Freight rates determine the cost of transporting merchandise from one location to another. The rate is decided by the type of products being delivered, the mode of transportation, the cargo's volumetric weight, and the route to the delivery destination.

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Aside from the freight rate, the overall cost of shipping from China to the United States includes a slew of taxes that might be overwhelming for importers.

How Long Does it Take to Ship from China?

Arrival times (under standard conditions) are 1-2 weeks for the ordinary post, three days for air express freight, 8-10 days for air freight, & 30-40 days for sea transport.

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Various factors can influence these estimates, so it's worth double-checking with your logistics provider. Ground mail shipping from China takes an eternity. China Post has significantly faster and more cost-effective choices in airmail and fast mail service (EMS), which take between one and two weeks.

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If something appears to be incorrect with the paperwork, US Customs will deprioritize the delivery of goods. So, enhance your chances of a regular post taking just one week by ensuring that the documentation is correct before mailing.

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Solutions For Express Shipping

Allow three days for international courier shipment from China. This involves collecting the delivery at the Chinese supplier's door or handing it off at their depot. If the situation is critical, there are more expensive premium options that can even be delivered overnight.

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Air Freight

Average air freight between China and the United States typically takes 8-10 days. It's not because aircraft are slower; air freight operations are more sophisticated than express freight. Expedited air freight operations generally reduce conventional air freight travel times by 2-3 days.

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Ocean Freight From China To The United States

Ocean freight has the longest lead time, at about 30-40 days for door-to-door shipping from China to the United States. This is because ships travel at a far slower speed than planes. Aside from the extra preparation necessary, ocean liners have begun to travel slower to save energy (and money). For example, US Customs mandates importers who use a single data bond and transit by ocean freight to get an ISF bond.

Furthermore, port congestion, customs bottlenecks, and severe weather conditions have a more significant impact on ocean freight than they do on air freight.

Ocean freight is a high-end service. Based on the nature of the item, enhanced freight may be able to reduce transit time significantly. It may even be compatible with air freight lag times in some cases.

Accelerated freight works by simplifying ocean freight operations and partnering with the fastest ocean services and premier transportation providers. As a result, when exporting from China, expedited freight is a fantastic alternative.

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