Shipping From China to the United States

01What the freight itself costs

Base air rates to the US are among the lowest of any long-haul destination, because capacity is dense.

Two things move this number in practice. Fuel and peak-season surcharges add roughly 8–15% between October and January, and a parcel that is light but bulky is charged on volumetric weight instead. A 1.2 kg hoodie in a 40 × 30 × 12 cm box is billed at 2.4 kg.

02What happens at the border now

The headline change every guide still gets wrong.

China and Hong Kong origin lost the $800 de minimis allowance on 2 May 2025, and it was extended to all origins on 29 August 2025. There is no low-value relief left for ordinary parcels. Every consignment is dutiable, and postal shipments may be charged a flat per-item fee instead of a percentage during the transition.

On top of the standard duty, Section 301 additional duties still apply to China-origin goods, and they stack. Apparel, footwear and bags sit in the higher bands; the exact figure depends on the HS code of each item, which is why a mixed haul is not a single percentage.

03Which line to choose

Speed, weight ceiling and who clears customs differ by line more than by agent.

Three shapes dominate. Economy air lines are the default for 2–8 kg and land in roughly 10–15 days. Express (DHL, UPS, FedEx) is 3–7 days but carries the highest clearance fees and is the most likely to be inspected. Sea or rail only makes sense above about 15 kg, at 25–40 days.

Ask the agent one question before paying: is duty included in this quote, or will the carrier invoice me after delivery? A DDP line costs more up front and removes the surprise. A DDU line is cheaper and leaves the clearance fee to the courier, which typically adds $12–$25 on top.

04Declaration: the part that decides the bill

Under-declaring is the most common mistake and the fastest way to lose a parcel.

Customs value is normally the price you actually paid. Writing $20 on a $200 parcel does not reduce the duty as much as it increases the chance of a hold, and a seized parcel is a total loss: no goods, no freight refund.

Describe goods plainly and specifically — “cotton knit sweatshirt” rather than “gift”. Two parcels with the same tracking pattern, the same weight and the same sender are also a flag; splitting a haul is fine, splitting it into five identical boxes the same week is not.

05Where parcels actually fail

Not at Chinese customs, and rarely at the duty line.

Three failure modes account for most US losses. IPR detention — a customs officer who recognises a logo can detain the parcel, and the rights holder decides whether to release it. Brokerage surprise — courier clearance fees invoiced weeks later. Address and signature — express lines require a signature and will return a parcel to the warehouse after two failed attempts, which costs a second freight bill.

Q&AQuestions people ask about this route