Country · Asia & Middle East

Shipping to China

Air and ocean freight from the United States to China, arranged through Gelle Transport and our international partners — with routing, documents and timing confirmed for every shipment.

CapitalBeijing
Main air gatewayShanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)
Main seaportShanghai, Ningbo-Zhoushan and Shenzhen
CurrencyChinese yuan (CNY)
RegionAsia & Middle East
Typical US gatewayWest Coast ports (Los Angeles/Long Beach, Seattle/Tacoma) for East Asia; East Coast ports for the Middle East and South Asia

Shipping from the USA to China

Gelle Transport arranges freight from the United States to China through vetted international air and ocean partners, building on our experience as a Kansas City trucking company since 2014. We collect your cargo in the US, prepare it for export, book the international leg and coordinate arrival in China, with routing and availability confirmed before every booking.

Asia and the Middle East are served by many direct air and ocean services from the USA. Gulf hubs such as Dubai also act as transhipment points for East Africa.

Aerial view of a cargo vessel on open water
Ocean cargo for China arrives through Shanghai.

Air freight to China

Air cargo from the United States to China normally arrives at Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG). Air freight is the best choice for urgent, compact and high-value shipments such as electronics, spare parts, documents and medical supplies. Typical door-to-door transit from the USA to this region is about 3–8 days, depending on the origin airport, connections and customs clearance. Air cargo is charged on chargeable weight — the greater of actual weight and volumetric weight.

Sea freight to China

Ocean freight to China usually arrives at Shanghai, Ningbo-Zhoushan and Shenzhen. Choose a full container (FCL) for larger volumes or a shared container (LCL) for smaller consignments. Typical ocean transit from the USA to this region is about 3–6 weeks, depending on the US port, sailing schedule and transhipment.

Customs and import documents for China

Most shipments to China need the following. Product-specific requirements vary, so we confirm them before your cargo leaves the US:

  • Commercial invoice with item values
  • Detailed packing list
  • Bill of lading or air waybill
  • Importer registration / tax ID in China
  • Certificates of origin or conformity where required
  • Permits for regulated goods (food, medicines, chemicals)

Import duties and taxes are assessed in China in the local currency (Chinese yuan (CNY)) and are normally paid by the importer. US export rules also apply — some goods, technologies and destinations need an export licence.

How Gelle Transport helps

  1. 01

    Assess the shipment

    We confirm the route to China, what can be shipped and any restrictions before you commit.

  2. 02

    US pickup and export

    We collect from your address or supplier and prepare the cargo and documents for export.

  3. 03

    International freight

    Air or ocean booked with vetted carriers, with updates while in transit.

  4. 04

    Arrival coordination

    Clearance and delivery in China coordinated with local agents where available.

Shipping to China: FAQs

How long does shipping from the USA to China take?

Air freight typically takes about 3–8 days and sea freight about 3–6 weeks, plus clearance and inland delivery. We confirm timelines on every quote.

Which airport and port serve China?

Air cargo usually arrives at Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG). Sea cargo usually arrives at Shanghai, Ningbo-Zhoushan and Shenzhen.

Can Gelle Transport ship to China?

Yes, on request. We confirm routing, availability and timing for each shipment. Our main international lane is USA to Kenya.

Who pays import duties in China?

Duties and taxes are normally paid by the importer in China, in Chinese yuan (CNY).

Other countries in Asia & Middle East

Ready when you are

Do you want us to ship or haul for you? Let's talk.

USA to Kenya air & sea cargo · FTL, LTL & intermodal trucking · 24/7 dispatch