China to U.S. Import Costs for Ecommerce Sellers
A planning guide for China to U.S. sourcing scenarios covering landed cost, duties, freight, and margin planning.
Quick Answer
China-to-US import costs add 20-45% on top of supplier price. A $10 product can land at $12-$15 after freight, duty, and fees — before marketplace commissions and advertising.
Why It Matters
China is the largest sourcing market but import costs have increased due to Section 301, de minimis suspension, and freight volatility. Not modeling these costs before ordering is a serious margin risk.
Formula / Framework
Example Scenario
1,000 kitchenware at $8/unit FOB Shenzhen, ocean to LA.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| FOB (1,000 x $8) | $8,000.00 |
| Ocean Freight | $850.00 |
| Standard + 301 Duty | $964.65 |
| Fees | $120.00 |
| Per-unit Landed | $9.93 (+24%) |
Cost Components
| Component | Typical Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| FOB Price | $2-$50/unit | Product + delivery to export port. |
| Ocean Freight | $500-$3,000/container | LCL more expensive per unit. |
| Section 301 | 7.5-25% | Most Chinese goods affected. |
Common Mistakes
- Using FOB as only cost reference
- Forgetting Section 301
- Not factoring LCL premium
- Underestimating peak surcharges
Seller Checklist
- Get FOB and DDP quotes
- Verify Section 301 status
- Compare LCL vs FCL
- Build 15-20% buffer
- Consider alternative origins for tariff-sensitive products
Ready to calculate your costs?
Try China-to-US Duty Calculator →Official Source Note
Duty rates from USITC HTS and USTR Section 301 lists. Freight estimates based on carrier rates — get actual quote before ordering.
Frequently Asked Questions
Still worth sourcing from China?
Yes for many categories — quality and scale unmatched. But model full tariff impact. High-duty products may be better from alternatives.
Typical freight cost China to US?
Ocean LCL $50-150/cbm, FCL $2,000-6,000, Air $3-8/kg. Varies by season and route.
Last reviewed: 2026-07-01