Ocean FCL
15+ CBM. Flat rate per 20GP / 40GP / 40HQ. One shipper, sealed at origin. Lowest unit cost at volume.
Ocean · Air · DDP · FBA
China to USA freight, with the numbers on the page.
Rate benchmarks by weight tier and port pair. Transit ranges port-to-port and door-to-door. The tariff stack, ISF timing, bond cost and FBA label rules — before you ask for a quote.
FCL 20GP · West Coast
$1,800–$4,500 per container
LCL · Shenzhen/Shanghai → LA
$80–$125 per CBM
Air +100kg · SZX/CAN → LAX
$5.8–$7.2 per kg
Mode selection
Choose mode by weight, volume and stockout cost
Air freight is 5–10× the per-kg cost of ocean. The decision is not "cheapest freight" — it is landed cost per unit against the cost of waiting.
Ocean LCL
1–15 CBM. Billed per CBM or W/M. Two CFS passes — origin and destination. Adds 5–15 days vs FCL.
Air freight
Under 500kg, high value, or stockout risk. Billed on chargeable weight. 2–5 days airport-to-airport.
Express / courier
Samples, small parcels, urgent replacement. Highest per-kg cost but fastest. Not a substitute for formal entry on commercial goods.
Ocean per-kg equivalent is roughly $0.50–$1.50/kg; air is $4–$8/kg for general cargo. Air becomes rational when the margin on the goods, or the cost of a stockout, exceeds the freight premium.
2026 rate benchmarks
Ocean FCL, LCL and air — by lane and weight tier
Ranges are for general cargo, port-to-port, under stable market conditions. Peak season and fuel/security surcharges can push the top end by 20–40%.
FCL Per container
| Lane | 20GP | 40GP / 40HQ | Typical transit | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| West China base → US West Coast | $1,800–$4,500 | $2,400–$6,500 | 14–25 days port-to-port | LA/LB chassis and appointment availability can add 2–5 days on door delivery. |
| East China base → US East Coast | $3,200–$3,600 | $4,000–$7,000 | 25–40 days port-to-port | Panama Canal routing. NY/NJ, Savannah and Charleston pricing clusters are close but not identical. |
| Gulf China base → US Gulf (Houston) | $3,200–$3,500 | $4,000–$6,800 | 28–42 days port-to-port | Gulf chassis and rail planning differ from East Coast. Door-to-door 38–50 days realistic. |
FCL benchmarks vary by origin: Shanghai, Ningbo, Yantian/Shenzhen and Qingdao do not quote identically. Always confirm equipment availability and free time before booking.
LCL Per CBM
| Lane | Rate / CBM | Typical port-to-port | CFS / door add |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shenzhen / Shanghai → Los Angeles | $80–$125 | 16–25 days | +5–10 days CFS deconsolidation |
| Shenzhen / Shanghai → New York | $95–$140 | 25–32 days | +5–10 days CFS; East Coast LCL is thinner, book earlier |
LCL is billed on W/M — whichever is larger, 1 CBM or 1,000kg. "$45/CBM" headline rates usually exclude origin CFS receiving, documentation and destination CFS handling.
Air Per kg, by weight tier
| Origin → Destination | +100kg | +300kg | +500kg | Airport-to-airport |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SZX / CAN → LAX | $5.8–$7.2 | $5.1–$6.4 | $4.6–$5.8 | 2–4 days |
| PVG → LAX | $5.6–$7.0 | $4.9–$6.2 | $4.5–$5.6 | 2–4 days |
| CAN / HKG → JFK | $6.2–$7.8 | $5.4–$6.8 | $4.9–$6.2 | 3–5 days |
| PVG → ORD | $6.0–$7.5 | $5.3–$6.7 | $4.8–$6.0 | 3–5 days |
Air door-to-door adds 1–2 days pickup and export processing in China, plus 1–3 days US customs and final delivery. Direct flights are 10–16 hours; indirect routings add 2–7 days.
Transit breakdown
Port-to-port and door-to-door — what actually adds days
Ocean transit is only one segment. CFS handling, chassis, appointment and customs release are where door-to-door estimates usually slip.
US West CoastLA/LB, Seattle, Oakland
18–35dFCL door-to-door
US East CoastNY/NJ, Savannah, Charleston
30–48dFCL door-to-door
US GulfHouston
38–50dFCL door-to-door
Ocean sailing
Port / customs release
Final delivery / appointment
Door-to-door estimates are not guarantees. If the supplier misses the origin cut-off, the booking moves to the next sailing — that is usually 7 days, not 1.
Destination coverage
Major US ports we route through
Each port has different chassis, CFS, terminal and free-time rules. Door-to-door planning has to start from the port, not the ocean rate.
USLAX / USLGB
Los Angeles / Long Beach
Largest China–US gateway. Chassis pools and appointment windows are the main door-delivery variables.
USNYC / USSAV
New York / Savannah
Panama Canal routing. East Coast LCL is thinner than West Coast; book earlier and confirm CFS availability.
USHOU
Houston
Gulf gateway. Chassis pools and inland rail connections differ from East Coast ports — plan door delivery earlier.
FCL vs LCL
Break-even volume and the fees behind the headline
LCL is cheaper up to a point. Past roughly 12–15 CBM, the per-CBM rate plus destination CFS and handling can exceed a 20GP flat rate.
Break-even logic
- 20GP usable volume: roughly 28 CBM.
- 40HQ usable volume: roughly 58–68 CBM in practice, after pallets and dunnage.
- LCL: pay only for occupied CBM, but two CFS passes and fixed origin/destination fees.
- Rule of thumb: under 15 CBM, compare LCL total landed against 20GP; over 15 CBM, FCL usually wins unless destination access is constrained.
Fees that don't appear on the headline
- Origin CFS receiving, documentation, AMS/ISF filing.
- Destination CFS deconsolidation, terminal handling, chassis, waiting time.
- Demurrage (container inside terminal beyond free time) and detention (container outside terminal beyond free time).
- Exam / storage if CBP flags the shipment.
Import compliance
The US tariff stack on China-origin goods
Duty is not one rate. MFN, Section 301 and AD/CVD stack by HTS code. PIIE's tariff tracker puts the average US tariff on Chinese exports at roughly 47.5%.
How the stack looks on a typical consumer-goods shipment
Illustrative example — actual rates depend on the HTS code you declare.
MFNColumn 1 base rate
301China-specific add-on
AD/CVDTargeted products
FeesMPF 0.3464% · HMF 0.125%
MFN
Column 1 base rate in the HTSUS. Applies to most WTO partners. This is the floor, not the final rate.
Section 301
China-specific additional tariff: 7.5%–25% on Lists 1–4, up to 100% on EVs. Lithium-ion on List 4A moved to 25% from Jan 1, 2026.
AD / CVD + 232
Anti-dumping, countervailing and Section 232 measures on targeted products such as steel, aluminum and certain machinery. Product-specific.
The $800 de minimis exemption is gone for China-origin goods. Section 321 was eliminated for China/Hong Kong in 2025. Every commercial shipment — regardless of value — now requires formal entry, duty payment and full documentation. A $10,000 FOB general merchandise shipment at 25% Section 301 plus MFN can carry roughly $2,500–$3,000 in duty before freight.
Duty estimates on this page are planning ranges, not a binding classification. Final duty depends on the HTS code you declare and CBP's determination. An incorrect HS code is the fastest way to overpay or get held.
Documents & bonds
ISF, customs bond and the document set
Miss the ISF window and the shipment does not sail on the planned vessel. Missing bond paperwork can stop entry after arrival.
Commercial invoice
Must match HS classification line by line. Mismatched descriptions are a common hold trigger.
Packing list
Carton count, dimensions and gross weight. Used for ISF and CFS handling.
B/L or AWB
Ocean bill of lading or air waybill. Issued after cargo is received by carrier.
ISF 10+2
Transmitted at least 24 hours before vessel loading. Late ISF is a pre-sailing problem, not a post-arrival one.
Single-entry bond
Roughly 0.4%–0.5% of entered value plus duty, with a minimum. Typical premium $50–$250 per entry.
Continuous bond
Standard minimum $50,000 coverage; roughly $400–$2,500+/year depending on duty volume.
Formal entry
Generally required over $2,500. Filed by the importer of record or a licensed broker within 15 days of arrival.
ISF filing window
Commonly $30–$100+ depending on broker. Inside the 24-hour pre-loading window, always.
Amazon FBA
What changed in 2026 — and why FBA shipments slip
Amazon no longer offers prep or item-labeling for FBA shipments in the US store. FNSKU labels and carton compliance have to be right before cargo leaves China.
Before booking
- Importer of Record: confirm IOR — Amazon does not act as IOR.
- Labels: FNSKU unit labels, FBA carton labels and shipment ID must match the shipment plan exactly.
- Pallet rules: dimensions and weight must match the FC's receiving requirements.
- Appointment: secure the FC appointment before cargo departs. Arrivals without appointment can be refused.
Customs release is only half the appointment — the drayage provider still needs a terminal slot, often 24–48 hours ahead. Label defects at the FC cause on-site refusal and rework, which is far more expensive than fixing labels at origin.
Cargo we review in writing before booking
We do not book counterfeit goods, undeclared batteries, certain foods, drugs or restricted products. Some categories can move — but only after a written review.
- Lithium batteries — type, watt-hour, UN38.3 and packing.
- Liquids, powders, magnets, aerosols.
- Brand-name / licensed goods — authorization required.
- Food, cosmetics, supplements — FDA and prior notice.
- Electronics with wireless — FCC.
Send before asking for a rate
- Product name and intended use.
- HS code, if the supplier has one.
- Packing list and commercial invoice.
- Battery / liquid / powder / magnet declarations.
- Brand authorization, if applicable.
What we coordinate
From Shenzhen Bao'an to the US door
FCL, LCL, air, DDP and FBA — with the origin warehouse in Bao'an and document review before cut-off.
Ocean FCL
20GP / 40GP / 40HQ. Sailing selection, cut-off confirmation and equipment check before booking.
Ocean LCL
CFS receiving, consolidation, destination deconsolidation and CFS fee disclosure.
Air freight
SZX / CAN / PVG / HKG origins. Chargeable weight, screening and airline cut-off confirmed in writing.
DDP & FBA
Duty estimate from invoice and HS code; FBA label, appointment and IOR review before departure.
Send the details that change the rate
Quote review during Shenzhen business hours. Include origin, US ZIP, weight/CBM, cargo name and ready date.
Phone
Address
Shenzhen Shibida Airport Warehouse, Bao'an District, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China
Shenzhen Bao'an airport warehouse
Origin consolidation · document review · FBA labeling
What to put in the first message
- Origin city / port and US destination ZIP.
- Cargo name, material, use and HS code if known.
- Gross weight, CBM and carton count.
- Cargo ready date and service: port-to-port, door-to-door, DDP or FBA.
- Packing list and invoice if available.
FAQ
Questions that change the number
Short answers, with the condition stated.
Why is the FCL rate different from the last quote I saw?
Rates move with sailing, carrier, equipment type, origin port and fuel/security surcharges. A 20GP from Ningbo and a 40HQ from Yantian are not comparable. Free time and destination charges can change the total even when the ocean line looks the same.
Is DDP duty included in the number?
DDP pricing is an estimate based on your invoice and HS code. Final duty follows actual declaration, CBP exam results and any AD/CVD or Section 301 adjustment. DDP shifts who handles the process — it does not lock the duty rate.
Who files ISF, and when?
The importer's licensed broker or filing agent transmits ISF 10+2 at least 24 hours before the vessel loads. We check the document set before sailing, but we do not replace the licensed broker of record.
Demurrage vs detention — what is the difference?
Demurrage is charged when the container stays inside the terminal beyond free time. Detention is charged when the container stays outside the terminal beyond free time. Both are billed at cost and are not in the freight quote.
Can you ship batteries from China to the US?
Some lithium batteries can move with UN38.3, the correct watt-hour declaration and compliant packing. Unlabeled or undeclared batteries are not booked. Air has stricter limits than ocean.
Do you deliver to Amazon FBA?
Yes, when the shipment ID, FNSKU labels, carton labels and FC appointment are confirmed before departure. Amazon does not act as IOR and no longer provides US FBA prep or item labeling — those steps have to happen at origin or at a US prep center.
What is the cheapest way to ship 8 CBM from Shenzhen to Los Angeles?
At 8 CBM, compare LCL total landed — per-CBM rate plus origin CFS, destination CFS and handling — against a 20GP flat rate. LCL often wins at 8 CBM, but destination CFS accessorials can close the gap. The break-even usually sits around 12–15 CBM.
Topic pages
By destination
Each page covers one coast or origin — with lane-level rates, transit ranges and port-specific conditions.