Commercial Incoterms Optimization
We advise on and manage shipping under FOB (Free on Board), EXW (Ex Works), or DDP (Delivered Duty Paid), ensuring you retain complete control over ocean freight rates and container routing.
Cross-Border Trade · China to United States
Importing from China to the USA: Procurement, Customs & Logistics
Importing from China to the United States requires managing five interconnected operational phases: commercial supplier contracting, product compliance testing, international freight booking under clear Incoterms (FOB, CIF, or DDP), regulatory customs entry with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP including ISF 10+2 filings and tariff payments), and domestic inland drayage to U.S. distribution centers.
For American businesses, importing from China provides manufacturing scale and competitive margins. However, navigating cross-border trade without experienced operational guidance introduces exposure to customs holds, detention fees, Section 301 tariffs, and regulatory non-compliance. Sourcing Lab USA helps coordinate each operational link in the China-to-U.S. supply chain.
Share your project briefDESIGNED AROUND THE PRODUCT
End-to-end import execution without border surprises.
Successful importing begins long before goods reach the port. It requires accurate 10-digit HTS tariff classification, mandatory labeling compliance, continuous supplier oversight during production, pre-shipment quality verification, timely ocean container booking, and seamless customs brokerage coordination.
U.S. Customs Compliance & ISF 10+2
We ensure mandatory Importer Security Filings (ISF) are lodged with CBP at least 24 hours prior to vessel departure, preventing automatic $5,000 CBP late-filing penalties.
HTS Tariff & Section 301 Duty Analysis
We classify your goods under the 10-digit Harmonized Tariff Schedule, calculating general duty rates, Section 301 retaliatory tariffs (List 1-4), and identifying legal duty reduction avenues.
Mandatory U.S. Product Safety Standards
We help identify applicable standards and coordinate testing with qualified laboratories for federal regulatory bodies: Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC/CPSIA), FDA requirements, FCC rules, and California Proposition 65.
A DOCUMENTED PROCESS
The 5 essential stages of China-to-U.S. importing.
- 01
Pre-Import Classification & Compliance Review
Before production begins, we classify your product under the US HTS code, verify applicable duty and tariff rates, and confirm mandatory labeling requirements.
- 02
Manufacturing & Pre-Shipment Inspection
We coordinate on-site production monitoring and pre-shipment quality inspections according to agreed acceptance criteria before balance payments are authorized.
- 03
Export Clearance & ISF 10+2 Submission
Export customs documentation is cleared in China, bills of lading are issued, and the electronic ISF 10+2 filing is lodged with U.S. Customs prior to container loading.
- 04
Ocean/Air Transit & Customs Brokerage
We monitor vessel passage across the Pacific. Prior to U.S. port arrival, qualified customs brokers file CBP entry documentation, duty payments are settled, and cargo releases are coordinated.
- 05
Port Drayage & Final U.S. Warehouse Delivery
Containers are retrieved from the marine terminal to avoid costly port demurrage and trucked directly to your fulfillment warehouse or 3PL.
- Ocean freight (West Coast)
- 14 to 20 days transit
- Transit time from Shanghai/Shenzhen to Los Angeles/Long Beach, port-to-port.
- Ocean freight (East Coast)
- 28 to 35 days transit
- Transit time through Panama Canal to New York/Savannah, port-to-port.
- Air freight expedited
- 5 to 8 days door-to-door
- Commercial air cargo including origin pickup and destination customs clearance.
Customs clearance typically clears within 24 to 48 hours of vessel discharge provided ISF and entry filings are submitted on time.
Review the product specifications, sample requirements, quantities, product pricing and payment terms before approving your order. Delivery and import responsibilities are agreed for each project. See how product supply and order terms work. Use the supplier evidence matrix and quality checkpoint worksheet to prepare the questions for your order.
RELATED RESOURCES
Resources for your sourcing brief.
China-to-U.S. Procurement Overview
Our established procurement, supply terms, and ordering framework.
Freight Sourcing & Logistics
Ocean container booking, air cargo, drayage, and warehouse coordination.
HS Code & Tariff Consulting
Accurate HTS classification and Section 301 tariff mitigation.
Landed Cost Analysis
True landed cost modeling before ordering mass production.
QUESTIONS, ANSWERED
Questions about china-to-u.s. import consulting & logistics coordination.
What documents are required to import goods from China to the United States?
The mandatory import documents include the Commercial Invoice, Packing List, Bill of Lading (or Air Waybill), Importer Security Filing (ISF 10+2), Customs Entry Summary (CBP Form 7501), and any product-specific certificates (such as Children’s Product Certificate CPC or FDA Prior Notice).
What is Section 301 and how does it affect imports from China?
Section 301 is a U.S. trade policy that imposes additional tariffs (ranging from 7.5% to 25% or higher) on thousands of Chinese-origin products across Lists 1 through 4. These tariffs are added on top of the base HTS duty rate and must be factored into your landed-cost calculations. The lists and rates change by executive action, so confirm your product’s current exposure with CBP or your customs broker rather than relying on a published range.
What is an Importer Security Filing (ISF 10+2)?
ISF 10+2 is a mandatory electronic filing required by U.S. Customs for all ocean cargo entering the United States. It consists of 10 data elements from the importer/supplier and 2 from the ocean carrier, and must be submitted at least 24 hours prior to the cargo being loaded onto the vessel in China. Missing or late filings incur a $5,000 fine per shipment.
Should I buy from a Chinese supplier under DDP or FOB terms?
FOB (Free on Board) is generally recommended for experienced buyers because it allows you to select your own trusted freight forwarder, control transit times, and eliminate hidden shipping markups. DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) can be convenient for smaller trial orders but often masks true freight and duty costs.
Do I need an import license to import from China to the USA?
U.S. Customs and Border Protection does not require a general "import license" for most commercial goods. However, you must have an Employer Identification Number (EIN) or Customs Assigned Number to act as the Importer of Record (IOR), and you must secure a Continuous Customs Bond.
Start with your brief
Consult on your China-to-U.S. import project.
Share your product details, order volume, and destination. We will calculate estimated duties, identify compliance requirements, and coordinate logistics.
- 01
We read the brief
We confirm what can be quoted and sampled for your product.
- 02
We reply by email
With the missing information we need, or the next step for the project.
- 03
You get concrete options
Supplier options, pricing, sampling, and production timing for your review.
Or contact us directly