Launch stock
Get samples, first production runs, and retail launch inventory into US warehouses before the selling window closes.
Last reviewed
Air freight · China → USA
Air freight from China to the USA — priority and economy air into LAX, ORD, JFK, and ATL.
Move time-sensitive electronics, samples, and replenishment stock from Shenzhen, Shanghai, or Hong Kong to Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, and Atlanta. Chargeable weight calculated from measured cartons, HTS classification and Section 301 exposure confirmed before booking, and CBP entry coordinated.
3–7 daysdoor-to-door range
4 gatewaysUS coverage
24hquote turnaround
1agent from pickup to delivery
3–5d
Airport-to-airport, priority
5–8d
Economy air service
4
US receiving gateways
1
Agent from pickup to delivery
Where air wins
Use air freight when the cost of waiting is higher than the freight line.
We compare priority, economy, and door-to-door options against your stockout date — not just the airport rate.
High-value electronics
Consolidate smaller cartons with scan points at origin, linehaul, and final delivery. Battery paperwork reviewed before handoff, Section 301 exposure flagged early.
Replenishment
Bridge a sea-freight gap with a right-sized top-up, then return to the planned ocean cadence when inventory is stable.
On this corridor
Beyond the flight — the US-side work we handle.
CBP entry coordination
We coordinate the commercial invoice, packing list, HTS classification, and broker handoff for CBP entry. Section 301 tariff exposure is flagged at classification, not after arrival.
DDP to the US
Import duty, Section 301 tariffs where applicable, MPF, and customs clearance included. Your cargo arrives cleared — no surprise invoices.
Gateway routing
LAX for West Coast distribution, ORD for the Midwest, JFK for the Northeast, and ATL for the Southeast. We route against your delivery address, not the nearest airport.
Final-mile delivery
From airport release to your warehouse, 3PL, fulfilment centre, or retail address — including appointment delivery.
Transit planner
Pick the service against the date you need the cargo.
Final transit depends on origin pickup, customs, commodity, and the receiving address. The comparison below is the planning range we quote against.
days
Documents & compliance
What CBP needs for an air shipment from China.
Air cargo enters under different filing rules than ocean — ISF does not apply — but CBP entry still runs on accurate HTS classification and Section 301 awareness. We confirm classification and tariff exposure before the cargo flies, because discovering it at arrival is expensive.
| Document | Filed by | When |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial Invoice | Shipper | With AWB |
| Packing List | Shipper | With AWB |
| Air Waybill (AWB) | Carrier / Prodoer | At departure |
| HTS classification | Broker — Prodoer | Before entry |
| CBP entry (form 7501) | Broker — Prodoer coordinates | On arrival |
| Section 301 review | Prodoer | Before booking |
| Customs bond | Importer, single or continuous | Before first entry |
| MPF 0.3464% | Importer | At entry |
| FDA / FCC / CPSC | Importer, product dependent | Before import |
| Battery docs (UN38.3, SDS) | Shipper, if applicable | Before booking |
How it works
One air waybill. Four clear handoffs.
You see what is ready, what is moving, and what CBP still needs before the freight arrives.
01 — Prepare
Confirm cargo & cutoff
We check dimensions, batteries, HTS classification, Section 301 exposure, and the warehouse receiving window.
02 — Collect
Pickup & consolidate
Cartons are collected, photographed, weighed, and matched to the commercial invoice.
03 — Fly
Air waybill & track
Flight milestones and customs status sit in one tracking thread shared with your team.
04 — Deliver
Clear & hand over
We coordinate CBP entry, duty, and final-mile delivery to your warehouse, 3PL, or fulfilment centre.
FAQ
China → USA air freight FAQ
Transit days, chargeable weight, gateway choice, Section 301, batteries, and when express beats air. Don't see yours? An agent answers it in minutes.
How long does air freight take from China to the USA?
Airport to airport is 3–5 days on priority services and 5–8 days on economy. Door to door — including pickup, export handling, CBP entry, and final-mile delivery — usually runs 7–12 days. The variable that moves it most is not the flight but the customs and delivery leg at destination.
How is chargeable weight calculated for air freight to the US?
Air freight prices on chargeable weight: the greater of actual gross weight and volumetric weight calculated from carton dimensions. Electronics moving on this lane are typically dense, so actual gross weight often drives the cost. But light, bulky retail display stock or packaging-heavy consumer goods can flip that calculation. We recalculate from measured cartons at intake so the number does not move after collection.
Which US airports do you ship into?
Los Angeles (LAX) for West Coast distribution, Chicago O'Hare (ORD) for Midwest reach, New York JFK for the Northeast, and Atlanta (ATL) for the Southeast. Each has different onward trucking costs and capacity profiles. We route against your delivery address rather than defaulting to the nearest airport.
Do Section 301 tariffs apply to air freight?
Yes. Section 301 tariffs apply to many China-origin classifications regardless of whether the cargo arrives by air or sea — the tariff follows the HTS classification, not the mode of transport. We confirm your exposure at classification, before the cargo flies, so the landed number reflects what CBP will actually assess.
Can you ship lithium batteries by air to the US?
Yes, when the shipment meets airline and IATA requirements. Send the battery type, watt-hour rating, MSDS, UN38.3 test summary, and packing details so we can confirm the lane before pickup. Hong Kong frequently offers wider carrier choice and capacity for dangerous goods, and we will route through it where that makes the shipment possible.
When is express shipping better than air freight?
For door-to-door parcels under roughly 200 kg, express courier (DHL, FedEx, or UPS) is usually cheaper and simpler — one tracking number, simplified customs, and no separate broker handoff. Above that threshold, consolidated air freight wins on per-kilo cost. We price both when a shipment is near the crossover; see the express page for the courier model.
China → USA air freight
Get a China → USA air-freight comparison in 24 hours.
Share the origin, destination, cargo, and target delivery date. We will return priority and economy options with the customs handoff spelled out.
Get a China → USA air-freight comparison in 24 hours.
Share the origin, destination, cargo, and target delivery date. We will return priority and economy options with the customs handoff spelled out.