Shipping Container from China to USA

The West Coast is the fastest landing point. Interworld ships FCL and LCL containers from Shanghai, Shenzhen, Ningbo and Qingdao to Los Angeles, Long Beach and Seattle, with transit from 13 days. Exact timing depends on the port pair and carrier schedule, which we confirm with your rate and next sailing within one business day. Los Angeles (USLAX), Long Beach (USLGB) and Seattle (USSEA) are the main West Coast discharge ports, while East Coast and Gulf routes take longer.

If you have the volume, often yes. A 40-ft container holds 67.7 m³ and up to 28,000 kg and typically costs $1,800 to $4,500 on this route, versus 33 m³, up to 25,000 kg and $1,200 to $3,000 for a 20-ft. The 20-ft is the cheapest FCL option when your goods fit in it. A 40-ft high cube adds height and offers about 76 m³, which suits light but bulky cargo.

LCL pricing depends entirely on the volume of cargo you ship, so it is not shown in the rate table on this page. Port of origin, destination, season and fuel surcharges also affect the price. Send your volume and commodity through the quote form and Interworld confirms your LCL rate and next sailing within one business day. LCL is normally billed per cubic meter or per metric ton, whichever is greater, so accurate volume and weight make the quote reliable.

Yes. Beyond the West Coast, Interworld runs routes such as Tianjin (Xingang) to New York and Ningbo to Oakland, with Shanghai serving both coasts. For inland delivery we add road freight, including container drayage, FTL and LTL trucking, so pickup at origin and delivery at destination are coordinated door to door by one team. After discharge at the port, the container is cleared and trucked inland to the consignee.

Yes. Interworld manages clearance and documentation at the US destination for commercial cargo and household goods, and provides full tracking from origin to destination. Founded in 1992 and a founding member of the World Cargo Alliance, we move 30,000+ TEUs a year with an in-house team that knows customs at each destination. At entry, the importer files CBP Form 7501 through ACE and pays the Merchandise Processing Fee of 0.3464% and the Harbor Maintenance Fee of 0.125% on ocean cargo.

Common shipments on this lane include electronics, textiles, machinery, furniture and retail stock, and ocean freight can move almost any type of goods. Hazardous, fragile or oversized cargo may require additional handling, which affects the rate. Tell us the commodity in your quote request so the advisor can confirm equipment and requirements. Hazardous goods ship under the IMDG Code, and any wood packaging must meet ISPM 15.

Interworld prepares the core documents for you: the bill of lading (BL), the commercial invoice and the packing list. Our team then handles clearance at the US destination. Your advisor confirms any additional documents your commodity requires together with the rate and next sailing. For US import, the ISF 10+2 must be filed 24 hours before loading in China, and the importer needs a customs bond and the HTSUS classification of each product.