2025-09-05 10:45:33
Hey Boise shippers right mix of cost, time, and reliability so your pallets don’t get stuck in customs or delayed at the port. Whether you’re running Amazon FBA or stocking your own warehouse, here’s your local-style guide to doing it right.
Ocean freight is the budget-friendly pick: ~30–45 days, ~$1,700/40’ container (FBX average).
Air freight is lightning fast: 2–7 days, priced per kilo. Good for urgent or high-value cargo.
Drayage to Boise is the kicker: $2,400–$3,000+ per container from Seattle or Portland.
Paperwork matters — a missing ISF or wrong invoice can hold your load for days.
A freight forwarder makes life easier — door-to-door, Amazon prep, customs, the whole deal.
How freight actually reaches Boise
Door-to-door vs. port-to-port services explained
HaiPai & HaiKa hybrid options
Costs you should budget for
Amazon FBA prep for SMBs
Step-by-step shipping plan
FAQs Boise importers always ask
| Mode | Best For | Transit Time | Typical Cost | Why Use It |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ocean FCL | Full containers | 30–45 days | ~$1,724/40' | Best cost/unit for big loads |
| Ocean LCL | Small shipments | 35–50 days | Per CBM | Budget-friendly, longer wait |
| Air Freight | High-value, urgent | 2–7 days | $/kg (live quote) | When time is money |
| Rail + Truck | Heavy pallets | 14–28 days | Mid-range | If schedules align |
| Origin Port | U.S. Port Option | Mode | Door-to-Door Time | Freight Benchmark | Drayage to Boise |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shanghai | LA/Long Beach | FCL | 30-45 days | ~$1,724/40' | $2,400-$3,000 |
| Ningbo | Seattle | FCL | 30-40 days | ~$1,700-$1,850 | $2,500-$2,900 |
| Shenzhen | Oakland | FCL | 35-50 days | ~$60-80/CBM | $2,400-$2,800 |
| Qingdao | Portland | Rail-Truck | 20-28 days | Mid-range | $2,400-$2,700 |
Port of entry: LA, Long Beach, Oakland, Seattle, Portland.
Drayage: Truck or rail to Boise (~$2,400–$3,000/container).
Final delivery: Door-to-Door or port-to-port.
Freight Forwarding: One-stop logistics—booking, customs, and delivery.
Air Freight: Fast-track delivery when speed matters most.
Ocean Freight: FCL & LCL shipments for volume loads.
HaiPai: Ocean + express courier (UPS/FedEx)—faster than ocean, cheaper than pure air.
HaiKa: Ocean + trucking direct to Boise—reliable for big loads.
Door-to-Door: We manage factory pickup, shipping, customs, and delivery.
Port-to-Port: You save costs by handling last-mile trucking.
Amazon FBA Support: We palletize, label, and prep per FBA rules—perfect for SMB sellers in Boise scaling up.
Commercial Invoice (DHL template works great)
Packing List
Bill of Lading (ocean) or Air Waybill
ISF Filing (ocean only)
Importer ID / EIN
Amazon Shipment ID (if FBA)
Ocean freight (China → West Coast): ~$1,724/40’ container (market rate).
Air freight: Varies by weight/season—check Freightos Air Index.
Drayage (Seattle → Boise): ~$2,400–$3,000/container.
Extras: Customs clearance, insurance, chassis fees, and storage if delayed.
all-in quote (freight + drayage + fees).
Send us your SKUs, weights, and pickup address.
We suggest the best mode (ocean, air, HaiPai, HaiKa).
You pick: door-to-door or port-to-port.
We book space, prep docs, and clear customs.
You track shipments live.
We deliver to Boise (warehouse, FBA, or your doorstep).
| Service | What It Means | Best For | Cost | Why Choose It |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Door-to-Door | Pickup at factory → shipping → customs → Boise delivery | SMBs & FBA sellers | Higher upfront, all-in | Zero stress, no hidden fees |
| Port-to-Port | You handle last-mile trucking | Importers with own logistics | Lower base cost | Good if you have a trucker |
| HaiPai | Ocean + UPS/FedEx courier | Mid-size, time-sensitive shipments | Mid-range | Faster than ocean, cheaper than air |
| HaIKa | Ocean and truck direct to Boise | Big pallets/containers | Mid-range | Cost-efficient & reliable |
| Air Freight | Air cargo: 2–7 days | Urgent/high-value | Higher per kg | Fastest option |
| Ocean Freight | FCL or LCL | Large shipments | Lowest per unit | Best long-term savings |
| Amazon FBA Prep | Palletize, label, prep | FBA sellers | Service add-on | Saves time, avoids FBA rejections |
| Service Option | Transit Time | Est. Total Cost | What's Included | Best Fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Door-to-Door | 32-40 days | ~$6,200-$6,800 | Ocean freight, customs, drayage, delivery to Boise | SMBs & FBA sellers who want "no surprises" |
| HaiKa | 33-42 days | ~$5,800-$6,300 | Ocean freight + trucking direct to Boise | Cost-conscious importers moving pallets/containers |
| HalPal | 22-28 days | ~$6,500-$7,000 | Ocean freight + UPS/FedEx last-mile | Faster delivery for mid-size FBA shipments |
| Air Freight | 5-8 days | ~$8,500-$10,500 | Airport-to-Boise delivery + customs | Urgent, high-value shipments |
Sometimes, yeah. Here’s the real picture:
Ocean freight: West Coast ports like LA, Long Beach, and even Seattle get backed up. That can tack on 7–14 days before your container even hits the road to Boise.
Rail freight: Rail out of Portland or Seattle isn’t always on time either. Weather, track congestion, or labor slowdowns can cause hiccups.
Air freight: Way faster (5–8 days total), but space gets tight in peak season, and prices jump quickly.
What you can do if your shipment’s delayed:
Track in real time: Use your forwarder’s tracking portal or DHL/Freightos’ systems. Don’t wait—stay on top of status updates.
Talk to your forwarder: They can reroute through Oakland or Portland if LA/Long Beach is jammed.
Plan a buffer: If you need stock by a certain date (say Amazon FBA check-in before Q4), ship 2–3 weeks earlier than you think you should.
Mix modes: Send part by sea (cheaper bulk) and a smaller load by air (to keep sales rolling).
Boise example: One of our FBA clients shipped a 40’ from Ningbo. The vessel was on time, but Seattle port was jammed—truckers couldn’t get it out for 9 extra days. Because they also sent a pallet by air, their Amazon listing never went out of stock.
For shipping from China to Boise, is DHL or FedEx cheaper?
Depends on what you’re moving and how fast you need it:
Small parcels (under 50 lbs): DHL usually comes in a little cheaper out of China, especially if you’re sending to a Boise home or Amazon FBA center.
Bigger boxes/heavy shipments: FedEx sometimes wins on bulk rates, but it really depends on your account and discounts.
Transit time: Both land in Boise in about 5–7 days. DHL can be a hair faster on customs clearance out of Asia.
Hidden fees: Watch for residential delivery and oversized package charges—those sneak up on you no matter which carrier you pick.
Boise example: One of our FBA sellers shipped 200 lbs of electronics from Shenzhen. DHL quoted $980 all-in; FedEx was $1,120. Both hit the Boise FBA warehouse in 6 days, but DHL saved them about $140.
What’s the cheapest way to ship from China to Boise?
Ocean freight is your best bet if you care about cost.
FCL (Full Container Load): Around $1,700–$1,900 from China to the West Coast (FBX 2025), plus $2,400–$3,000 drayage into Boise. Still cheaper per unit than anything else.
LCL (Less than Container Load): You only pay for the space you use. Takes a little longer, but it’s great for mid-size loads.
HaiKa (Sea + Truck): A popular budget option—ocean freight to Seattle/Portland, then trucked to Boise. Cuts costs while staying reliable.
Boise example: An Amazon FBA seller moved 10 pallets (about half a container) from Ningbo. Their total Door-to-Boise landed cost was roughly $5,200 with ocean + truck. By air, that same load would’ve been closer to $9,000.
Q1: How long from China to Boise by sea?
A: ~30–45 days door-to-door.
Q2: How much does drayage to Boise cost?
A: $2,400–$3,000 per 40’ container (Seattle/Portland to Boise).
Q3: What’s the cheapest option for SMEs?
A: LCL or HaiPai (sea + express).
Q4: Is air freight worth it?
A: Yes, for urgent or high-value shipments. Transit: 2–7 days.
Q5: Can I ship rail from China to Boise?
A: Yes, via China-Europe rail to the U.S. West Coast + truck. Transit: 14–28 days.
Q6: Do I need a customs broker?
A: Yes, we handle this for you.
Q7: What docs do I need for Amazon FBA?
A: Shipment ID, carton labels, pallet requirements.
Q8: What’s HaiKa?
A: Sea freight + trucking inland to Boise.
Q9: How do I avoid hidden fees?
A: Always ask for an all-in quote: freight + fees + customs + drayage.
Q10: Can you handle door-to-door delivery?
A: Absolutely—from the factory in China to the Boise warehouse or FBA center.
Q11: Which ports are best for Boise?
A: West Coast: Seattle/Portland (shorter inland). The East Coast (Savannah/Charleston) is a backup.
Q12: What’s the risk if paperwork is wrong?
A: Customs delays, storage fees, and possible fines.
Shipping from China to Boise doesn’t have to be complicated. Pick the right mode, factor in drayage, keep docs tight, and work with a forwarder who knows both ocean and inland legs. Whether it’s door-to-door, HaiPai, HaiKa, or Amazon FBA prep, we’ve got you covered.
Forest Leopard International Logistics Co.
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