Shipping to China from the US: Rates, Rules & Options 2026

Shipping from the US to China takes four to 15 days. Shippo quoted $29.90 for a 1-lb USPS package from San Francisco to Shanghai on April 29, 2026. Merchandise shipments require customs documentation with accurate item descriptions and HS codes. Recipients pay Chinese duties, VAT, and an approximately 10 percent retaliatory tariff on US-origin goods currently in effect through November 2026.

In this article

• What you need to know about US-China shipping in 2026
• Which carriers offer shipping to China
• How much does shipping to China cost
• What your recipient pays at Chinese customs
• What documents you need to ship to China
• What items are prohibited when shipping to China
• Frequently asked questions

What You Need to Know About US-China Shipping in 2026

Two things changed in 2025 that directly affect anyone shipping packages to China: China imposed retaliatory tariffs on US goods, and the US restricted certain technology exports. Both are still in effect.

China's retaliatory tariffs on US goods. After the US imposed steep tariffs on Chinese goods starting in early 2025, China responded with escalating retaliatory tariffs that reached 125 percent on all US-origin goods at their peak in April 2025. A temporary truce in May 2025 brought both sides' rates down substantially. A Trump-Xi meeting in October 2025 extended the reduced rates through November 10, 2026. As of April 2026, China applies an approximately 10 percent supplemental retaliatory tariff on US-origin goods, on top of standard customs duties and VAT. Specific product categories may differ, and the rate is subject to change after November 2026.

A common point of confusion: US de minimis changes. In 2025, the US eliminated its $800 duty-free de minimis exemption—first for goods shipped from China, then for all countries. This affects packages arriving in the US from overseas. It does not apply to packages you are sending from the US to China. China applies its own customs duties to incoming goods. China may assess customs duties on packages based on HS code, declared value, and shipment type. Low-value duty-waiver thresholds under Chinese customs are nuanced—verify current treatment with your carrier or a customs broker rather than assuming any package will clear duty-free.

US export restrictions. The US restricts exports of certain technology items to China under the Export Administration Regulations (EAR), administered by the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS). High-performance semiconductors, AI accelerators, and items on the Commerce Control List with specific classifications may require an export license or be prohibited outright. If you are shipping electronics, software, or any technology product to China, check compliance at bis.doc.gov before shipping. Penalties for unlicensed export can include fines, loss of export privileges, and criminal liability.

Which Carriers Offer Shipping to China from the US?

All four major carriers—USPS, DHL, FedEx, and UPS—serve mainland China. Here's how they compare.

USPS. The most budget-friendly option for packages under 4 lbs. Three service levels: USPS First Class Package International Service (up to 4 lbs and $400 in declared value), USPS Priority Mail International, and USPS Priority Mail Express International. China's country-specific USPS weight maximum is 66 lb for PMI and PMEI. Tracking and delivery confirmation vary by service—FCPIS delivery confirmation is not available to all destinations, so verify before promising end-to-end tracking.

DHL Express. A strong choice for express international shipments, with a brokerage network in China that tends to clear packages quickly. Worth comparing against USPS Priority Mail Express International, especially for packages over two pounds.

FedEx and UPS. Both offer 1-3 day express and 4-5 day economy options with customs brokerage included. Both support DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) shipping, where duties are collected at time of purchase rather than leaving them to the recipient—useful for merchants who want to eliminate customs surprises at delivery. Compare rates across all carriers in Shippo before buying.

How Much Does Shipping to China Cost?

The rates below were pulled from Shippo on April 29, 2026, for packages shipped from San Francisco to Shanghai. Your actual rate will vary by origin zip code, package dimensions, and carrier account. Compare at the time of purchase using the Shippo rate calculator.

FedEx and UPS also serve China with competitive express rates, particularly for heavier commercial shipments. For a side-by-side carrier comparison on any package, see Shippo's international carrier rate comparison.

What Does Your Recipient Pay at Chinese Customs?

When a package from the US arrives in China, your recipient is on the hook for three separate charges: the standard customs duty, a 13 percent VAT, and the current US-origin supplemental tariff.

Chinese customs duty. Rates are set by the HS (Harmonized System) code of the item and vary significantly by category. Electronics often land between five and 10 percent, apparel 14-20 percent or higher, and some categories are zero-rated. China's standard average tariff across categories is approximately 9.3 percent. Use China Customs' tariff schedule or a customs broker to estimate the rate for your specific product.

Chinese VAT. China applies a 13 percent VAT on most imported goods. Agricultural products, books, and some food items qualify for reduced rates of nine percent or lower.

US-origin retaliatory tariff. As of April 2026, China applies an approximately 10 percent supplemental tariff on goods originating in the United States, under the October 2025 trade truce extended through November 2026. This applies on top of the customs duty and VAT.

Worked example. A $100 pair of US-made sneakers shipped to China: using an illustrative 16 percent customs duty ($16) plus approximately 10 percent retaliatory tariff ($10) adds $26 before VAT. VAT is typically calculated on the tariff-inclusive customs value—13 percent of approximately $126 is about $16. Rough total: approximately $42 owed at customs before any brokerage or handling fees. Actual amounts depend on your product's HS code, declared value, and whether the tariff rate changes after November 2026. Some product categories also carry pre-existing Section 301 tariffs from prior trade rounds that were not fully suspended—if you're shipping goods in affected categories, consult a customs broker for a full landed cost picture.

DDU vs. DDP. Most small-parcel shipments ship DDU (Delivered Duty Unpaid), meaning the recipient pays customs on delivery. When that customs notice arrives, the recipient has to respond—pay the duty or the package sits. If they don't pay, it can be returned or seized. FedEx and UPS both offer DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) options, where you collect duties and taxes at checkout and pay them upfront on your customer's behalf. For merchants selling to Chinese consumers, DDP eliminates the "surprise tax" that kills delivery rates and customer satisfaction.

What Documents Do You Need to Ship to China?

Customs delays almost always trace back to one thing: a mismatch between documents. Get the details below right, and clearance is usually straightforward.

Customs documentation. For DHL, FedEx, and UPS shipments, this means a commercial invoice. For USPS shipments, the customs form generated when you buy a label through Shippo serves this function. All documentation should include full names and addresses of shipper and recipient, a detailed item description (not "gift" or "clothing"), the HS code for each item, declared value in US dollars, country of origin (United States), and terms of sale (typically DDU). Values, descriptions, and HS codes must match exactly across all documents—inconsistencies are the leading cause of customs delays.

Air waybill. Generated when you purchase your label through Shippo or directly with a carrier. Confirm the recipient's full address and phone number before printing; missing contact details are a common cause of failed delivery attempts in China. One thing to know: once a package clears US customs and hands off to China Post, there is typically a 5-10 day tracking gap before China Post logs the first scan. This is normal—not a sign the package is lost or held.

Packing list. Required for shipments with multiple line items. Lists the quantity, weight, and dimensions of each item in the package.

Finding your HS code. Search hts.usitc.gov by product description to identify your 10-digit code. China cross-references the first six digits against its own tariff schedule. Inaccurate or vague codes are a primary cause of customs holds. The documentation requirements for other countries are similar—see the guide to international shipping requirements for the UK for another example of standard international paperwork.

Declared value. Declare the accurate fair market value. Undervaluing to reduce duties is customs fraud, creates liability for both shipper and recipient, and is flagged increasingly often by Chinese customs.

What Items Are Prohibited When Shipping to China?

China prohibits the following from entering the country. Shipping these will result in seizure and may create liability for the sender:

• Counterfeit currency, stamps, or financial documents
• Political printed matter or content considered subversive under Chinese law
• Used clothing and textiles (strictly prohibited under Chinese import regulations)
• Items that infringe Chinese trademarks or intellectual property rights
• Controlled substances, narcotics, or chemical precursors
• Unregistered pharmaceuticals, medical devices, or products making medical claims
• Animal products requiring CITES permits (certain fur, ivory, protected species parts)

US export-restricted items. Certain goods cannot legally leave the United States for China without an export license from BIS. Categories with active controls include high-performance semiconductors and GPUs above specified threshold ratings, AI accelerators and related computing hardware, and items on the Commerce Control List with China-specific export controls. Verify compliance at bis.doc.gov before shipping any technology product to China.

Frequently Asked Questions About Shipping to China

How much does it cost to ship a package to China from the US? As of April 2026, shipping a 1-pound package from San Francisco to Shanghai starts at $29.90 via USPS First Class Package International Service (~15 days) and $66.97 via DHL Express Worldwide (~5 days). A 5-pound package runs $82.93 via USPS Priority Mail International or $94.12 via DHL Express. FedEx and UPS are also available—use Shippo to compare all carriers at time of purchase.

Can USPS ship to China? Yes. USPS offers three service levels for China: First Class Package International Service (up to 4 lbs and $400 in declared value), Priority Mail International, and Priority Mail Express International. China's country-specific USPS weight maximum is 66 lb for PMI and PMEI. USPS briefly suspended acceptance of packages arriving from China (inbound to the US) in February 2025 over de minimis policy changes, but outbound US-to-China service was not affected and the suspension was reversed within 24 hours.

Do I pay tariffs when shipping to China from the US? As the sender, you don't pay Chinese customs duties—your recipient does. The recipient pays Chinese customs duty (varies by HS code), 13 percent VAT, and a current approximately 10 percent supplemental tariff on US-origin goods. You are responsible for US export compliance; certain technology items require a BIS export license.

How long does shipping to China take? USPS First Class Package International Service takes approximately 15 days. USPS Priority Mail International takes approximately eight days. DHL Express Worldwide, FedEx International Priority, and UPS Worldwide Express all deliver in one to five business days. Transit times can vary based on customs clearance, Chinese public holidays, and destination city.

What is the cheapest way to ship to China? For packages under 4 pounds, USPS First Class Package International Service is typically the cheapest option—Shippo quoted $29.90 for a 1-pound package from San Francisco to Shanghai on April 29, 2026. For heavier packages or when speed matters, DHL Express often beats USPS Priority Mail Express International on price—compare all carriers at purchase time using Shippo's carrier rate comparison.

Ship to China with Shippo

Shippo pulls live rates from 40+ carriers—USPS, DHL, FedEx, and more—so you can compare before you buy, generate customs forms automatically, and track every shipment from pickup to delivery. Create a free account at goshippo.com.