Shipping to Detroit from China: Costs, Times & Best Routes

This is a practical guide to shipping freight from China to Detroit. It covers all main options: sea, air, and express freight. You will find real cost and transit time comparisons, key customs clearance requirements, and a case study on how an SME optimized its supply chain for cost savings.

 

Whether you're new to importing or have experience, this guide provides the information you need to avoid delays, navigate peak season challenges, and select the most efficient route for your cargo.

Highlights

 

Sea Freight (FCL): 35–50 days | $3,800–$5,500/40HC (via NYNJ/Savannah + drayage)

Air Freight: 5–10 days | $4.50–$8.50/kg (Shanghai→Chicago/DTW)

Express (DHL/UPS): 3–6 days | $6–$15/kg (under 100 kg)

Key Routes: Detroit shipments route via NYC/Savannah ports or Chicago/DTW airports

Customs Must-Do: File ISF 24h before vessel departure to avoid $5k fines

Best for SMEs: LCL costs $120–$180/CBM (via NYC/Savannah consolidation)

Peak Season: Aug–Oct rates surge +30%; book 4–6 weeks early

 

Table of Contents

 

Shipping Modes Compared

Real Costs & Transit Times

Detroit Customs & Ports

SME Case Study: Auto Parts Importer

Risks & Pro Tips

FAQ

Related Routes

 

Detailed Shipping Routes & Port Options for Detroit 

 

 all transit times below are estimates under normal (non-peak) conditions and assume a direct/typical service. Real door-to-door time can be longer because of transshipments, port congestion, customs delays, chassis availability, rail schedules, or peak-season surcharges. Treat numbers as planning guidance — always get a live quote before you commit.

 

1) East Coast all-water route — the usual go-to

 

This is the most common option because it balances time, cost and reliability for cargo headed to Detroit.

Route (simple): Shanghai (SHA) / Ningbo (NGB) → New York / New Jersey (NY/NJ) → customs & port handling → truck or rail to Detroit.

Typical timing (estimate):

Ocean leg (China → NY/NJ): 28–33 days.

Port handling + inland leg to Detroit: 2–7 days (depends on free time, chassis, customs release, rail vs truck).

Door-to-door (typical): ~30–40 days.

 

Best for: regular replenishment, general cargo, Amazon FBA restocks (but check FBA rules separately), auto parts, inventory shipments where cost stability matters.

Watchouts: peak season or port backlog can add days or even 1–2 weeks. Always check whether the sailing is direct or transshipment — transshipments add time.

 

2) South Atlantic route (Savannah) — avoid northern congestion

 

Savannah (SAV) is less crowded than NY/NJ at times and can be a good alternative — especially if your supplier is in South China (Shenzhen / Hong Kong).

Route: Shenzhen (SZX) / Hong Kong (HKG) → Savannah (SAV) → rail (CSX / Norfolk Southern) or truck → Detroit.

Typical timing (estimate):

Ocean leg: 30–35 days.

Port handling + rail/truck to Detroit: 8–10 days (rail schedules, transload time and inland dwell are usually longer than NY/NJ route).

Door-to-door: ~38–45 days.

 

Best for: shippers wanting to avoid NY/NJ congestion, or who serve the Southeast and Midwest; good when carrier schedules to SAV are competitive.

Watchouts: rail schedules and interchange can be the bottleneck. Factor in extra days for rail bookings and possible dray delays.

 

3) West Coast + cross-country rail (L.A. / Long Beach) — when supplier is west

 

If your factory is closer to northern ports or if specific sailings favor the West Coast, this route is an option — but don’t assume shorter sea time = faster door-to-door.

Route: Qingdao (TAO) / Shanghai (SHA) → Los Angeles / Long Beach (LAX/LGB) → double-stack rail (BNSF / Union Pacific) → rail ramp → truck final mile to Detroit.

 

Typical timing (best case):

Ocean leg: 14–18 days.

Port handling & rail transfer: 2–4 days.

Cross-country rail: 12–14 days.

Final truck: 1–2 days.

Door-to-door (typical, smooth ops): ~29–38 days.

If things go sideways (congestion/crew/stacking delays): total can stretch to 40–50+ days.

Best for: suppliers near northern/western Chinese ports, or when carrier schedule makes west coast cheaper. Not ideal if you need consistently fast, predictable door-to-door time.

Watchouts: inland rail capacity and rail ramp congestion can add several days. Also be mindful of rail car availability and demurrage at origin or destination.

 

Quick comparison (at-a-glance)

 

Route	Sea time (est.)	Inland/port (est.)	Door-to-door (est.)	When to pick
East Coast (NY/NJ)	28–33 days	2–7 days	30–40 days	Default choice — balance of speed & cost
South Atlantic (Savannah)	30–35 days	8–10 days	38–45 days	Avoid NY congestion; serve southeast/midwest
West Coast + Rail	14–18 days	15–20 days (incl. transfer)	29–38 days (typical) or 40–50+ (disrupted)	Supplier near west; when schedules/cost justify it

 

Air Freight — Shipping from China to Detroit (plain, practical)

 

Quick assumptions up front: the timings below are estimates for normal (non-peak) conditions, assume documents are correct and the service is a direct flight or a single transfer. If your shipment transships multiple times, hits airport congestion, gets selected for customs inspection, or ships during peak season, add extra days.

 

Step-by-step flow — what happens and how long each step usually takes

Origin prep & pickup (China)

Supplier packs, prepares Commercial Invoice & Packing List, and trucks cargo to the airport freight terminal.

Time: ~0.5–2 days.

 

Airport handling & export clearance (China)

AWB issued, security/acceptance, export customs cleared. Consolidations may wait for other shipments.

Time: ~0.5–2 days (consol may be slower).

 

International flight (China → US gateway)

Pure flight time is ~11–13 hours to the U.S. West Coast; central/east routes take longer or include connections. Allow for handling.

Time: ~1–2 days (direct). Add 1–2 days if transshipment required.

 

U.S. import clearance & airport handling

CBP clearance, possible physical inspection, then move to domestic connection pool or trucking.

Time: ~0.5–2 days (longer if inspected).

 

Domestic leg to Detroit (DTW)

Options: domestic feeder flight into DTW or trucking/rail from the gateway.

From ORD → DTW: ~0.5–1.5 days by truck. From nearby east/central hubs: ~1–2 days. From West Coast by truck: 3–5+ days (or ~1–2 days if using domestic air connection).

Time: ~0.5–3 days (depends on gateway & method).

 

Final mile / delivery

Local delivery to warehouse or consignee; appointment windows may apply.

Time: same day to 1 day.

 

Common door-to-door ranges:

Express couriers (DHL / UPS / FedEx): typically 2–4 days door-to-door (if paperwork is OK and no inspections).

Regular air cargo (consol / ULD): typically 4–8 days; can stretch to 10+ days with transfers, congestion, or inspections.

 

Quick mapping (origin → US gateway → typical door-to-door)

 

Origin (China)	Common US gateway	Door-to-door (estimate)	Note
Shanghai (PVG)	LAX / SFO / SEA / ORD / JFK	4–8 days	Direct or single transfer, docs OK
Guangzhou / Shenzhen (CAN / SZX)	LAX / ORD / JFK / DFW	4–8 days	Often routed via west coast or ORD
Beijing (PEK / PKX)	ORD / JFK / LAX	4–7 days	North China → ORD/JFK common
Chengdu / Hangzhou / Qingdao / Nanjing	via PVG/CAN then gateway	5–9 days	Includes short road move to major hub

All estimates assume non-peak, single transfer, and no customs hold.

 

Decision matrix — quick pick guide

 

Low cost, not urgent (large volume): consider ocean (not covered here).

Medium cost, steady timing: regular air cargo via ORD/NY — balance of cost/time.

High value, urgent: express couriers (DHL / FedEx / UPS) — pay for speed & reliability.

 

Practical checklist (must / strongly recommended / optional)

 

Must do

Confirm INCOTERM (FOB / CIF / DDP) — who pays and when risk transfers.

Prepare Commercial Invoice & Packing List with accurate HS codes and consignee details.

Book early for peak seasons.

 

Strongly recommended

Line up a U.S. customs broker before arrival.

Buy cargo insurance for high-value shipments.

Check consignee (warehouse / FBA) delivery windows and appointment rules.

 

Optional / situational

Use consolidation (consol) for small shipments to save cost (but expect possible wait).

Consider direct ULD or charter for very urgent large loads.

 

Costs & common fee items (what impacts price)

 

FCL vs LCL (full container vs less than container): FCL usually simpler and cheaper per cbm for bigger loads.

Ocean freight (basic rate) — varies by trade lane and carrier.

Bunker/fuel surcharges, PSS/GRI (seasonal adjustments).

Port charges (THC), documentation (B/L), terminal handling, container cleaning.

Inland drayage, rail haul, local delivery, extra stops.

Customs brokerage, duties/taxes, ISF/AMS filing (for US).

Demurrage / detention if you miss free time.

Insurance (highly recommended).

Tip: always confirm INCOTERM (FOB/CIF/DDP) — that decides who pays what and when risk transfers.

 

 Real Costs & Transit Times

 

Sea Freight to Detroit

FCL 40HC: $3,800–$5,500 (via NYNJ/Savannah + drayage)

LCL: $120–$180/CBM (consolidated in NYC/LA; excludes destination fees)

Transit: 30–35 days ocean + 5–7 days rail/truck to Detroit

 

Air Freight to Detroit

Rates: $4.50–$8.50/kg (Shanghai→Chicago/DTW)

Includes: Terminal handling, air waybill

Excludes: Customs clearance, trucking to final Detroit address

 

 Detroit Customs & Ports

 

Key Entry Points:

Ports: New York (NYNJ), Savannah, Los Angeles/Long Beach (for rail)

Airports: Chicago (ORD), Detroit (DTW), New York (JFK)

 

Required Docs:

Commercial Invoice

Packing List

Bill of Lading/Air Waybill

ISF Filing (24 hours before vessel departure from China)

Detroit-specific importer codes (if applicable)

 

 SME Case Study: Auto Parts Importer

Company: MotorCity Components
Shipment: 12 CBM auto parts from Guangzhou to Detroit

Solution:

Chose LCL due to volume (<15 CBM), shipped via Savannah → truck to Detroit

Cost Breakdown:

Ocean Freight: $1,920 ($160/CBM)

Trucking: $850

Customs/Duties: $620

Total: $3,390

Result: Saved 22% vs. air freight; delivered in 42 days.

 Risks & Pro Tips

 

Top Risks:

Peak Surcharges (Aug–Oct): Rates increase 20–30%; capacity tightens

Customs Delays: Incorrect HS codes can cause 3–7 day holds

Winter Delays: Snow impacts Detroit truck/rail operations (Dec–Feb)

 

Pro Tips:

For urgent goods, ship air to Chicago (ORD) + truck to Detroit

Compare drayage quotes from NYC vs. Savannah — rates vary weekly

Use Freightos FBX to check live container rates before booking

Ensure your supplier provides accurate commercial invoices to avoid customs issues

 

 FAQ

 

1. Should I ship to Detroit via East or West Coast?
East Coast (NYNJ/Savannah) is faster and more cost-effective for Detroit. West Coast adds 7–10 days for rail transit.

 

2. FCL vs. LCL for Detroit?
Use FCL for shipments >15 CBM; LCL for smaller volumes.

 

3. How do I track cargo to Detroit?

• Ocean: Use the bill of lading (B/L) number on the shipping line’s website

• Air: Use the air waybill (AWB) number on the airline’s portal

 

4. How long does Detroit customs clearance take?
1–3 days if documents are accurate and complete.

 

5. What’s the best air freight route to Detroit?
Fly into Chicago (ORD) or Detroit (DTW), then truck to your final location.

 

6. Do I need a customs broker in Detroit?
Yes, especially for first-time importers — they handle ISF, filings, and duty payments.

 

7. How can I reduce shipping costs to Detroit?
Consolidate shipments, avoid peak season, and compare multiple forwarder quotes.

 

 Related Routes

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