Bofeng Logistics provides international ocean freight logistics services from China's major ports to the United States. Leveraging deep cooperation with the world's top ten shipping lines, it offers full container load (FCL) and less than container load (LCL) end-to-end logistics solutions for foreign trade enterprises, cross-border e-commerce, and various cargo owners.
I. Route Overview
The United States is one of China's largest trading partners, with bilateral trade volume continuing to grow. The China-US ocean shipping route is one of the busiest trade lanes globally, with major import and export goods including electronics, machinery and equipment, furniture and home goods, toys and gifts, textiles, cross-border e-commerce goods, etc.
Bofeng Logistics maintains long-term direct booking cooperation with multiple shipping lines on the China-US route, covering major ports on the US West Coast and US East Coast. It provides one-stop services including FCL, LCL, customs clearance, warehousing, insurance, and door-to-door delivery. Whether you are a foreign trade factory, trading company, or Amazon seller, Bofeng Logistics can tailor a suitable shipping solution for you.
II. Port of Loading and Destination Port
2.1 Major Ports of Loading in China
| Port of Loading | Region | Advantages | Suitable Cargo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shenzhen Port (Yantian/Shekou) | South China | Largest container port in South China, dense US West Coast routes | General cargo, e-commerce, high-value goods |
| Guangzhou Port (Nansha) | South China | West Pearl River hub, well-developed barge network | Goods from the west bank of the Pearl River, bulk cargo |
| Shanghai Port | East China | World's largest port, dense US West Coast/East Coast routes | Goods from East China/Yangtze River Delta |
| Ningbo Port | Zhejiang | Deep-water port, efficient operations | Goods from Zhejiang/East China |
| Qingdao Port | Shandong | Largest foreign trade port in North China | Goods from North China/Shandong |
| Tianjin Port | Tianjin | Northern hub, gateway to Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei | Goods from North China/Northwest |
2.2 Major Destination Ports in the United States
US West Coast Ports (USWC Route):
| Destination Port | Port Code | Features | Suitable For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Port of Los Angeles / Port of Long Beach | LAX / LGB | Largest container port complex in the US, core US West Coast gateway | All categories, covering the US West and inland areas |
| Port of Seattle-Tacoma | SEA / TAC | Pacific Northwest gateway, closest to Asia | Goods for Washington and Oregon |
| Port of Oakland | OAK | Northern California gateway | San Francisco Bay Area, Northern California |
US East Coast Ports (USEC Route):
| Destination Port | Port Code | Features | Suitable For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Port of New York and New Jersey | NY / NJ | Largest port on the US East Coast | Entire US East Coast, New York metropolitan area |
| Port of Savannah | SAV | Fast-growing port in the US Southeast | Georgia, Southeastern states |
| Port of Charleston | CHS | Deep-water port in the US Southeast | South Carolina |
| Port of Norfolk | ORF | Chesapeake Bay gateway | Virginia |
III. Major Shipping Lines
The main carriers on the China-US route include the following shipping lines. Bofeng Logistics maintains direct booking cooperation with each:
| Shipping Line | Route Brand | Advantages | Sailing Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| COSCO Shipping | AWE / AAC Series | Leading capacity on China-US route, comprehensive port coverage | Multiple weekly sailings |
| Maersk | TP Series | World's largest shipping line, complete service network | Multiple weekly sailings |
| MSC | Santana / America Series | Large capacity, competitive pricing | Multiple weekly sailings |
| ONE | PS / EC Series | Coverage on both US West and US East Coasts | Multiple weekly sailings |
| CMA CGM | PEX Series | Fast US West Coast service option | Multiple weekly sailings |
IV. Full Container Load (FCL) Service
4.1 Available Container Types
| Container Type | Internal Dimensions (L×W×H) | Suitable Cargo |
|---|---|---|
| 20GP | 5.90×2.35×2.39m | Heavy cargo, bulk goods, hardware and building materials |
| 40GP | 12.03×2.35×2.39m | Light and bulky cargo, large-volume goods, furniture |
| 40HQ | 12.03×2.35×2.69m | High-volume cargo, light industrial products, e-commerce goods |
| OT Open Top | Depends on container spec | Over-height and over-weight cargo, machinery |
| FR Flat Rack | Depends on container spec | Large equipment, vehicles, steel, building materials |
| RF Reefer | Depends on container spec | Frozen food, pharmaceuticals, chemicals |
4.2 Reference Transit Time
| Origin Region | Destination Region | Direct/Transshipment | Reference Transit Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| South China (Shenzhen/Guangzhou) | US West Coast (LA/Long Beach) | Direct | Approx. 13-16 days |
| South China (Shenzhen/Guangzhou) | US East Coast (NY/Savannah) | Direct or transshipment | Approx. 25-30 days |
| East China (Shanghai/Ningbo) | US West Coast (LA/Long Beach) | Direct | Approx. 12-15 days |
| East China (Shanghai/Ningbo) | US East Coast (NY/Savannah) | Direct or transshipment | Approx. 25-30 days |
| North China (Qingdao/Tianjin) | US West Coast (LA/Long Beach) | Direct | Approx. 14-18 days |
| North China (Qingdao/Tianjin) | US East Coast (NY/Savannah) | Transshipment | Approx. 28-35 days |
Note: The above transit times are for reference only. Actual shipping time is affected by the shipping line's route design, transshipment port connections, destination port operation efficiency, weather, and other factors. Please confirm with the booking confirmation.
V. Less than Container Load (LCL) Service
5.1 LCL Description
For cargo that does not fill a full container, Bofeng Logistics offers China to US LCL services, consolidating multiple shipments into one container for export.
Scenarios suitable for LCL:
- Samples, trial orders
- Small batch replenishment for cross-border e-commerce
- Amazon FBA consolidated warehousing
- Cargo with volume between 1-15 CBM
5.2 LCL Chargeable Method
LCL cargo is charged based on the greater of volume or weight (RT = Revenue Ton), with the conversion standard: 1 CBM = 1000 KG.
5.3 LCL Reference Transit Time
LCL transit time is generally consistent with FCL, with an additional 1-2 days for consolidation operations. Bofeng Logistics has consolidation warehouses in Shenzhen, Guangzhou, and Shanghai, allowing nearby cargo drop-off.
VI. Shipping Terms and Value-Added Services
6.1 Common Trade Terms
| Term | Description | Applicable Scenario |
|---|---|---|
| FOB China Port | Seller responsible up to port of loading, buyer arranges ocean freight | Buyer-designated forwarder |
| CIF US Port | Seller responsible for ocean freight + insurance to destination port | Seller controls shipping |
| DDP US Door | Seller responsible for entire journey to US address (including customs duties) | Cross-border e-commerce, FBA |
| DDU US Door | Seller responsible to US door, duties borne by buyer | Importer self-clearance |
6.2 Value-Added Services
- Export Customs Clearance: Professional team handles customs clearance for various goods, HS code classification guidance
- Destination Customs Clearance: US customs filing (AMS/ISF), customs brokerage services
- Warehousing Services: Transit warehouses in Guangzhou/Shenzhen/Shanghai, supporting consolidation, sorting, labeling, and relabeling
- Truck Pickup: Door-to-door pickup services in major port cities of Pearl River Delta, Yangtze River Delta, and North China
- Transport Insurance: FPA/WPA/All Risks coverage to protect cargo during ocean transit
- Destination Truck Delivery: Door-to-door truck delivery service covering US ports
VII. Operational Notes for China-US Route
7.1 Documentation Requirements
China to US ocean shipping typically requires the following documents:
- Bill of Lading (B/L, original or telex release)
- Commercial Invoice
- Packing List
- Certificate of Origin (CO or Form A)
- AMS/ISF filing data (filed 24 hours prior to departure)
7.2 Customs and Compliance
- AMS Filing: All shipments to the US must complete AMS filing 24 hours before loading
- ISF Filing: The importer must submit ISF (10+2) filing 24 hours before loading
- FDA Regulation: Food, drugs, medical devices, etc., require prior FDA registration
- CPSC Compliance: Children's products, electronics, etc., must meet US Consumer Product Safety Commission standards
7.3 Important Notes
- Peak Season Alert: July-October is the traditional peak season on the China-US route. Space is tight; book 2-3 weeks in advance.
- Port Congestion: LA/Long Beach ports occasionally experience congestion; allow buffer time.
- Chinese New Year Impact: Two weeks before and after Chinese New Year are peak shipping periods; plan ahead.
- Special Cargo: Batteries, liquids, powders, and dangerous goods must be confirmed in advance for acceptance and compliance requirements.
VIII. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: How long does ocean shipping from China to the US take?
The US West Coast route (LA/Long Beach) takes about 12-18 days, the US East Coast route (NY/Savannah) takes about 25-35 days. Actual transit time depends on port of loading, destination port, shipping line, and whether it is a direct route.
Q2: How to choose between FCL and LCL for China-US shipping?
Generally, if cargo volume exceeds 15 CBM, FCL is recommended; below 15 CBM, LCL is suitable. FCL offers lower per-unit transport costs, while LCL provides greater flexibility for small batches. Feel free to contact Bofeng Logistics for a customized solution.
Q3: What documents are required for shipping to the US?
Main documents include Bill of Lading (B/L), Commercial Invoice, and Packing List. AMS (US Customs advance filing) must be completed 24 hours before loading, and ISF (Importer Security Filing) must be submitted 24 hours before loading. Bofeng Logistics provides full documentation guidance service.
Q4: What cargo is restricted for shipment to the US?
The US has strict entry requirements for food, drugs, medical devices (FDA registration), children's products (CPSC compliance), electronics (FCC certification), etc. Dangerous goods, counterfeit brand products, and infringing goods are strictly prohibited. Please confirm cargo compliance requirements with Bofeng Logistics before shipment.
Q5: What advantages does Bofeng Logistics have on the China-US route?
Bofeng Logistics maintains long-term direct booking cooperation with the world's top ten shipping lines such as COSCO, Maersk, and MSC, offering competitive freight rates and stable space guarantees on the China-US route. It also provides extended services such as destination customs clearance, truck delivery, and warehousing transit, achieving full-process logistics coverage from China to US door.
IX. Further Reading
-
International Shipping Operations Manual: Global Major Routes and Ports
-
International Shipping Operations Manual: How to Choose Between Direct and Transshipment Vessels
-
Introduction to Port of Los Angeles
-
Introduction to Port of Long Beach
-
Introduction to Port of New York
-
Shenzhen to Savannah Sea Freight Line
X. Contact Us
Get real-time quotes and customized logistics solutions for China-US shipping:
- Phone: 130-7567-8958
- Email: info@zhbfwl.com
- Online Inquiry: Get Shipping Quote
This article was created by the professional team at Bofeng Logistics, based on 20 years of international shipping experience. If you have ocean shipping needs from China to destination countries, please contact Bofeng Logistics for a customized solution.