How-to & Troubleshooting
When first getting started with cross-border e-commerce, almost everyone asks: "How much does sea freight cost per kilogram?" or "How much does it cost to ship a container to the USA by sea?"
Before answering, it’s important to understand how sea freight works. Goods are typically shipped in containers via either **Less than Container Load (LCL)** or **Full Container Load (FCL)** arrangements. Prices also vary depending on the shipping route.
LCL Sea Freight Price per Kilogram:
air line | type of service | Price per species | Convert to per kilogram | remarks | |
West America (LA/LB) | Port to Port | 150-250 yuan | 0.9-1.5 yuan/kg | basic freight, not including charges at the destination port | |
West America | door to door | 200-300 yuan | 1.2-1.8 yuan/kg | including domestic towing and customs clearance and delivery at the destination port | |
East Coast (NY/NJ) | Port to Port | 250-350 yuan | 1.5-2.1 yuan/kg | Longer voyage, higher cost | |
Mitō | door to door | 300-400 yuan | 1.8-2.4 yuan/kg | Full-service, including two-way clearance |
FCL Sea Freight to the USA (Sample Rates):
air line | 20GP | 40GP | 40HQ | air-range |
West America (LA/LB) | 11,000 to 19,000 yuan | 15,000–23,000 yuan | 16,000–24,000 yuan | 12-15 days |
East Coast (NY/NJ) | 18,000–26,000 yuan | 25,000–28,000 yuan | 27,000–30,000 yuan | 25-30 days |
| Container Type | Estimated Price Range (USD) |
| 20-foot container | $2,800 – $4,200 |
| 40-foot container | $4,500 – $6,800 |
| 40-foot high cube | $4,800 – $7,200 |
Please note that additional charges may apply during the actual shipping process, such as:
- Trucking/drayage fees
- Customs declaration fees
- Customs clearance fees
- Storage/warehousing fees
The above information is for reference only. Actual sea freight costs—including the total price to ship a container to the USA—will vary depending on specific shipment details and current market conditions.
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