Importing from China
How to import from China to the USA, step by step
Importing from China involves a dozen decisions and four or five different parties. Here they are in the order they actually happen, with the questions to settle at each stage before money changes hands.
- Typical first order
- 6–12 weeks, order to door
- Biggest cost after goods
- Duty and tariffs
- Most common mistake
- Not checking the HTS code first
Updated
1. Before you order: check the product can be imported profitably
Most import problems are decided before the first sample arrives. Three checks belong right at the start:
- Find the HTS code and the total duty rate. The rate depends on exactly what the product is and what it's made of, and many Chinese-made goods carry Section 301 tariffs on top. A product that looks profitable at the factory price can stop being profitable once duty is added. See how to find your HTS code.
- Check whether another US agency regulates it. Food, cosmetics, medical devices, children's products, anything with a radio transmitter, and many chemicals have rules beyond customs that must be met before the goods ship.
- Estimate the landed cost — factory price plus freight, duty, fees and delivery — not just the unit price. Our shipping cost guide lists every charge.
2. Choose a supplier and agree the terms
Whether you find a factory on Alibaba, 1688, at a trade fair or through an agent, the commercial terms you agree decide who does what later on. Settle these in writing before you pay a deposit:
- The Incoterm. EXW and FOB are the most common supplier quotes. They decide where the supplier's responsibility ends and yours begins — compare them here.
- Packaging and labelling. Carton size, carton weight, the country-of-origin marking on products, and any Amazon FNSKU labels.
- Payment terms. A 30% deposit with 70% before shipment is common. Try to keep part of the balance until after a pre-shipment check.
- Production time and ready date. The ready date drives your shipping booking.
If you're buying through Alibaba or 1688, read how to ship from Alibaba suppliers for the questions specific to those platforms.
3. Choose how to ship
| Method | Door to door | Suits |
|---|---|---|
| Express courier | 3–6 days | Samples and small parcels |
| Air freight | 5–9 days | Urgent or high-value goods, roughly 100 kg and up |
| LCL ocean | 4–7 weeks | Roughly 2–15 cubic metres |
| FCL ocean | 3–6 weeks | Roughly 15 cubic metres and up |
Work out your volume with the CBM calculator, then read the detail on ocean freight and air freight.
4. Decide who will be the importer of record
Someone has to be legally responsible for declaring the goods to US Customs and paying the duty. That's the importer of record. You have two choices:
- Import under your own name. You'll need a customs bond and usually a licensed customs broker. You control the declarations, and you can claim refunds or exclusions directly.
- Use a DDP service. The forwarder or its brokerage partner acts as importer of record, and you pay one all-in price. Simpler for new and smaller importers — see how DDP works.
5. Get the documents right
Your supplier prepares the commercial invoice and packing list, and the carrier issues the bill of lading or air waybill. These need to agree with each other on quantities, weights and values, and describe the goods precisely. Mismatches are the most common cause of delays at both ends. The full list is in our import documents checklist.
6. Ship, clear customs and pay duty
Booking
Your forwarder books space on a sailing or flight and arranges pickup from the factory.
Chinese export clearance
The export declaration is filed in China before the goods can be loaded.
ISF filing (ocean only)
Must reach US Customs at least 24 hours before the container is loaded.
Transit
About two weeks at sea to the West Coast, or four to five to the East Coast. About a day in the air.
US customs entry
The broker files the entry, Customs releases the goods, and duty is paid with the entry summary within 10 working days.
Read how US customs clearance works for the details, including what happens if your shipment is examined.
7. Receive the goods
The final leg is trucking from the port or airport to your address. Be ready to receive: if a container isn't collected and returned within the terminal's free time, storage and detention charges start to build up every day. If you sell on Amazon, plan for the fulfilment centre's receiving time as well — see Amazon FBA shipping.
FAQ
How to import from China: common questions
The questions importers ask us before the first booking. If yours is not here, ask us directly — a real coordinator replies, not an auto-responder.
Do I need a license to import from China to the USA?
Most products don’t need an import license. You do need to meet the rules for your specific product — some goods are regulated by agencies such as the FDA, FCC or CPSC — and to have an importer of record, which can be you or, on a DDP shipment, your forwarder’s partner.
How long does it take to import from China?
For a first order, typically 6–12 weeks from placing the order to receiving the goods: production, then about a week for pickup and export, then 3–7 weeks by sea or around a week by air, plus clearance and delivery.
What is the minimum order to import from China?
There’s no legal minimum. Suppliers set their own minimum order quantities, and shipping makes most sense from about 1–2 cubic metres by sea or around 100 kg by air.
Can I import from China as an individual?
Yes. Individuals can import goods for business or personal use. A DDP service is usually the simplest route, because it doesn’t require you to set up a customs bond or hire a broker.
How much duty will I pay on goods from China?
It depends on the product’s HTS code. Standard duty ranges from zero to over 30%, and many Chinese-made goods also carry Section 301 tariffs. Check the rate before you order.