How to Ship to China from the US: A Beginner’s Guide

The world has become minimal thanks to international shipping. Today, to send a gift to a friend in Beijing or an important business document to Shanghai, you don’t need to fly halfway across the planet. All you need to know is how to ship package to China and the nuances to consider when carrying them internationally.

If this is your first time shipping something to China and you’re unsure how to handle it, then this is the place for you! This guide will give a clear explanation of all the steps. We will look into the transportation process, cost, customs, and the benefits of choosing Meest.

Many people think that carriage abroad is complicated and expensive. However, in reality, everything is much simpler if you prepare in advance. Imagine: you pack a parcel, choose a service, fill out the documents, and in a few days or weeks, your package is already on its way to the addressee. However, you need to understand the rules, restrictions, and subtleties of logistics in China to handle everything correctly.

What You Can and Cannot Ship to China

To make shipping to China successful, easy, and fast, you need to know which items are allowed for shipment and which are strictly prohibited. This country has strict rules, and breaking them can lead to a delay or even confiscation of the parcel. Let's start with what is allowed.

There are general rules for international transportation, but China has its own specific rules. Before composing a parcel, make sure that each item is safe and not on the forbidden list. The list will help you navigate:

• clothing, shoes, and accessories: non-standard goods for personal use;
• books, magazines, and printed materials: provided there is no prohibited information;
• electronics, gadgets, and accessories: only with original components and the correct batteries;
• cosmetics and personal hygiene products: allowed for transportation if labeled and contain ingredients;
• food and drinks: only packaged and certified, excluding perishables;
• toys and children's goods: safe and certified for export;
• gift sets and souvenirs: for personal use, not for commercial purposes.

However, there are restrictions. If you want to know how to ship a package to China without problems, avoid the following categories:

• medicines and drugs;
• weapons, ammunition, and explosives;
• animals and plants without special certificates;
• pirated products and counterfeit goods;
• goods that violate copyright or Chinese law.

You will save a lot of time and money if you have this information. In addition, you almost eliminate the likelihood of unpleasant surprises such as a delayed parcel or its return. Even experienced senders sometimes encounter delays due to improper packaging or missing documents.

Step-by-Step: How to Ship from the US to China

You may think that sending a package to China is difficult, expensive, and unusual. However, if you follow the steps, the process becomes transparent and manageable. It is essential to understand several key points: what documents are needed, how to pack things correctly, and which service to choose.

The first thing you should start with is preparing the package. Make sure that your bundle is carefully packed, securely protected, and corresponds to the dimensions accepted by the selected carrier. Many senders underestimate this step, but the packaging determines whether your goods will arrive safely.

So, to send package to China and be sure that it will be successfully delivered to the specified address, use the following step-by-step instructions:

1. Choosing a service and type of delivery. Meest offers several options — standard, express, and business delivery. For small personal parcels, customers often select economy delivery, and for urgent or valuable shipments, the express choice.
2. Registration and ordering. On the Meest website, you should specify the sender's address, the recipient's address, the description, and the quantity of goods. Here you will also find out the approximate expenditure and delivery time, thanks to an online calculator.
3. Preparation of documents. Each international parcel requires a completed invoice and a list of contents. Documents are needed for customs control and to assess the value of the shipment.
4. Packaging and labeling. Carefully pack each item, use protective materials, and pad the space to avoid damage. Do not forget the label with the address and contact information.
5. Drop off the parcel at the Meest point or call the courier. You can take the parcel in person or call the courier who will pick it up from your address. Choose what is convenient for you.
6. Tracking the shipment. After the delivery, your shipment will be assigned a tracking number, which you can use to track the movement of your parcel until receipt.
7. Receiving confirmation of delivery. As soon as the recipient receives the parcel, you will receive a notification that the delivery is complete.

This plan is suitable for both beginners and those who have already dealt with international shipping. The main thing is to follow the steps and carefully check the documents and packaging. If you do everything carefully and check the correctness of the data, you will not have any additional questions or difficulties.

How Long Does It Take to Ship to China?

Delivery time is one of the most critical questions when sending a parcel abroad. Everyone wants to know how many days it will take for the recipient to open their long-awaited package. This is a relative indicator, and it depends on several factors: the selected service, the type of parcel, the route, and customs clearance.

If you need to send a parcel to China for the first time, then you should study all the possible options. Knowing them, you can choose the method that suits you both in terms of timing and cost. You can choose between standard, express, and business delivery. Each of them has its advantages and limitations.

For clarity, let's look at the approximate delivery times:

1. Standard delivery. It usually takes 10–20 business days. This selection will be the most optimal for inexpensive goods and gifts. It is more economical, but sometimes there may be delays at border control or due to transport problems. Consider this feature, and it is better to send so that there is a little time in reserve.
2. Express delivery. In this case, the terms are reduced to 5–10 business days. This option is ideal for urgent shipments, documents, and valuable items. If you need your bundle to be delivered without delays in transit, then consider this method.
3. Business delivery. This transportation option offers customers terms from 3 to 7 business days. Companies usually use it for regular shipment of goods and documents with maximum speed and a guarantee of safety. This method is perfect for business shipments, when every day, or even hour, can be decisive.
4. Combined routes. Sometimes Meest offers hybrid selections, where part of the parcel's journey is by air and part by land transport. This reduces the cost without significantly increasing the terms. This option applies only to routes that you can actually organize.

It is worth mentioning separately the periods of holidays, weather anomalies, or pandemics. At such times, delivery times can increase by 5–10 days. If it is difficult to predict the weather, then everyone knows when the holidays come. You should take these points into account when placing an order to send a parcel to China.

Please note that transit time starts from the moment the parcel is handed over and ends when it passes border control clearance and is delivered to the recipient. Customs in China carefully checks all documents, especially if the shipment's high value is indicated.

Interesting fact: many senders underestimate the time for border control clearance. Sometimes the parcel goes quickly to the airport in the USA and then is delayed for 3–5 days at Chinese customs. Therefore, always plan the shipment, especially if it is a business or gift parcel for an important date.

How Much Does It Cost to Ship to China?

The cost of international transportation is one of the first questions that arises for anyone who wants to send things, gifts, or goods to China. The price depends on several factors: weight, volume, type of parcel, selected service, and additional services. If you are looking for an answer to the question of how much to send a package to China, it is crucial to understand the components of the charge.

Many people think that shipping to China is necessarily expensive. However, the right choice of service and packaging can help to save a lot. The main factor affecting the price is the weight and dimensions of the parcel — the larger and heavier the package, the higher the expenditure.

Some services calculate the price based on the larger of the two indicators: actual weight or volumetric weight. The type of delivery also plays a role: express delivery will charge more than standard, but it allows you to save a lot of time. For business shipments, the price is even higher, but safety and speed are guaranteed.

If you are sending valuable goods, additional insurance increases the price. But this is how you can reduce the risk of loss or damage to the parcel. The price can change significantly due to customs and import fees. Sometimes the sender pays them in advance to speed up clearance on the Chinese side.

The amount of such fees depends on the cost and category of the goods. Finally, seasonal factors are also important. During holidays and peak delivery periods, rates may be higher due to the increased workload of carriers.

For example, a small parcel weighing up to 1 kg via the standard Meest service can сost from $25 to $35, and express delivery of the same weight, from $50 to $60. If you increase the weight and dimensions of the box, the price increases proportionally.

The secret to saving is to use compact packaging, pre-calculated weight, and register the parcel online. Meest provides a convenient calculator that allows you to instantly calculate the cost of the service and choose the best delivery option.

Dealing with Chinese Customs and Import Duties

One of the most challenging parts of international transportation is border control clearance. China carefully checks all incoming shipments. Parcels with a price higher than average deserve special attention.

Each parcel goes through a customs clearance process. The speed with which it reaches the recipient depends on the correct execution of the documents. First of all, you need an invoice, which contains accurate information about the contents, their charge, and purpose.

Such a document helps customs determine which import fees and taxes must be paid. If the information is incomplete or incorrect, the parcel may be delayed or returned to the sender. Therefore, it is better to double-check everything several times before sending to ensure the documents are correct and complete.

China has strict rules for assessing goods and applying fees. Sometimes the cost of customs clearance may exceed the expenditure of delivery. To minimize risks, Meest offers assistance in correctly filling out documents and calculating possible border control fees. Experienced senders know that it is vital to indicate the real price of the goods to avoid understating or overstating the value.

In addition to documents, Chinese customs pay attention to forbidden items. If your package contains prohibited items, they will not be allowed through the border. This includes weapons, drugs, counterfeit goods, as well as products and plants without certificates.

Understanding how Chinese border control works, correctly filling out documents, and knowing potential fees greatly simplify the delivery process and help avoid unexpected delays. Cooperation with a reliable carrier, such as Meest, ensures precise compliance with all regulations and helps to go through the customs clearance procedure quickly.

Why Ship with Meest to China?

When choosing a carrier for international delivery, consider the reliability, speed, price transparency, and quality of service of the company. Meest has established itself as one of the leaders in the field of sending parcels from the USA to China.

The logistics company offers a comprehensive approach that makes international shipping predictable and straightforward. Many customers choose Meest for the following reasons:

• comprehensive service with professional assistance at every stage;
• variety of delivery selections, among which each customer will find a suitable method;
• transparent prices, which you can get before placing an order;
• parcel safety thanks to reliable packaging and proven routes;
• individual approach with a personal manager, help with documents, and advice on optimal routes.

These advantages make Meest an ideal choice for any sender. Cooperation with this service allows you not only to save time but also to be sure that the parcel will arrive at the recipient quickly, safely, and without unnecessary problems.

Conclusion

Sending parcels from the USA to China may seem complicated at first glance, especially if you are doing it for the first time. However, knowing the details, rules, restrictions, and proper paperwork makes the process predictable and manageable, allowing you to avoid delays and problems at customs.

If you understand the delivery times and costs, you will be able to plan expenses and choose the best options. In this case, international shipping becomes an effortless and straightforward task.

Use a reliable carrier like Meest, and you will greatly simplify this process. The logistics company offers a full range of services, from preparing the parcel and issuing an invoice to tracking the shipment and providing support at every stage. Thanks to this, you can easily send a gift, documents, or business goods.

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