20-foot container shipping guide from China to the United States

With the continuous development of global trade, sea transportation has become one of the main modes of international cargo transportation. Among various means of transportation, 20-foot containers have become the first choice for small and medium-sized enterprises and individuals to transport goods due to their moderate capacity and convenient operation. This article will introduce in detail the transportation process of 20-foot containers from China to the United States, related costs, precautions, and how to choose the best transportation plan.

1. Basic Overview of 20-foot Container

1. Specifications of 20-foot container

Twenty-foot container, referred to as TEU (Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit), is one of the international standard containers. Its external dimensions are generally 6.058 meters long, 2.438 meters wide, 2.591 meters high, the internal volume is about 33 cubic meters, and the maximum load is about 28 tons. Twenty-foot container is suitable for the transportation of a variety of goods, including general goods, machinery and equipment, daily necessities, etc.

2. Advantages of 20-foot containers

20-foot containers have the following advantages:

• Economical : Compared with 40-foot containers, 20-foot containers have lower rental and freight rates and are suitable for small and medium-sized cargo transportation.
• Flexibility : Due to its smaller size, 20-foot containers are more flexible during loading, unloading and transportation, and are suitable for use in ports and warehouses with limited space.
• Multi-purpose : Suitable for the transportation of a variety of goods, whether it is bulk goods or pallet goods, it can be loaded well.

2. Transportation Process

1. Choose a freight forwarder

It is very important to choose an experienced freight forwarder. The freight forwarder is responsible for assisting you with a series of tasks from booking, loading, customs declaration to customs clearance at the destination port. When choosing a freight forwarder, you should consider the following factors:

• Reputation and experience : Choose a freight forwarder with good reputation and rich experience to ensure a smooth shipping process.
• Service scope : Ensure that the freight forwarder can provide full services, including door-to-door transportation, warehousing, customs clearance, etc.
• Transparent Fees : Choose a freight forwarder with transparent fees to avoid hidden fees and keep your budget under control.

2. Booking and loading

After confirming the freight forwarder, the next step is booking and loading. Booking means reserving container space with the shipping company. When booking, you need to provide detailed cargo information, including cargo name, quantity, weight, volume, etc. After the booking is successful, the freight forwarder will arrange for the container to be delivered to the designated location for loading.

The following points should be noted during loading:

• Reasonable loading : Ensure that the goods are loaded evenly to avoid overweight and uneven loading to prevent accidents during transportation.
• Secure cargo : Use anti-slip mats, straps and other tools to secure cargo to prevent it from moving during transport.
• Clearly marked : Attach clear labels to each shipment, including the name of the shipment, quantity, destination, etc., to facilitate customs clearance and pickup.

3. Customs declaration and export

After loading is completed, the goods need to be declared. Declaration means submitting the relevant information of the goods to the customs for review and approval. The documents required for declaration include:

• Commercial invoice : details the value, quantity, specifications and other information of the goods.
• Packing List : List of goods in each container.
• Bill of Lading : A document issued by a shipping company to transport goods.
• Certificate of Origin : Prove the origin of goods in order to enjoy preferential tariff policies.

Freight forwarders will usually assist you in preparing these documents and will be responsible for communicating with customs to ensure that the goods are exported smoothly.

4. Maritime transport

After customs clearance, the goods will be loaded onto the ship for sea transportation. The sea transportation time depends on the route and weather conditions. Generally, the transportation time from China to the United States is 15 to 30 days. Common routes include:

• Pacific route : departs from major ports in China (such as Shanghai, Ningbo, and Shenzhen) and crosses the Pacific Ocean to the west coast of the United States (such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle).
• Atlantic route : departs from major ports in China, passes through the Indian Ocean, the Suez Canal, the Atlantic Ocean, and reaches the east coast of the United States (such as New York, Savannah, and Miami).

5. Customs clearance and cargo collection at the port of destination

After the goods arrive at the port of destination, they need to go through customs clearance. Customs clearance means submitting the information of the goods to the destination customs for review and approval. The documents required for customs clearance are similar to those for export declaration, including commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading and certificate of origin.

After customs clearance is completed, the goods will be transferred to the designated warehouse or distribution center and wait for collection. When collecting the goods, you need to provide the bill of lading and relevant identity documents.

3. Transportation costs

The transportation cost of a 20-foot container from China to the United States mainly includes the following parts:

1. Ocean Freight

Ocean freight refers to the transportation fee charged by the shipping company, which is usually calculated based on the standard size of the container. Ocean freight is affected by many factors, including oil prices, routes, seasons, etc.

2. Port charges

Port charges include loading and unloading fees, terminal handling fees, storage fees, etc. These fees vary from port to port and need to be confirmed with the freight forwarder when booking.

3. Customs clearance fee

Customs declaration fees refer to the fees that need to be paid to the customs when goods are imported or exported, including customs declaration agency fees, document fees, etc.

4. Insurance Premium

In order to avoid possible risks during transportation, it is recommended to purchase transportation insurance for the goods. The insurance premium is usually calculated as a certain percentage of the value of the goods.

5. Additional Fees

Possible additional charges include fuel surcharge, emergency risk surcharge, currency adjustment surcharge, etc. These charges need to be confirmed with the freight forwarder when booking.

IV. Precautions

1. Plan ahead

International cargo transportation requires a long time and complicated procedures. It is recommended to plan in advance and reserve enough time for booking, loading, customs declaration and other operations.

2. Choose the right mode of transport

Choose the appropriate mode of transportation based on the quantity, value and timeliness of the goods. If the goods are of high value or need to be delivered quickly, consider air transportation; if the quantity of goods is large and time permits, choose sea transportation.

3. Reasonable cost control

When choosing a transportation plan, you should not only consider the cost, but also the transportation time and risks. Reasonably control costs and choose the most cost-effective transportation plan.

4. Pay attention to laws and regulations

Different countries have different laws and regulations on import and export of goods. It is recommended to understand the relevant regulations of the destination country before transportation to ensure smooth customs clearance of goods.

5. Make sure your documents are complete

Make sure all the documents required for import and export are complete, including commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, certificate of origin, etc. Missing any documents may cause the goods to be delayed or refused entry.

20- foot containers from China to the United States involves multiple links and complex operations, requiring professional knowledge and rich experience. Choosing the right freight forwarder, reasonably controlling costs, planning in advance and ensuring that the documents are complete are the keys to ensuring smooth transportation. I hope this article can provide you with valuable reference and help you successfully complete international cargo transportation.