How to ship clothing from China to the United States

Shipping clothing from China to the US involves several steps and choices. Here's a clear guide covering methods, costs, documentation, and key considerations:

1. Shipping Methods:

• Air Freight:

  • Best for: Small/urgent shipments (under 500kg), samples, high-value fashion.

  • Pros: Fast (3-8 days), reliable tracking.

  • Cons: Expensive (charged per kg or volumetric weight), less eco-friendly.

  • Options: Door-to-door (simplest), airport-to-airport (cheaper, need customs broker).

• Sea Freight:

  • Best for: Large volumes (over 1-2 CBM), bulk orders, low-to-mid-value items.

  • Pros: Cost-effective per unit (charged per CBM or container), eco-friendly.

  • Cons: Slow (20-40+ days), complex logistics.

  • Options:

    • LCL (Less than Container Load): Share a container. Pay per CBM + fees. Good for smaller shipments.

    • FCL (Full Container Load): Rent entire container (20ft/40ft). Cost-effective for large volumes.

• International Courier (DHL, FedEx, UPS):

  • Best for: Very small parcels (<70kg), urgent samples, B2C.

  • Pros: Extremely fast (2-5 days), door-to-door, easy tracking.

  • Cons: Very expensive for bulk, weight/size limits, may attract customs scrutiny.

• Postal Service (China Post, ePacket, EMS):

  • Best for: Very small, low-value B2C parcels (<2kg).

  • Pros: Cheap, simple (often no formal customs entry under $800).

  • Cons: Slow (15-45+ days), limited tracking, risk of loss/delay, not for commercial bulk.

2. Key Costs Involved:

• Freight Charge: Based on weight (air/courier) or volume (sea).

• Origin Charges: China export fees, documentation, handling, trucking to port/airport.

• Destination Charges: US customs clearance, duties & taxes, port/airport fees, delivery trucking.

• Duties & Taxes:

  • US Import Duty: Varies by clothing type (HTS code). Average duty for apparel is ~11.5% (cotton often higher, synthetics lower). Use the USITC HTS lookup tool.

  • Sales Tax: Collected by most states upon delivery/clearance.

  • De Minimis: Shipments valued under $800 generally enter duty/tax-free via most courier/postal methods (commercial shipments included).

• Insurance: Highly recommended (1-3% of goods value).

3. Essential Documentation:

• Commercial Invoice: MOST CRITICAL. Must include:

  • Detailed description of each item (e.g., "Men's 100% Cotton Knit T-Shirt")
    

  • Quantity, unit value, total value (USD)

  • HTS Code (6-10 digit US Harmonized Tariff Schedule code) for each item

  • Country of Origin ("Made in China")

  • Seller/Buyer details, Incoterms (e.g., FOB Shenzhen, CIF Los Angeles)

• Packing List: Itemized list of contents per package/carton (quantities, weights, dimensions).

• Bill of Lading (Sea) or Air Waybill (Air): Contract with carrier. "Telex Release" common for FCL.

• Certificate of Origin: Sometimes required for duty preferences (rare for China-US).

• Textile Declaration: May be required for customs.

• ISF Filing (Sea Freight Only): Importer Security Filing (10+2 data) must be submitted to US Customs at least 24 hours before loading in China. Your freight forwarder usually handles this.

4. Critical Considerations for Clothing:

• Labeling Compliance: US clothing MUST have permanent labels showing:

  • Fiber content (e.g., "100% Cotton")

  • Country of Origin ("Made in China")

  • Care instructions (washing, drying symbols/text)

  • FTC RN number (if applicable)

• Quotas & Restrictions: While most quotas are gone, certain items (e.g., cotton underwear) may have safeguards. Verify HTS codes.

• Material Restrictions: Ensure fabrics comply with US regulations (e.g., flammability standards - 16 CFR Part 1610, lead/phthalates in childrenswear - CPSIA).

• Counterfeits: Shipping counterfeit branded goods is illegal and will be seized.

• Quality Control: Inspect goods before shipment to avoid costly rejections.

• Freight Forwarder: Highly recommended (especially for sea/air). They handle logistics, documentation, customs clearance, and provide quotes. Choose one experienced in textiles/apparel.

5. Step-by-Step Process:

1. Get Quotes: Contact 3-4 freight forwarders. Provide: Origin/Destination, shipment details (weight, volume, # cartons, value), Incoterms preference.

2. Book & Prepare: Confirm booking with forwarder. Ensure goods are properly packed, labeled, and QC'd.

3. Provide Docs: Submit accurate Commercial Invoice, Packing List, and any other required docs to your forwarder.

4. Origin Handling: Forwarder arranges pickup, export customs, and loading.

5. Transportation: Goods move via chosen method (sea/air/courier).

6. US Customs Clearance: Forwarder/broker files ISF (sea), submits entry docs, pays duties/taxes (you reimburse unless DDP), clears goods.

7. Final Delivery: Goods transported from port/airport to your US warehouse.

Summary: Choose the method based on volume, urgency, and budget. Sea freight (LCL/FCL) is best for cost-effective bulk. Air freight balances speed and cost for medium shipments. Couriers are for speed/small parcels. Documentation accuracy (especially HTS codes and invoice value) is paramount. Partner with a reliable freight forwarder and ensure US labeling compliance to avoid delays and penalties. Always factor in duties and taxes based on your goods' HTS code.