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Americas ✈️ Air Freight 🚢 Sea Freight 21 KG

Cost to Ship 21KG from China to United States

What this shipment size actually costs, and whether consolidating up to the next bracket would be cheaper.

USD 3.6/KG Best Rate Now
5 Channels Available
2026-08-14 Last Updated

Shipping 21KG from China to United States costs approximately USD 75 all-in, based on a published rate of USD 3.55 per kilogram. That figure covers freight, duty and tax to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and delivery to your door, with nothing further to pay on arrival.

Estimated total
USD 75 for 21KG
By sea
USD 3.55/kg, 25-45 days
Customs authority
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)

Rates last updated 2026-08-14. Figures are published channel prices for planning; the final quote depends on chargeable weight, cargo class and HS code.

Current Rates — China to United States (21 KG)

🟢 Updated 2026-08-14
Service Mode Rate (USD/KG) Total (21 KG) Details
Best Value LA OA – Parcel Delivery 🚢 Sea Freight USD 3.6 USD 75 View Details →
LA OA – Parcel Delivery 🚢 Sea Freight USD 3.6 USD 76 View Details →
ZIM / Hede – Parcel Delivery 🚢 Sea Freight USD 3.8 USD 79 View Details →
LA OA – Parcel Delivery 🚢 Sea Freight USD 3.8 USD 80 View Details →
ZIM / Hede – Parcel Delivery 🚢 Sea Freight USD 3.8 USD 80 View Details →
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Full Weight-Tier Rate Cards

Detailed per-weight pricing for every active route from China to United States. Each tier reflects the published rate at that exact weight — useful for accurate budgeting at common shipment sizes.

LA OA – Parcel Delivery

🚢 Sea Freight → ZIP 8,9
⭐ Best Value at 21 KG
📅 Updated 2026-08-14 📊 22 weight tiers 💱 USD pricing
Weight Rate (USD/KG) @ 21 KG
12 KG USD 3.89 USD 81.69
13 KG USD 3.71 USD 77.91
14 KG USD 3.55 USD 74.55
15 KG USD 3.42 USD 71.82
16 KG USD 3.31 USD 69.51
17 KG USD 4.02 USD 84.42
18 KG USD 3.89 USD 81.69
19 KG USD 3.76 USD 78.96
20 KG USD 3.65 USD 76.65
21 KG USD 3.55 USD 74.55
22 KG USD 3.46 USD 72.66
23 KG USD 3.68 USD 77.28
30 KG USD 3.19 USD 66.99
50 KG USD 2.68 USD 56.28
100 KG USD 2.13 USD 44.73
150 KG USD 1.73 USD 36.33
200 KG USD 1.64 USD 34.44
505 KG USD 1.36 USD 28.56
850 KG USD 1.41 USD 29.61
1700 KG USD 1.49 USD 31.29
2500 KG USD 1.47 USD 30.87
3400 KG USD 1.23 USD 25.83
View full route details →

LA OA – Parcel Delivery

🚢 Sea Freight → ZIP 97,98,99
📅 Updated 2026-08-14 📊 22 weight tiers 💱 USD pricing
Weight Rate (USD/KG) @ 21 KG
12 KG USD 3.96 USD 83.16
13 KG USD 3.78 USD 79.38
14 KG USD 3.62 USD 76.02
15 KG USD 3.49 USD 73.29
16 KG USD 3.38 USD 70.98
17 KG USD 4.09 USD 85.89
18 KG USD 3.96 USD 83.16
19 KG USD 3.83 USD 80.43
20 KG USD 3.72 USD 78.12
21 KG USD 3.62 USD 76.02
22 KG USD 3.53 USD 74.13
23 KG USD 3.75 USD 78.75
30 KG USD 3.26 USD 68.46
50 KG USD 2.75 USD 57.75
100 KG USD 2.20 USD 46.20
150 KG USD 1.80 USD 37.80
200 KG USD 1.71 USD 35.91
505 KG USD 1.43 USD 30.03
850 KG USD 1.48 USD 31.08
1700 KG USD 1.56 USD 32.76
2500 KG USD 1.54 USD 32.34
3400 KG USD 1.30 USD 27.30
View full route details →

ZIM / Hede – Parcel Delivery

🚢 Sea Freight → ZIP 8,9
📅 Updated 2026-08-14 📊 22 weight tiers 💱 USD pricing
Weight Rate (USD/KG) @ 21 KG
12 KG USD 4.08 USD 85.68
13 KG USD 3.90 USD 81.90
14 KG USD 3.75 USD 78.75
15 KG USD 3.62 USD 76.02
16 KG USD 3.50 USD 73.50
17 KG USD 4.22 USD 88.62
18 KG USD 4.08 USD 85.68
19 KG USD 3.96 USD 83.16
20 KG USD 3.85 USD 80.85
21 KG USD 3.75 USD 78.75
22 KG USD 3.66 USD 76.86
23 KG USD 3.88 USD 81.48
30 KG USD 3.39 USD 71.19
50 KG USD 2.88 USD 60.48
100 KG USD 2.32 USD 48.72
150 KG USD 1.93 USD 40.53
200 KG USD 1.83 USD 38.43
505 KG USD 1.55 USD 32.55
850 KG USD 1.61 USD 33.81
1700 KG USD 1.69 USD 35.49
2500 KG USD 1.67 USD 35.07
3400 KG USD 1.42 USD 29.82
View full route details →

LA OA – Parcel Delivery

🚢 Sea Freight → ZIP 5,6,7
📅 Updated 2026-08-14 📊 22 weight tiers 💱 USD pricing
Weight Rate (USD/KG) @ 21 KG
12 KG USD 4.12 USD 86.52
13 KG USD 3.94 USD 82.74
14 KG USD 3.79 USD 79.59
15 KG USD 3.66 USD 76.86
16 KG USD 3.54 USD 74.34
17 KG USD 4.26 USD 89.46
18 KG USD 4.12 USD 86.52
19 KG USD 4.00 USD 84.00
20 KG USD 3.89 USD 81.69
21 KG USD 3.79 USD 79.59
22 KG USD 3.70 USD 77.70
23 KG USD 3.92 USD 82.32
30 KG USD 3.43 USD 72.03
50 KG USD 2.92 USD 61.32
100 KG USD 2.36 USD 49.56
150 KG USD 1.97 USD 41.37
200 KG USD 1.88 USD 39.48
505 KG USD 1.60 USD 33.60
850 KG USD 1.65 USD 34.65
1700 KG USD 1.73 USD 36.33
2500 KG USD 1.71 USD 35.91
3400 KG USD 1.46 USD 30.66
View full route details →

ZIM / Hede – Parcel Delivery

🚢 Sea Freight → ZIP 97,98,99
📅 Updated 2026-08-14 📊 22 weight tiers 💱 USD pricing
Weight Rate (USD/KG) @ 21 KG
12 KG USD 4.15 USD 87.15
13 KG USD 3.97 USD 83.37
14 KG USD 3.82 USD 80.22
15 KG USD 3.69 USD 77.49
16 KG USD 3.57 USD 74.97
17 KG USD 4.29 USD 90.09
18 KG USD 4.15 USD 87.15
19 KG USD 4.03 USD 84.63
20 KG USD 3.92 USD 82.32
21 KG USD 3.82 USD 80.22
22 KG USD 3.73 USD 78.33
23 KG USD 3.95 USD 82.95
30 KG USD 3.46 USD 72.66
50 KG USD 2.95 USD 61.95
100 KG USD 2.39 USD 50.19
150 KG USD 2.00 USD 42.00
200 KG USD 1.90 USD 39.90
505 KG USD 1.62 USD 34.02
850 KG USD 1.68 USD 35.28
1700 KG USD 1.76 USD 36.96
2500 KG USD 1.74 USD 36.54
3400 KG USD 1.49 USD 31.29
View full route details →

✈️ Air Freight Options

Air Express CN – UPS General USD 10.9/KG →
Air Express CN – UPS General USD 11.0/KG →
Air Express CN – UPS General USD 11.2/KG →

🚢 Sea Freight Options

LA OA – Parcel Delivery USD 2.1/KG →
LA OA – Parcel Delivery USD 2.2/KG →
ZIM / Hede – Parcel Delivery USD 2.3/KG →
🔄 Calculate for a different weight:

Trade Terms Explained — Who Pays for What

The rate above is quoted on one specific trade term. Change the term and you change how much of the journey to United States is already inside the price. The table below maps the eleven common Incoterms® against the twelve cost stages of a door-to-door shipment, so you can see exactly where our responsibility ends and yours begins.

  • Seller — Cost and arrangement sit with the seller / shipper.
  • Buyer — Cost and arrangement sit with the buyer / consignee.
  • Negotiable — Not fixed by the rule — agree it in the contract.
Responsibility for each shipment stage under each Incoterms rule
Term 1 Loading on truck 2 Export customs declaration 3 Carriage to port of export 4 Unloading at port of export 5 Loading on vessel / aircraft 6 Main carriage 7 Cargo insurance 8 Unloading at port of import 9 Loading on truck at import 10 Carriage to destination 11 Import customs clearance 12 Import duties & taxes
EXW Ex Works Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck Buyer Buyer — Export customs declaration Buyer Buyer — Carriage to port of export Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of export Buyer Buyer — Loading on vessel / aircraft Buyer Buyer — Main carriage Buyer Buyer — Cargo insurance Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of import Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck at import Buyer Buyer — Carriage to destination Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes
FCA Free Carrier Seller Seller — Loading on truck Seller Seller — Export customs declaration Buyer Buyer — Carriage to port of export Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of export Buyer Buyer — Loading on vessel / aircraft Buyer Buyer — Main carriage Buyer Buyer — Cargo insurance Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of import Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck at import Buyer Buyer — Carriage to destination Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes
FAS Free Alongside Ship Seller Seller — Loading on truck Seller Seller — Export customs declaration Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export Buyer Buyer — Loading on vessel / aircraft Buyer Buyer — Main carriage Buyer Buyer — Cargo insurance Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of import Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck at import Buyer Buyer — Carriage to destination Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes
FOB Free On Board Seller Seller — Loading on truck Seller Seller — Export customs declaration Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft Buyer Buyer — Main carriage Buyer Buyer — Cargo insurance Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of import Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck at import Buyer Buyer — Carriage to destination Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes
CFR Cost and Freight Seller Seller — Loading on truck Seller Seller — Export customs declaration Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft Seller Seller — Main carriage Buyer Buyer — Cargo insurance Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of import Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck at import Buyer Buyer — Carriage to destination Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes
CIF Cost, Insurance and Freight Seller Seller — Loading on truck Seller Seller — Export customs declaration Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft Seller Seller — Main carriage Seller Seller — Cargo insurance Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of import Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck at import Buyer Buyer — Carriage to destination Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes
CPT Carriage Paid To Seller Seller — Loading on truck Seller Seller — Export customs declaration Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft Seller Seller — Main carriage Negotiable Negotiable — Cargo insurance Seller Seller — Unloading at port of import Seller Seller — Loading on truck at import Seller Seller — Carriage to destination Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes
CIP Carriage and Insurance Paid Seller Seller — Loading on truck Seller Seller — Export customs declaration Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft Seller Seller — Main carriage Seller Seller — Cargo insurance Seller Seller — Unloading at port of import Seller Seller — Loading on truck at import Seller Seller — Carriage to destination Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes
DAT Delivered At Terminal (DPU) Seller Seller — Loading on truck Seller Seller — Export customs declaration Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft Seller Seller — Main carriage Negotiable Negotiable — Cargo insurance Seller Seller — Unloading at port of import Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck at import Buyer Buyer — Carriage to destination Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes
DAP Delivered At Place Seller Seller — Loading on truck Seller Seller — Export customs declaration Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft Seller Seller — Main carriage Negotiable Negotiable — Cargo insurance Seller Seller — Unloading at port of import Seller Seller — Loading on truck at import Seller Seller — Carriage to destination Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes
DDP Delivered Duty Paid Seller Seller — Loading on truck Seller Seller — Export customs declaration Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft Seller Seller — Main carriage Negotiable Negotiable — Cargo insurance Seller Seller — Unloading at port of import Seller Seller — Loading on truck at import Seller Seller — Carriage to destination Seller Seller — Import customs clearance Seller Seller — Import duties & taxes

EXW Ex Works

Buyer takes over at the seller's door and carries every cost from there. Lowest quoted price, highest buyer workload.

FCA Free Carrier

Seller clears the goods for export and hands them to the carrier the buyer nominated.

FAS Free Alongside Ship

Sea and inland waterway only. Seller delivers alongside the vessel; loading is on the buyer.

FOB Free On Board

Sea and inland waterway only. Risk passes once the goods are on board. The most common buying term.

CFR Cost and Freight

Seller pays the main carriage but carries no insurance obligation; risk still passes on loading.

CIF Cost, Insurance and Freight

As CFR, plus the seller must buy and pay for cargo insurance (minimum cover unless you agree more).

CPT Carriage Paid To

Any mode. Seller pays carriage through to the named destination; insurance is not obligatory.

CIP Carriage and Insurance Paid

As CPT, plus the seller must insure the cargo through to the named destination.

DAT Delivered At Terminal (DPU)

Seller delivers unloaded at the named terminal. Renamed DPU (Delivered at Place Unloaded) in Incoterms® 2020.

DAP Delivered At Place

Seller delivers to your address ready for unloading; import clearance and duty stay with the buyer.

DDP Delivered Duty Paid

Seller carries everything through to your door, duty and tax included. Highest quoted price, least buyer workload.

Two things worth flagging. Under CIF and CIP the seller is obliged to buy cargo insurance and pay the premium; under every other term insurance is optional, and we recommend buyers arrange their own cover so a loss or damage in transit is recoverable. And this table is a working summary for planning purposes — the binding definitions are the ones published by the International Chamber of Commerce in the Incoterms® rules, so confirm the exact term wording in your sales contract before you ship.

Price Trend — United States

Historical freight rates from China to United States for 21 KG shipments. Data sourced from live carrier price feeds.

China to United States — Shipping Reference Data

Verified shipping reference data for the China → United States lane:

Main sea gateways Los Angeles/Long Beach, New York/Newark, Savannah
Destination customs authority U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
De-minimis / duty-free threshold USD 800
Import tax & duty regime No federal VAT; duties vary by HTS code (often 0–6.5% for general goods)
Local currency USD
Typical port/airport dwell time 2–5 days
Peak / busy season Aug–Oct (pre-holiday peak)
Conformity & certification FCC for radio devices; FDA Prior Notice for food/supplements
Main air gateways LAX (Los Angeles), ORD (Chicago), JFK (New York)

Thresholds and duty bands are buyer-planning references, not formal customs rulings — confirm the exact HS-code rate for your goods before shipping.

E-Commerce Freight

E-Commerce Small Batch Shipping

The 21 KG range is typical for small e-commerce restock orders and initial trial shipments. Air freight is the standard choice here — it offers the best balance of cost and speed, and most DDP air channels accept shipments from 21 KG upward. This weight falls into the LCL (Less-than-Container-Load) air category.

  • Standard minimum for air freight DDP channels (most require 21 KG+)
  • Common for: phone cases, accessories, clothing, cosmetics
  • Amazon FBA replenishment orders at this weight use air for speed
  • Declare accurate HS codes to avoid customs delays in United States

🧰 Free 3D Loading Tools

Shipping to United States by air or sea? Plan cartons and container loading in 3D before requesting a quote.

📦

3D Carton Packing Calculator

Check how many units truly fit per carton for this United States shipment: the 3D packing tool computes layers, rotation, and protection gaps from your exact product size.

Open Packing Tool →
🚢

3D Container Loading Planner

Sea freight to United States prices by CBM or container — plan 20GP/40GP/40HQ loading in 3D, mix different box sizes, and check utilization before booking.

Open Container Planner →

Which Shipping Method is Best for 21 KG?

Recommended
✈️

Air Freight

Transit: 5–10 business days
Best at: Under 300 KG, time-sensitive cargo
Recommended
🚢

Sea Freight

Transit: 25–45 calendar days
Best at: Over 100 KG, non-urgent cargo
Not cost-effective
🚂

Rail Freight

Transit: 18–28 calendar days
Best at: Europe destinations over 50 KG
Europe only

Transit Times — China to United States

MethodTransit TimeNotes
Air Freight DDP5–10 business daysFrom China warehouse to United States door
Express Courier3–7 business daysDHL/FedEx/UPS door-to-door, good option

What Affects the Shipping Cost to United States?

  • Actual vs. volumetric weight — carriers charge whichever is higher (L×W×H÷6000 for air)
  • Cargo type surcharge — batteries, liquids, and branded goods carry additional fees
  • Peak season surcharges — Chinese New Year (Jan/Feb) and Golden Week (Oct) add 15–30%
  • Destination area — United States may have remote area surcharges for certain postal codes
  • Declared value — customs duties are calculated on CIF value

Customs & Documentation for United States

  • De minimis threshold — shipments below local tax threshold may clear duty-free
  • Required documents: commercial invoice, packing list, and accurate HS codes
  • DDP service includes all import duties — you pay one total price with no surprises
  • Battery and liquid goods require additional certification documents
  • FDA Prior Notice required for food, supplements, and certain health products
  • FCC certification required for electronic devices with radio frequency

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to ship from China to United States?

Current rates for shipping from China to United States start at USD 3.55/KG via LA OA – Parcel Delivery. For 21 KG, the estimated total is approximately USD 75, duty included. Final landed cost depends on the No federal VAT; duties vary by HTS code (often 0–6.5% for general goods) applied by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

What duties and taxes apply when importing into United States?

Imports into United States are assessed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The applicable regime is: No federal VAT; duties vary by HTS code (often 0–6.5% for general goods). The duty-free / de-minimis position is USD 800. Under our DDP service these charges are pre-paid and included in the per-KG price, so there is nothing to settle on arrival.

What is the minimum shipment size for shipping to United States?

Minimums to United States vary by channel: air DDP from about 21 KG (some from 12 KG), sea LCL from roughly 1 CBM, and express courier for single parcels. Below 21 KG, express is usually the most economical way into United States.

In what currency are rates to United States quoted and paid?

Freight to United States is quoted and invoiced in USD; the local currency on the destination side is USD. Payment is typically due before departure (T/T or PayPal), and because it's DDP you settle the full landed cost once — no destination collect charges.

What certifications are required to import into United States?

For regulated goods entering United States, plan for: FCC for radio devices; FDA Prior Notice for food/supplements. Missing conformity paperwork is the most common cause of clearance holds with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), so confirm requirements for your HS code before the cargo leaves China.

How is chargeable weight calculated for United States shipments?

We compare actual gross weight against volumetric weight (L×W×H ÷ 6000 for air) and charge whichever is greater, rounded up to the next kilogram. For 21 KG this matters most when cargo is light but bulky — consolidating cartons can drop you into a cheaper bracket.

When is the busy season for shipping to United States?

Capacity to United States tightens around Aug–Oct (pre-holiday peak), on top of the China-side surcharge windows of Chinese New Year (Jan/Feb) and Golden Week (early Oct). Booking 1–2 weeks earlier during these windows protects both space and rate.

What is DDP shipping to United States and what does it include?

DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) to United States means one all-inclusive price covering freight, the duty/tax due to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and last-mile delivery to your door. The USD 800 de-minimis position is handled for you, and there are no surprise charges at destination.

Shipping to United States by industry

Rates above are lane rates and apply to general cargo. Packing specification, HS classification and the clearance step that matters are all commodity-specific — these guides cover them industry by industry.

All 139 industry guides →

Customs clearance in Usa

Duty and tax position, certification, typical port dwell and what actually holds shipments at this border — plus who files the entry.

Usa clearance requirements →