2025-09-08 11:22:23
Shipping From China To Des Moines can be straightforward — if you pick the right route and plan ahead. This guide is written for importers, Amazon FBA sellers and SMEs who need clear, practical answers on transit times, landed costs, customs clearance, and the best routing options (sea FCL/LCL, Hai Ka, air, and intermodal rail + truck). You’ll find lane-specific time and cost ranges, a step-by-step SME checklist, a reusable RFQ template, and a worked landed-cost example so you can compare quotes with confidence. Read on to learn the fastest and most cost-effective ways to get inventory from major Chinese ports and airports into Des Moines — without surprises.
Cheapest: Sea → LA/Long Beach → rail to Chicago/Kansas City → truck to Des Moines — door-to-door ~28–40 days (FCL faster than LCL).
Fastest: Air → ORD/MSP → truck — door-to-door 3–8 days, costs 3–6× sea on $/kg basis.
SMEs: LCL + Hai Ka (sea + trucking) or consolidated sea→rail commonly balance cost and FBA timelines.
Always clarify if quoted price is port-to-port (ocean only) or door-to-door (DDP incl. inland, customs).
Peak season (Q3–Q4) requires 4–6 weeks booking and expect demurrage or premium surcharges.
Document checklist, RFQ template, landed-cost example included below for immediate use.
Note: cost and time ranges are estimates for planning. Confirm live lane rates via Freightos FBX / Freightos FAX / carrier quotes.
Route summary
Air freight (gateways, D2D times & billing)
Sea freight — clear FCL vs LCL & port→city breakdown (port-to-port vs door-to-door)
Intermodal (rail → truck) hubs: Chicago vs Kansas City vs Minneapolis
Customs duties & clearance (time, MPF/HMF, Doc list)
Hai Ka (Sea + Trucking) — full service breakdown
SME checklist & FBA requirements (step-by-step)
Risks, demurrage & dangerous goods (lithium batteries)
RFQ template & landed cost worked example
FAQ (6–8 Qs)
Related Routes
Bulk / cheapest: Ship by sea to Los Angeles / Long Beach → intermodal rail to Chicago or Kansas City → truck to Des Moines. (Use FCL for full-container economics.)
Balanced / SME: LCL + Hai Ka (forwarder handles ocean + customs + trucking to Des Moines or FBA prep).
Urgent / small high-value: Air to ORD (Chicago) or MSP (Minneapolis) then truck to Des Moines.
Navigating air freight from China to the USA can be complex. This guide breaks down the key routes, estimated times, and how pricing works, helping you make informed decisions for your supply chain.
The choice of arrival airport (Gateway) in the USA significantly impacts transit time and cost. Below are our recommended routes from major Chinese airports (Shanghai PVG, Shenzhen SZX, Guangzhou CAN, Beijing PEK).
| U.S. Destination Region | Primary Gateway | Door-to-Door Estimate | Pricing Notes & Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Midwest | ORD (Chicago) | 3-6 business days | Our primary recommended hub. Offers the best balance of cost, frequency, and speed for Midwestern destinations. |
| Upper Midwest | MSP (Minneapolis) | 3-7 business days | Costs are typically similar to ORD. Often a competitive alternative for Minnesota, the Dakotas, and Wisconsin. |
| West Coast / East Coast | LAX (Los Angeles) / JFK (New York) | 4-8 business days | Use with caution: Higher inland trucking costs can apply. Only recommended if airline space or direct pricing to these hubs is favorable. |
Note: The times and notes above are estimates. Actual quotes may vary based on airline schedules, space availability, and final destination. Our door-to-door service includes pickup in China, export customs, air transport, U.S. customs clearance, and final delivery to your door.
Air freight costs are not based on simple per-kg rates. They are calculated using a combination of Chargeable Weight and Weight Break pricing.
A. Chargeable Weight
You pay for whichever weight is greater: the Actual Gross Weight or the Volumetric Weight.
Volumetric Weight Formula (in kg): (Length (cm) x Width (cm) x Height (cm)) / Volumetric Divisor
Our Standard Volumetric Divisor is 6000. (Please confirm this divisor for your specific shipment during quoting, as it can vary by carrier and service).
B. Weight Break Pricing
Shipping rates become more economical as shipment weight increases. Be sure to provide accurate weight for the best pricing.
Standard Weight Breaks: 45-99 kg, 100-299 kg, 300-499 kg, 500-999 kg, 1000+ kg.
Practical Calculation Example:
You have a shipment from SZX to ORD.
Actual Gross Weight: 50 kg
Box Dimensions: 60 cm x 50 cm x 40 cm
Volumetric Weight: (60 x 50 x 40) / 6000 = 20 kg
Chargeable Weight: 50 kg (the greater of the two weights)
Assume the rate for 45-99kg is $6.00/kg
Estimated Cost: 50 kg x $6.00/kg = $300.00
This is a simplified example. Final pricing requires a formal quote.
Key: Always check whether a price is ocean only (port-to-port) or door-to-door (DDP or DDU — includes drayage, rail/truck, customs, local delivery).
West Coast (preferred): Los Angeles / Long Beach — best rail connectivity to Chicago/Kansas City → Des Moines.
East Coast alternatives: New York/New Jersey, Savannah, Norfolk — use when eastbound ocean schedules or pricing beat west coast lanes.
| China Port → US Port | Sea (port-to-port) | Door-to-door to Des Moines (est., incl. rail/truck & customs) | Typical ocean cost (port-to-port) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shanghai → LA/LB | FCL: 18–22 days; LCL: 20–26 days | FCL door-to-door ~28–36 days; LCL door-to-door ~30–38 days | $150–$220 / CBM (ocean only) | LCL adds consolidation time; add inland & clearance for D2D |
| Ningbo → LA/LB | FCL 19–23d; LCL 21–27d | FCL D2D ~29–37d; LCL D2D ~31–39d | $155–$225 / CBM (ocean only) | Use LA for fastest rail west→Midwest |
| Shenzhen / Guangzhou → LA/LB | FCL 18–24d; LCL 20–27d | FCL D2D ~28–38d; LCL D2D ~30–40d | $150–$225 / CBM | South China ports have many sailings |
| Shanghai → NYC / Savannah | FCL 26–30d; LCL 28–33d | D2D ~30–42d (depends on rail/truck) | $180–$255 / CBM | East Coast may be cheaper in some windows |
Cost clarity: Above ocean prices are port-to-port only. For door-to-door (DDP) expectations add $50–$150 / CBM (inland rail + drayage + customs + last mile) — varies by route and weight.
FCL (Full Container Load): fixed container price, best $/CBM when you fill a container. Fewer handling points → lower damage risk; faster at port.
LCL (Less than Container Load): billed per CBM; good for small shipments but adds 2–5 days for consolidation/deconsolidation and more handling.
Recommendation: If you ship >5 CBM, price out FCL; if <2 CBM, LCL/Hai Ka often best.
Chicago (ORD / intermodal hub) — the main U.S. rail hub; fastest rail connections but often busier. Best for most Des Moines inbound via LA→rail→Chicago→truck.
Kansas City — good alternative for some carriers and may be cheaper, but sometimes adds 1–2 days due to rail schedules.
Minneapolis (MSP) — strong air cargo hub; good for air → truck to Des Moines.
Guideline: Choose Chicago for reliability and speed; consider Kansas City when a carrier offers cheaper pricing and your schedule has slack.
| Mode | US customs clearance (typical) |
|---|---|
| Air | 1–3 business days (if docs ready) |
| Sea — FCL | 3–7 business days (port release, inspection possible) |
| Sea — LCL | 5–10 business days (additional consolidator handling) |
HS/HTS code determines duty rate (check HTS database). Examples (illustrative): electronics 0–5%; apparel 10–20%+.
Merchandise Processing Fee (MPF): 0.3464% of declared value (min $27.23, max $528.33 per entry).
Harbor Maintenance Fee (HMF): 0.125% of value on ocean imports.
Anti-dumping / special tariffs: e.g., Section 301 or AD/CVD — check product-specific measures.
Commercial Invoice — from Seller / Supplier.
Packing List — from Supplier.
Bill of Lading (B/L) or Ocean AWB — from Carrier/Forwarder.
ISF (10+2) — Importer Security Filing for ocean imports to US (must be filed 24–72 hours before vessel arrival).
Importer EIN / Tax ID — provided by importer.
Power of Attorney — if customs broker clears on your behalf.
Certificates / Licenses — if product regulated (food, chemicals, electronics).
Pro tip: Pre-file ISF and submit accurate HS codes to reduce inspections and delays.
What Hai Ka includes (typical forwarder service):
Export pickup at supplier factory or consolidation warehouse.
Ocean freight booking and containerization (FCL) or LCL consolidation.
Export customs formalities in China (if required).
Ocean transport to nominated U.S. port.
Import customs clearance (brokered).
Inland trucking or intermodal rail (as arranged).
Last-mile delivery to Des Moines warehouse or Amazon prep/FBA center.
Optional FBA prep & labelling service.
Why SMEs use Hai Ka
Single-vendor solution: forwarder coordinates all legs.
Less vendor juggling: supplier → forwarder handles export, ocean, customs, inland & delivery.
Usually slightly more costly than port-to-port but saves admin and reduces execution risk.
Cost components to expect: ocean freight + drayage + rail intermodal + customs broker fee + last-mile trucking + potential storage/Warehouse handling + FBA prep fees (if selected).
Pre-shipment (supplier stage)
1.Confirm HS/HTS code and approx duty rate.
2.Agree Incoterm: FOB if you handle freight; DDP if you want forwarder to cover duties/taxes.
3.Ensure supplier provides Commercial Invoice and Packing List with accurate dimensions and weights.
Booking & documentation
4. Calculate CBM and chargeable weight (for air).
5. Request FCL and LCL quotes (port-to-port) and door-to-door DDP quotes for apples-to-apples comparison. Use RFQ template below.
6. Pre-file ISF for ocean and prepare importer EIN for customs.
FBA specific
7. Confirm Amazon shipment plan, palletization, carton dimensions, and FNSKU rules.
8. Schedule delivery appointment with Amazon or a prep center if using FBA.
On arrival
9. Track container/airway bill; confirm customs release; monitor demurrage free days.
10. Receive proof of delivery and reconcile landed cost.
Demurrage: charged by carrier when container stays at port beyond free days. Typical range: $50–$150 / container / day (varies by port & carrier).
Detention: charged when container kept outside port beyond free days. Similar daily ranges.
Mitigation: pick up/return containers promptly; use DDP/Hai Ka to minimize your handling; monitor free days and book truck early.
Lithium batteries (cells vs batteries vs contained in equipment) have strict rules. Some types are restricted or require special packaging and docs; some cannot go on passenger aircraft (air rules more restrictive).
Action: disclose battery content to forwarder 7–14 days before shipment; obtain DG paperwork and approved packing; expect higher handling costs or route restrictions.
Origin (city & supplier address)
Export port (if known)
Destination (Des Moines ZIP or final warehouse address)
INCOTERM requested (FOB / EXW / DDP / DDU)
Shipment type: FCL (20’ / 40’ / 40’HC) or LCL or Air Consolidation
Total weight (kg) and CBM (L×W×H in cm per carton)
Commodity description & HS code
Value (CIF / FOB) for customs purposes
Is shipment FBA bound? (Yes/No) — if yes, include Amazon shipment ID & prep requirements
Requested ETA window / latest arrival date
Any DG / lithium batteries? (Yes/No)
Do you want DDP (incl. duties & taxes)? (Yes/No)
Scenario (illustrative)
Commodity: electronics (example HS 8517)
Declared goods value (CIF): $2,000.00
Mode: Air consolidation
Freight: 100 kg @ $6.00 / kg
Insurance: 0.5% of declared value
Duty rate (example): 5%
Calculations (digit-by-digit)
Freight = 100 kg × $6.00/kg = $600.00
Duty = $2,000.00 × 5% = $2,000 × 0.05 = $100.00
MPF = 0.3464% × $2,000 = $2,000 × 0.003464 = $6.928 → MPF min applies, so take $27.23 (min)
Insurance = 0.5% × $2,000 = $10.00
Landed subtotal = Freight + Duty + MPF + Insurance
= $600.00 + $100.00 + $27.23 + $10.00 = $737.23
Notes: Add customs broker fee, domestic drayage / trucking, warehousing, FBA prep & carton/pallet handling as applicable.
How long does sea freight from China to Des Moines take?
~28–40 days door-to-door (depends FCL vs LCL, port, intermodal routing).
Is FCL always cheaper than LCL?
If you have enough volume (>5 CBM or close to filling a container), FCL is usually cheaper per CBM; LCL is better for very small shipments.
Should I use DDP or DDU for Amazon FBA?
For SMEs inexperienced with US import rules, DDP reduces surprises: forwarder handles duties, taxes and clearance. It costs more upfront but lowers delay risk.
Which U.S. port is best for Des Moines?
Los Angeles / Long Beach is generally the best gateway (fast rail links to Chicago/Kansas City then truck to Des Moines).
How to avoid demurrage?
Track free days, schedule timely pickup, or use DDP/Hai Ka so forwarder manages drayage and returns.
What if my product has lithium batteries?
Disclose early. Some batteries require special packing, paperwork, or ground/sea routing only. Expect higher fees and possible delays.
Shipping From China To Los Angeles
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