Why China remains the top US import source
Despite trade tensions and tariff escalations, China remains the largest source of US imports. In 2025, bilateral trade between the two countries still exceeded $500 billion. For many product categories including electronics, textiles, consumer goods, and industrial components, Chinese manufacturing offers a combination of scale, capability, and cost that is difficult to replicate elsewhere.
Whether you are a first-time importer or an experienced shipper looking to optimize your China-US logistics, this guide covers every step of the journey.
Step 1: choose your shipping mode
The first decision is whether to ship by ocean or air. Ocean freight handles approximately 90% of US-China trade by volume and is significantly cheaper per unit. Air freight is faster but costs 4 to 8 times more per kilogram.
Choose ocean freight when you have large volumes that fill part or all of a container, when transit time of 20 to 40 days is acceptable, when goods are not perishable or time-sensitive, and when keeping per-unit shipping costs low is a priority.
Choose air freight when you need delivery in 3 to 7 days, when goods are high-value relative to their weight, when you are shipping samples or urgent restocks, or when the product has a short shelf life.
Within ocean freight, you will choose between FCL (full container load) where you book an entire container, and LCL (less than container load) where your cargo shares container space with other shippers. FCL is more cost-effective for shipments exceeding about 15 cubic meters.
Step 2: understand the costs
The total cost of importing from China includes several components beyond just the freight rate. The freight rate itself covers port-to-port transportation. Origin charges include pickup from the factory, container loading, terminal handling, and documentation at the Chinese port. Destination charges include terminal handling, chassis fees, and customs exam costs at the US port. Customs duties include MFN rates, Section 301 tariffs, Section 122 surcharge, and any applicable antidumping or countervailing duties. Customs broker fees cover the cost of filing your customs entry and managing compliance. Trucking or drayage covers the final delivery from the US port to your warehouse. Cargo insurance typically costs 0.3% to 0.5% of the cargo value.
Step 3: documentation required
Several documents are essential for a China-US shipment. The commercial invoice details the transaction value, buyer, seller, and product descriptions. The packing list itemizes the contents of each package or container. The bill of lading is the contract between the shipper and carrier and serves as a title document. The ISF filing or 10+2 filing must be submitted to US Customs at least 24 hours before the vessel departs from China. A certificate of origin may be required for certain products. Product-specific certificates may be needed for FDA-regulated items, FCC electronics, or CPSC consumer products.
Step 4: customs clearance
When your shipment arrives at a US port, it must clear customs before it can be delivered. Your customs broker files the entry with CBP, pays applicable duties, and coordinates with any government agencies that need to inspect or clear your goods.
Common reasons for customs delays include incorrect or missing documentation, HTS classification errors, FDA or USDA holds for regulated products, random CBP examinations, and UFLPA forced labor screening holds.
Working with an experienced customs broker significantly reduces the risk of delays and penalties.
Step 5: final delivery
Once customs clearance is complete, your container is available for pickup. A drayage truck picks up the container from the port terminal and delivers it to your warehouse or distribution center. You typically have 4 to 7 free days before demurrage and detention charges begin accumulating, so prompt pickup is essential.
Major ports for China-US trade
On the US West Coast, the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach handle the largest volume of Chinese imports. On the East Coast, the ports of New York/New Jersey, Savannah, and Charleston are major entry points, with shipments routing either through the Panama Canal or around the Cape of Good Hope.
Ship from China with ASR WorldWide Express
We handle hundreds of China-US shipments annually and provide end-to-end service from factory door in China to your warehouse in the US. Our services include ocean freight (FCL and LCL), air freight, customs clearance, drayage, and warehousing. Get a quote at asrwe.com/quote or contact us at shipping@asrwe.com.
