The shipping prices in 2020 and 2021 accelerated to the point where production companies closed down or paused their activities. In 2024, there is good news for importers since the shipping rates from China have gone down. The rates started declining in January, and this is set to continue up to the peak seasons of 2024. However, the prices are still higher than they were in 2019.
What is the Sea Freight Cost?
Factors affecting sea freight prices mode of shipping
- The container capacity
- The distance between the port of loading and delivery port
- The nature and size of goods
- Oil prices
- Seasons and holidays
- Port Congestion
- Local cost of ports
Ocean Freight Rates Historical Charts for 2021
Will Freight Cost Increase in 2024?
Freight rates will always change due to the unstable shipping market. Right now there is a drop in freight rates, hence it is the best time to import goods from China.
Experts point out that the freight rates will continue dropping by 30% to 40%. However, the freight rates are likely to increase during the peak seasons of 2024. This will be from the month of August to October.
Freight rates will also increase if there is an increase in the demand for goods or if there are container shortages.
Container Shipping Cost from China to the USA in 2024
The USA is a major importer of goods from China. The two countries have good relations in terms of trade. In 2021, China was among the top trading partners for the USA, and it was ranked the biggest source of US imports.
Most importers from the US have popularized container shipping because of its rates and capacity.
For a 20ft container, shipping to the West Coast of the US will cost $8,500 and to the East Coast, it will cost $10,500. For a 40ft container, the freight cost is $15,000 to the West Coast, and to the East Coast, it is $18,000. These are the average rates.
The prices vary depending on where the shipments are to be delivered. They also vary depending on the service you opt for; either door-to-door or port-to-port. Door-to-door service is more expensive but with this service, you will not have to pay for extra costs like a factory-to-port transport fee.
The weight and volume of your shipment also determine the amount you will pay. A kilogram of your shipment will cost an average of $3.
The table below shows the current shipping prices from China to the US for a 20-foot container, according to the TopShipping website.
| PORT OF LOADING | PORT OF DELIVERY | COST($) |
| SHANGHAI | LOS ANGELES |
7500 |
| SHENZHEN | MIAMI |
8000 |
| GUANGZHOU | SAVANNAH |
9800 |
| TIANJIN | HOUSTON |
10500 |
| NINGBO | PORT NORFOLK |
1100 |
The table below shows the current shipping prices from China to the USA for a 40ft container.
| PORT OF LOADING | PORT OF DELIVERY | COST($) |
| SHANGHAI | OAKLAND |
8500 |
| SHENZHEN | NEW YORK |
9500 |
| GUANGZHOU | BALTIMORE |
10200 |
| TIANJIN | NEWARK |
10800 |
| NINGBO | PORTLAND |
9500 |
Container Shipping Cost from China to Canada in 2024
China is among the top trading partners that Canada has. Currently, the top commodities that Canada imports from China include:
- Electrical and electronic equipment
- Machinery, nuclear reactors, and boilers
- Articles of apparel, knit or crocheted
- Plastics
- Furniture
- Optical, photo, technical, and medical apparatus
- Toys, games, and sports requisite
Importers from Canada have several options for shipping their goods from China. These options include air freight, air express, and ocean/sea freight (FCL OR LCL). Shippers that choose ocean freight will be able to get lower prices and can transport goods that are heavy. Their goods will take longer to be delivered though. The transit time from China to Canada ranges from 20 to 30 days.
Factors affecting container shipping costs from China to Canada
Costs vary depending on whether the service you have chosen is door-to-door or port-to-port. Prices for door-to-door services from China to Canada in 2024range from $2.25 to $2.6 per kilogram.
Goods being shipped as FCL cost differently from those that are shipped as LCL. The average cost for LCL shipping from Shanghai costs $679 per CBM.
Also, the distance from the port of loading to the destination port affects the container shipping rates.
Shipping a 20ft container is cheaper compared to shipping a 40ft container. This is due to the fact that a 40ft container has more capacity.
For LCL, shipping from China to Toronto, Canada costs $2-$5 per kilogram. From Ningbo to Toronto, it costs $5-$7 per CBM.
Shipping a 40ft container from either Shanghai, Guangzhou, or Qingdao to Toronto costs $6900.
Top Ports in Canada
- Port of Vancouver
- Port of Montreal
- Port of Prince Rupert
- Port of Halifax
- Port of Saint John
Container Shipping Cost from China to Europe in 2024
Europe is a big continent with several countries including Italy, the UK, Spain, the Netherlands, Germany, and France. Europe imports and also exports goods from China, and this amounts to a high percentage of the total goods it imports and exports. Over the past two years, shipping to Europe increased by 600% due to the coronavirus pandemic. Lockdowns in China affected the prices for transporting goods from China to Europe.
Before shipping goods from China to Europe, importers compare the shipping prices, and that is why most of them choose container shipping. Container shipping is cheaper and flexible. The transit time from China to Europe using sea freight is estimated to be 35 days.
The main ports in Europe are:
- Port of Hamburg – located in Germany
- Port of Antwerp – located in Belgium
- Port of Rotterdam – located in the Netherlands
Some of the factors that affect container shipping rates from China to Europe include:
- Shipping mode – either FCL or LCL
- The distance from the port of loading to the delivery destination
- The weight of goods being shipped
- The form of cargo
The following table shows the container shipping prices from China to Europe
| PORT OF LOADING | DELIVERY PORT | COST($) |
| SHANGHAI | SOUTHAMPTON |
1141 |
| SHANGHAI | FELIXSTOWE |
1193 |
| SHANGHAI | LONDON |
1068 |
| NINGBO | SOUTHAMPTON |
1135 |
| NINGBO | FELIXSTOWE |
1125 |
| NINGBO | LONDON |
1099 |
| SHENZHEN | SOUTHAMPTON |
1155 |
| SHENZHEN | FELIXSTOWE |
1125 |
| SHENZHEN | LONDON |
1035 |
Container Shipping Cost from China to Japan in 2024
Japan, as the world’s third-largest economy, has strong economic ties with China due to their close proximity. Shipping goods from China to Japan is efficient and fast.
Japan imports various goods from China, including electronics, machinery, apparel, plastics, furniture, optical devices, toys, vehicles, and chemicals.
Importers in Japan often opt for ocean freight for its cost-effectiveness and ability to handle heavy goods, despite being slower.
Other shipping methods from China to Japan include air express, air freight.
Ocean freight prices vary based on factors like distance, cargo dimensions, container type, and chosen incoterms.
Common incoterms used for shipments from China to Japan are FOB (Free on Board) and CIF (Cost, Insurance, and Freight).
Under FOB, the supplier is responsible until goods are loaded, while under CIF, the supplier bears responsibility until goods reach the destination port.
For example, shipping a 20ft container from China to Japan under FOB terms costs around $200.
Ports in Japan
- Port of Nagoya
- Port of Tokyo
- Port of Yokohama
- Port of Osaka
How to get the best container shipping rates from China to Japan
To get the best rates when shipping goods from China to Japan:
- Ensure you use good packaging materials that will not increase the volume of your goods
- Consult various carriers before shipping
- Get a reputable freight forwarder to work with you
- Consider consolidating your goods
Container transit time from China to Japan usually ranges from 5 to 21 days. This is actually slow since Japan is close to China. The reason for this is that ships are generally slower, especially when they are carrying very heavy goods.
When will Shipping Price Go Down
Everyone is yearning for plummeting shipping prices. Despite the fact that prices have gone down, they are still high compared to the period before the Covid-19. The main question importers and exporters are asking is: when will the shipping prices go down?
As it was reported in The New York Times, the prices will start stabilizing during mid-2023. This is because it always takes a range of 12 to 18 months for high container prices to reach consumer prices.
The factors that can result in stabilizing the freight costs include:
- Increased container capacity
- Government action
- Increased vessel capacity
- Reduced demand
We can only make speculations on the shipping prices going down, but we expect fluctuations due to the capricious nature of the shipping market.
China’s Shipping Cost FAQ’s
What is the current sea freight cost from China?
The average sea freight cost for shipping goods from China to the USA ranges from $2 to $4 per kilogram. Shipping a 20ft container costs $277, while a 40ft container costs $377.
Why have shipping prices from China gone down in 2024?
Shipping prices have decreased due to lower demand and reduced sales of goods, primarily caused by ongoing lockdowns and closed companies. Additionally, high fuel prices and ample inventories have contributed to the decline in prices.
Will freight costs increase in 2024?
Freight rates are expected to continue dropping by 30% to 40%, but they may increase during the peak seasons of 2024, from August to October. Rates can also rise with increased demand or container shortages.
How much does it cost to ship containers from China to the USA?
The cost of shipping a 20ft container to the West Coast of the USA is around $8,500, while shipping to the East Coast is approximately $10,500. For a 40ft container, the cost is around $15,000 to the West Coast and $18,000 to the East Coast.
What are the container shipping costs from China to Canada in 2024?
Container shipping costs from China to Canada vary depending on factors such as service type (door-to-door or port-to-port) and shipment weight and volume. On average, shipping a 40ft container from Shanghai, Guangzhou, or Qingdao to Toronto costs around $6,900.
What are the container shipping costs from China to Europe in 2024?
Container shipping prices from China to Europe depend on factors like shipping mode (FCL or LCL), distance, weight, and cargo type. As an example, shipping from Shanghai to Southampton costs around $1,141.
How much does it cost to ship containers from China to Japan?
The cost of shipping a 20ft container from China to Japan using FOB incoterms is approximately $200. For LCL, the freight cost is around $60 per cubic meter (167 kg), while FCL rates are about $200 for a 20ft container and $300 for a 40ft container.
When will shipping prices go down?
Shipping prices are expected to stabilize around mid-2023. Factors such as increased container and vessel capacity, government actions, and reduced demand may contribute to subsequent price reductions, although fluctuations are still possible due to market volatility.