If you’re on the lookout for a shipping container from China to USA we’ve got you covered. On this blog, you’ll discover ways to source your box at competitive rates from vetted suppliers all under one platform – Container xChange.
Shipping from China to USA is a popular trade route for importing goods from Asia. China is the largest trading partner and the third-largest export market in the world. Hence, the United States has a very large demand for transporting goods from China, especially by sea.
So, if your needs include a move from China to the US then we have a one-stop solution for you:
- 50,000+ containers in 2,500+ locations worldwide.
- 1,500+ vetted suppliers.
- Complete market price transparency with competitive, comparable, and negotiable rates.
- 100% secure transactions and a team of experts to guide you along the way to your box.
Check out our competitive rates and availability of containers from China to USA by simply using the public search below. Select ‘I want to use containers’, key in your pick-up and drop-off locations, and click search. Choose from the list of available containers on your route that you can source from more than 1500+ vetted suppliers at negotiable rates with no hidden fees.
20 search results found in total. Interested or found the unit you need? Request more details about your deal for your company via email. No commitment.
Shipping container from China to USA: Everything you need to know
Before moving your cargo from China to USA, you should be aware that there are two types of ocean shipping from China to the US: less than container loadWhat is less than container load? Less than container load (less than container load, LCL) is a shipping term that refers to the delivery of cargo in smaller quantities than a full container load. A f... More (LCLWhat is less than container load? Less than container load (less than container load, LCL) is a shipping term that refers to the delivery of cargo in smaller quantities than a full container load. A f... More) and full container load (FCL).
If you’re planning to import a small number of items that might not need a full container’s worth of space, you should consider an LCLWhat is less than container load? Less than container load (less than container load, LCL) is a shipping term that refers to the delivery of cargo in smaller quantities than a full container load. A f... More shipment, where you combine your goods with other shippers to make a full shipment. But if you have a large order of goods that takes up a lot of space, occupying an entire unit with your goods, FCL load is the way to go. If you need help with your container load read our blog on calculating container load here.
With your load in place, your next step is to find dependable and trusted shipping companies from China to the United States. Companies to consider for your China-to-USA move are:
- Maersk Line- This is a trusted shipping company that has connected Chinese businesses to the globe for nearly a century.
- Mediterranean Shipping Company- This company specializes in container shipping services from China to Canada, the United States, and North America.
- China Cosco Shipping Line- Cosco is a government-backed shipping company and a logistics supplier company in China. They currently own over 360 dry bulk vessels and 10,000 ships for container transport.
How much does it cost to ship from China to USA?
Usually, the cost to ship from China to USA is higher when you are shipping a container from China. The main factor for this high cost is the sheer volume of goods being shipped out of China daily.
This massive amount of traffic requires a lot of resources and infrastructure, which can drive up shipping container costs on this route. Additionally, ocean freight shipping rates can be expensive due to the long-distance boxes cover via international shipping routes.
As you can see several elements are at play that lead to high costs, including the high demand for Chinese exports, the type of container leasing agreement you have, supply and demand, current market trends and fluctuations, and the logistical challenges associated with moving large quantities of cargo worldwide. However, despite these costs, many businesses continue to source their products from China because it remains one of the largest and most competitive manufacturing hotspots in the world.
20ft and 40ft shipping container price from China to USA
When it comes to leasing a container on this route, finding affordable rates can get a little tricky as the costs are dependent on many factors mentioned earlier in this blog. That’s why it’s important to rent containers from transparent marketplaces like Container xChange. On our platform, you can see prices upfront, negotiate further, and make sure you’re leasing containers at the best rates.
To give you a better understanding of the rates on our platform, we have covered the pick-up charges for 20ft and 40ft units for the China to USA stretch.
- The pick-up charge for a 20ft box from Shangai to Dallas is US $188 as of October 2023.
- The pick-up charge for a 20ft box from Shenzhen to Kansas City is US $240 as of October 2023.
- The pick-up charge for a 40ft box from Shangai to Long Beach is US $195 as of August 2023.
- The pick-up charge for a 40ft box from Qingdao to Houston is US $240 as of August 2023.
Note: The rates above are based on the transactions made on the xChange platform and are subject to changes.
Get to see more prices on our leasing dashboard and take advantage of our competitive rates today.
Shortest and longest routes for shipping container from China to USA
You now know that freight rates can be expensive due to the long-distance units have to travel internationally, so let’s explore the shortest route you can take for the China-US stretch to save money.
Fastest and shortest route: Shanghai to Port of Long Beach; the average transit time is 15 to 20 shipping days. In October, the pick-up charge for a 20ft box on this stretch was US $500. And a 40ft HC cost US $370.
The next fastest route to ship your unit is from the port of Tianjin to Los Angeles with a transit time of 17 to 22 days. For this route, the pick-up charge for a 20ft box was US $260 as of October.
Slowest and longest route: From the port of Guangzhou to New York, the estimated transit time is between 30 and 42 days. For a 20ft container, the pick-up charge in this location in October was US $200.
The next longest route is from the port of Shenzhen to Miami, with an average transit time of 45 days. From Shenzhen to Miami, the pick-up charge for a 40ft HC was US $550 as of October.
Note: The rates above are based on the transactions made on the xChange platform and are subject to changes.
If you want to check out actual leasing one-way rates from China to the USA, our product xChange Insights will give you comparative data for pick-up charges, free days, and per diems for different stretches. Try Insights for free, today!
How to secure a container from China to USA
If you’re now ready to secure a unit from China to USA let xChange lend a helping hand. Here’s how you can get your box in a few easy steps:
- Log on to www.containerxchange.com
- Choose ‘I want to use containers’
- Type in your pick-up and drop-off locations and hit ‘search’
- You will get a list of available containers on that stretch
- You can ‘view details of the suppliers and the deals they’re offering. You can see what multiple suppliers are offering and compare the rates.
- Then you can choose a supplier you like after seeing their reviews and ratings
- Connect with them directly via chats and calls on the platform
- Interact with them to compare and negotiate deals and terms
- Choose a rate that suits your budget, close your deal, and get your cargo moved from China to the USA.
You can also connect with bigwigs in the industry on our platform such as Seaco Global, Cosco, Trident, SeaCube, and other trusted names. So come and check out our leasing marketplace to grab a great deal on your box by clicking the banner below.
How to track shipping containers from China to USA
After you’ve secured your box and sent your cargo on its way, you can keep an eye on your box as it moves from China to USA with our near real-time tracking feature. Here’s what you’ll get:
- Pick-up reminders
- Return schedules
- Container close to destination update
- Route changes
- Overview of the number of free days left
- Misuse warnings
- Auto-alert system in the event of delays, discharges, container rollovers, or lengthy wait times.
- ETAWhat is estimated time of arrival? Estimated time of arrival, commonly known as ETA, is a frequently used term globally to denote the time of coming. In the shipping & logistics industry, it is ... More updates
Lease your box on our platform today to reap the benefits of our tracking feature right away.
What documents are required to import goods from China to USA
Another very important component to keep in mind when moving goods from China to the US is to be wary of the documents you need for this one way container move. Any missing documents will cause issues in shipping container clearance and may lead to your container not making it onto the ship itself.
The documents you’ll need:
- Freight shipping forms
- Bill of lading
- Commercial invoice
- Certificate of origin
- Inspection certificate
- Destination control statement
- Shipper’s export declaration
- Export packing list
- Insurance certificate
Latest updates on the China to USA route
Currently, with export volumes already declining from Asia, carriers appear to be working to maintain volumes. There’s also been a decline in rates from the China to USA front. The freight rates from China ports to western USA ports decreased by 3.4% from last month. At the same time, ocean rates to eastern USA ports fell by 5.4%, respectively, from the previous month.
With the rising costs of operations in China and the country’s political trade tensions with the US, many foreign investors have sought to complement their China operations by shifting some of their production to other lower-cost countries in Asia such as Vietnam.
Also, the relentless ongoing Panama Canal drought is having far-reaching consequences for container logistics which include several operational hurdles and disruptions to trade flows between China and USA.
To get more insights like these into the current market trends and updates happening in the industry download a free copy of our report, Where are All the Containers.
Get your shipping container from China to USA at top rates on Container xChange
While you would have usually spent days finding a vetted supplier or sourcing the right kind of container for your cargo, Container xChange makes it a simpler process that can be completed within a few minutes! You can choose any container type and container condition you need at competitive rates that you won’t find in any other souring channels.
Plus, you can keep your transaction safe with our easy payment handling feature – the xChange wallet. And get one consolidated bill to pay at the end of the month – it’s that easy!
Source a container for one-way move from trusted suppliers on xChange
That’s not all! Do you know what the best part is? Well, by leasing a container one way on our platform you’ll help curb empty container repositioning!
On our platform, you can find vetted container suppliers looking to move their boxes from China to the USA and negotiate deals and terms with them directly to source your box. We also have a standard one-way leasing agreement on Container xChange.
During the one-way leasing transaction, all members sign the BIMCO contract to evade confusion as both parties remain informed and are on the same page. With this, you can avoid the hassle of networking by yourself and scheduling endless calls and lengthy email exchanges with multiple companies about contracts and terms.
Shipping a container from China to USA just got super easy! Don’t wait any longer; make your move while the rates are also low in the market currently and bag a great deal on your box right now by clicking the banner below.
Shipping container from China to USA: Common FAQs
How much does it cost to ship a container from China to the US?
Usually, the costs are high to ship a container from China. One major factor that contributes to high costs is the sheer volume of goods being shipped out of China daily. This massive amount of traffic requires a lot of resources and infrastructure, which can drive up shipping container costs from China to USA. Additionally, ocean freight shipping rates can be expensive due to the long distances in international shipping routes.
How long does a shipping container take to travel from China to the US?
One of the fastest transit times to ship a container from China to USA is the route from Shanghai China to Port of Long Beach California with an average transit time of 15 to 20 shipping days. The next fastest route to ship your unit to USA is from China is from the port of Tianjin to Los Angeles transit time of 17 to 22 days. The longest and slowest transit time to ship a box from China to USA is from the port of Guangzhou China to New York, with an estimated average transit time between 30 and 42 days.
How much does it cost to import a 20ft container from China to the US?
The price to move a 20ft box from China to USA depends on many factors such as the container type and condition, location of the port, supply and demand, market situation, and the shipping route chosen.
