Shipping from China to the USA: Complete Guide

USA · Complete guide · Reviewed November 14, 2026 · 8 minute read

Containers and cargo aircraft moving freight from China to the USA — Illustrative AI-generated image.

Shipping from China to the USA is a product-first decision. Ocean and air options, customs documents and carrier acceptance all depend on the goods, the route and the carrier, so a shipment review starts with the product, its packaging and its ready date, with requirements confirmed in writing before booking.

1. Start with the shipment, not the quote

A usable route review starts with the goods themselves. Share the exact product name, the material and form, the packed dimensions and gross weight of each carton, the total carton count, and whether the goods are palletized. Add the origin city, the destination city and state, the cargo-ready date, and any handling notes such as fragility, temperature sensitivity or orientation marks. A forwarder works from this data, not from a category label, because two shipments described as the same product can need different handling, documents and carrier review.

The same product-first rule applies to documents. A commercial invoice and a packing list are the usual starting point for a USA-bound shipment, and regulated goods may also need a safety data sheet, a classification note or other product records. Destination requirements depend on the exact product, so ask the forwarder for the current document list for the intended mode and destination, and confirm it in writing rather than assuming one set of papers covers every case.

2. Ocean or air: how the choice is made

Ocean freight and air freight suit different shipments, and the choice is made from the goods, the route and the timing the buyer needs. Ocean containers carry larger volumes and heavier loads, while air freight suits smaller, lighter or more urgent consignments. Neither mode is right for every product: regulated goods face stricter limits by air under the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations, and some goods need container space that only ocean service provides. The forwarder reviews the mode against the product before proposing a route.

Timing and cost are quoted per shipment, not published as standard figures, because they depend on the route, the carrier, the season and the cargo. A quote is an estimate for the stated goods and route, and it is not a booking or a promise of space. Ask the forwarder to confirm the service scope, the schedule that applies to the booking, and any restrictions in writing before dispatch.

3. Customs and documents in general terms

USA-bound goods clear customs on the strength of their paperwork. The commercial invoice states the product, value and parties; the packing list states what is in each carton; and the classification of the goods decides which additional records apply. Food imports face Food and Drug Administration checks, and cosmetics importers should check current FDA facility registration and product listing duties under the Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act (MoCRA). The importer of record carries responsibility for the declaration, so the data on the documents must match the goods in the cartons.

Some shipments need more than the standard papers. Lithium batteries may need a UN 38.3 test summary, flammable goods may need a safety data sheet and a dangerous goods declaration, and plant products may need phytosanitary review. Ask the forwarder and the customs broker which documents apply to the exact product, and keep the invoice, packing list and product records consistent with each other before the goods leave China.

4. Special cargo: what changes when the goods are regulated

Special cargo changes the review, not the goal. Lithium-ion batteries shipped on their own are usually UN3480, batteries contained in equipment are usually UN3481, and battery-powered vehicles and equipment such as e-bikes, golf carts, forklifts and wheelchairs are usually UN3171. Standalone lithium-ion batteries shipped by air are subject to a 30% state-of-charge limit under packing instruction PI965. Perfume, nail polish and essential oils are usually Class 3 flammable liquid in general terms, and aerosols need a separate propellant and classification review.

Not every product on this route is regulated. Furniture, candles, LED lighting and solar panels are general cargo, not dangerous goods, though oversized pieces still need packing and loading plans. Drones and smartwatches ship with the battery contained in equipment, usually UN3481, while spare batteries are usually UN3480 and portable power stations are usually UN3480. Whatever the product, acceptance depends on the exact goods, route and carrier, and must be confirmed in writing.

5. Amazon FBA and trade-show shipments

Shipments bound for Amazon fulfilment centres follow the same product review, with extra preparation at carton level. FBA cartons need the labels and packing the destination centre requires, and the shipment data must match the Amazon shipment plan. Mixed-SKU cartons, oversized items and regulated goods each add their own checks, so share the FBA shipment details with the forwarder before the cartons are packed, not after.

Trade-show exhibits are a different pattern: a small number of cartons, a fixed event date and a return leg to plan. Exhibits may include samples, display units and printed material, and any battery-powered or flammable display item needs the same classification review as a commercial shipment. Provide the event venue, the delivery window and the return plan with the first enquiry so the route review covers both directions.

6. How to request a route review

A route review is a data exchange. Provide the product name and description, packed dimensions and gross weight per carton, carton count and pallet details, origin and destination, cargo-ready date and preferred mode, plus photos and any safety data sheets or test summaries already available. The forwarder checks the options for the stated route and returns a quotation with the service scope and the documents it needs.

Treat the quotation as a proposal, not an approval. Ask the forwarder to confirm acceptance, required documents, packaging, service scope and any restrictions in writing before booking. If the product, quantity or ready date changes after the quotation, share the update at once, because a change in the goods can change the classification, the mode and the carrier that can take the shipment.

USA shipping guides

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Official references

Note: This guide provides general logistics planning information. It is not legal, customs, tax, safety or carrier acceptance advice. Requirements, services and schedules depend on the actual goods, route, contract, provider and current rules. Verify shipment-specific questions with the responsible carrier, customs broker or authority before dispatch.

For a route-specific logistics review, provide the product, origin, destination, packed dimensions, weight and ready date.

Request a shipment review ↗

Frequently asked questions

What data does a USA route review need?

Share the exact product name and description, packed dimensions and gross weight per carton, carton count and pallet details, origin and destination cities, cargo-ready date and preferred mode, plus photos and any safety data sheets or test summaries available. The forwarder checks options for the stated route from this data.

Can regulated goods ship from China to the USA by air?

It depends on the product and the airline. Air freight follows the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations, and flammable goods and standalone lithium batteries face stricter limits by air than by ocean. Confirm the air option with the carrier before planning around a flight.

Does a quotation mean the shipment is approved?

No. A quotation is an estimate for the stated goods and route, not a booking or a promise of space. Ask the forwarder to confirm acceptance, required documents, packaging, service scope and any restrictions in writing before dispatch.