Question 1

How long does shipping from China to the US take?

Accepted Answer

Sea freight takes 14-25 days depending on the route. Shenzhen to LA is typically 14-18 days. Air freight is 3-7 days but significantly more expensive.

Question 2

What is LCL vs FCL shipping?

Accepted Answer

LCL (Less than Container Load) shares a container with other shippers — ideal for smaller shipments. FCL (Full Container Load) gives you the entire container — better for large volumes over 15 CBM.

Question 3

How much are customs duties on Chinese goods?

Accepted Answer

Duty rates vary by product (HTS code). Most goods face 0-25% base duty plus potential Section 301 tariffs of 7.5-25%. Use our free duty calculator to check your specific product.

Question 4

Do you handle customs clearance?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We handle all customs brokerage including HTS classification, ISF filing, duty payment, and delivery coordination. Our customs team processes clearances daily.

Question 5

What is the minimum order for shipping from China?

Accepted Answer

There's no strict minimum. For sea freight LCL, we recommend at least 1-2 CBM (roughly $300-600 in freight). For smaller orders under 100kg, air freight or express may be more cost-effective.

Question 6

How do I track my shipment?

Accepted Answer

Use our free Container Tracker tool — enter your container number to see real-time vessel position, ETA, and port calls. We also send proactive email updates at each milestone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Shipping & Logistics

Products & Sourcing

Payment & Pricing

Customs & Regulations

Shipping Rates & Freight

Quality Control & Inspections

Amazon FBA & E-Commerce

Insurance & Risk Management

Tariffs & Trade Policy

Getting Started

Frequently Asked Questions

Shipping & Logistics

How long does shipping take from China to Seattle?

What is the difference between LCL and FCL?

What container sizes are available?

Can you ship to cities other than Seattle?

Do you provide tracking?

Products & Sourcing

What products can you source from China?

How much can I save compared to buying locally?

Can I see the products before they ship?

What if I receive damaged products?

Payment & Pricing

What payment methods do you accept?

Do I need to pay everything upfront?

Are there any hidden fees?

What currency do you charge in?

Customs & Regulations

Do I need to handle customs myself?

Are there import duties on products from China?

Is there anything that can't be shipped?

Shipping Rates & Freight

What determines container shipping rates?

Why were shipping rates so high in 2021?

How can I lock in lower shipping rates?

How is the 2026 Iran conflict affecting shipping?

Quality Control & Inspections

What quality inspection services do you offer?

What is AQL and how does it work?

Can I attend the factory inspection remotely?

What happens if the inspection fails?

How much do inspections cost?

Amazon FBA & E-Commerce

Can you ship directly to Amazon FBA warehouses?

Do you handle Amazon FBA labeling requirements?

What's the cheapest way to ship to Amazon FBA?

Can you help with Amazon product compliance (FCC, UL)?

How do I avoid Amazon listing suspension from import issues?

Insurance & Risk Management

Is shipping insurance included?

What does marine cargo insurance cover?

How do I file an insurance claim?

What's the carrier's liability without insurance?

Tariffs & Trade Policy

How do Section 301 tariffs affect my imports?

Are there ways to legally reduce import duties?

What is a customs bond and do I need one?

What documents do I need for US customs?

Do I need an import license?

Getting Started

What do I need to start importing from China?

What's the minimum order size?

How long does the entire process take from start to finish?

Can I visit the factories in China?

Do you work with first-time importers?

How do I get a quote?