA, most of which
can make or break a business. Nevertheless, the factors discussed above will steer you away
from potential shipping hurdles.