Lane · China → SAV
Shipping from China to Savannah, Georgia
The Port of Savannah is one of the busiest container gateways in the US and the main entry point for goods heading to Atlanta and the Southeast. Here's how the route works and how long it takes.
- All-water (FCL)
- 28–36 days port to port
- Terminal
- Garden City Terminal
- Atlanta
- About 4 hours by truck
Updated
The Port of Savannah
Savannah's container traffic is handled at Garden City Terminal, run by the Georgia Ports Authority and often described as the largest single-terminal container facility in North America. Running everything through one terminal means containers move to trucks and trains without being shuttled between sites.
The terminal also has its own on-site rail yard, the Mason Mega Rail Terminal, with direct rail connections to Atlanta and further inland, and to the Appalachian Regional Port in north Georgia.
How cargo gets there
Most Asia–Savannah services sail across the Pacific and through the Panama Canal. Northern Chinese ports such as Qingdao, and the Yangtze Delta ports of Shanghai and Ningbo, have regular services; South China cargo either sails direct or connects through a transhipment port.
The alternative is to land on the West Coast and cross the country by rail, but for the Southeast that's usually slower and more expensive than the all-water route. Panama Canal restrictions, like those during the 2023–2024 drought, are the main thing that can tip the balance.
Transit times
| Service | Transit |
|---|---|
| FCL all-water, Qingdao → Savannah | 30–36 days port to port |
| FCL all-water, Shanghai / Ningbo → Savannah | 28–34 days port to port |
| LCL, China → Savannah | 36–46 days to the US warehouse |
| Air freight, China → ATL | 6–9 days door to door |
Delivering across the Southeast
- Atlanta — around 250 miles, roughly four hours by truck, or by rail from the terminal.
- The Carolinas and Tennessee — one to two days by truck to Charlotte, Greenville or Nashville.
- Florida — Jacksonville is about two and a half hours away, and the rest of the state is reachable in one to two days.
Georgia and the surrounding states have become a major distribution centre for e-commerce and retail, including many Amazon fulfilment centres, so Savannah is a common gateway for FBA stock bound for the eastern US. See Amazon FBA shipping.
What ships on this route
Furniture, flooring, appliances, home goods, auto parts and general retail merchandise make up much of the China–Savannah trade, supplying the large distribution centres around Atlanta and across the Southeast. For furniture specifically, see shipping furniture from China.
FAQ
China → Savannah: 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.
How long does shipping from China to Savannah take?
About 28–36 days port to port by all-water service through the Panama Canal, depending on the Chinese port. Air freight to Atlanta takes 6–9 days door to door.
Is Savannah a good port for shipping to Atlanta?
Yes. Atlanta is about four hours from the port by truck, and there are direct rail connections from Garden City Terminal.
Should I ship to Savannah or Los Angeles for the Southeast?
For the Southeast, all-water to Savannah is usually cheaper and avoids a cross-country rail or truck leg. West Coast routing is mainly worth it if the Panama Canal is restricted.
Can you deliver to Amazon fulfilment centres in Georgia?
Yes. We deliver to Amazon FBA sites and 3PL warehouses across Georgia and the Southeast.