Field guides for US importers buying from China
Freight modes, CBP entry mechanics, UFLPA evidence, factory-side documentation. Written from what our Shenzhen team actually handles on live programs — not restated regulation.
Shipping from China to the US: Methods, Timelines & Costs (2026)
A practical guide for US importers: sea vs air vs express, realistic transit times, port-to-door steps, customs clearance, and what actually drives your landed cost.
US Customs Clearance for China Imports: Process, Documents & Delays (2026)
How a China shipment actually clears CBP: ISF timing, entry filing, duty and Section 301, exam holds, and the document errors that strand containers at the port.
UFLPA Compliance for China Sourcing: Evidence Your Supply Chain Needs
What CBP actually asks for in a UFLPA detention, which commodities are exposed, and how to collect traceability evidence at the factory before your container ships.
Hit an acronym mid-article? Check it here.
FOB, HTS, AQL, ISF — each one maps to money and liability. Reading them loosely is where quote gaps and disputes start.
Risk and cost pass to you once the seller loads the goods at the named port of shipment.
View definition →The code that sets your duty rate and Section 301 exposure — the highest-leverage number in landed cost.
View definition →The smallest run a factory will accept; below it you get no quote or a setup surcharge.
View definition →Final AQL sampling before the container closes — your last practical quality gate.
View definition →Need this applied to your program?
Articles cover the general case. Your category, supplier and dates deserve a direct conversation.
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