Firstly, it’s important to differentiate between air freight and international express services. Air freight refers to the transportation of goods via aircraft, which is then followed by customs clearance and the payment of duties in the destination country. After these procedures, the goods are handed over to local courier companies for final delivery. This method is known as “door-to-door” service, which includes customs clearance and delivery to the recipient’s door.
1. Handover to Freight Forwarder And Flight Arrangement (3-5Days)
The process begins with the consignor in China handing over the goods to a freight forwarder. This is the starting point of the journey, and it’s where the timeline for delivery begins.
Once the goods are in the hands of the freight forwarder, they arrange for a flight. It typically takes about 3-5 days for the goods to be scheduled on a flight, depending on the availability and the specific route.
2. Flight to the US (1-2 Days)
The flight from China to the United States usually takes approximately 1 day, depending on the distance and the layovers.
3. Customs Clearance and Duty Payment (1-2 Days)
Upon arrival at a US airport, the goods enter the customs clearance process, which can take 1-2 working days. During this time, any necessary duties and taxes are paid by Freight Forwarding , allowing the goods to be legally entered into the United States.
4. Transport to Warehouse (1-2 Days)
After customs clearance, the goods are transported to a warehouse in the United States. This process typically takes 1-2 days.
5. Courier Pickup (1-2 Days)
Once the goods are at the warehouse, they are ready for pickup by a local courier service. The pickup process itself usually takes 1-2 days.
6. Local Courier Delivery (2-5 Days)
The final leg of the journey is the delivery to the customer’s door in the United States. This can take an additional 2-5 days, depending on the location within the country.
7. Total Transit Time (8-15 Days)
From the moment the goods are handed over to the freight forwarder in China to the time they are received by the customer in the United States, the total transit time can range from a minimum of 8 days to a maximum of 15 days. This includes all the stages mentioned above, from Ship to freight forwarder to final delivery.
Case Example
In the case illustrated above, you can see a visual representation of the shipping timeline, highlighting each stage and the approximate time it takes for the goods to move from China to the United States.
By understanding the intricacies of the shipping process, customers can better plan for the arrival of their goods and manage their expectations regarding delivery times. This detailed breakdown ensures that both businesses and individuals are well-informed about the “door-to-door” air freight service from China to the US.