# Air Freight from China to USA – Rates, Cost & Transit Time 2026

> Air freight from China to USA costs $3–$8 per kg. Current rates, transit times, major airports and a free quote calculator. Updated April 2026.

URL: https://airfreightprice.com/en/china-to-usa-air-freight/

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# Air Freight from China to USA:
Rates, Cost & Transit Time 2026

Current estimated rates, chargeable weight explained, major airports, and a free quote — everything you need before booking your air shipment from China to the USA.

**$3–$8** per kg

**3–7 days** transit

Updated **April 2026**

## Current Air Freight Rates: China to USA

Air freight from China to the USA currently costs between **$3.00 and $8.00 per chargeable kg**, depending on service type, cargo, and season.

Service Type | Rate (per chargeable kg) | Transit Time | Best For | 

**Express Air Freight** | $6.00 – $8.00 | 3–4 days | Urgent, high-value cargo | 

**Standard Air Freight** | $4.00 – $6.00 | 5–7 days | Regular commercial shipments | 

**Consolidated (Economy)** | $3.00 – $4.50 | 7–10 days | Smaller, cost-sensitive loads | 

**Door-to-Door (Air + Truck)** | $5.00 – $9.00 | 5–8 days | Complete logistics solution | 

📅 Rates last reviewed April 2026. Based on IATA market benchmarks. Actual rates vary — [get a real quote below](#quote-form).

## How Is the Price Calculated?

Air freight pricing is based on **chargeable weight** — the higher of actual weight vs. volumetric weight:

- **Volumetric weight** = Length × Width × Height (cm) ÷ 6,000

- **Chargeable weight** = MAX(actual weight, volumetric weight)

- **Base cost** = chargeable weight × rate per kg

- **Add surcharges**: fuel (10–25%), handling, security, documentation (~$25–50), US customs clearance (~$80–200)

📦 Example Calculation

Shipment: 80 kg actual · 100×80×60 cm box
Volumetric weight: 100×80×60 ÷ 6,000 = **80 kg**
Chargeable weight: MAX(80, 80) = **80 kg**
Base rate (standard $5/kg): **$400**
Fuel surcharge (~20%): $80 · Other fees: ~$100
Estimated total: **$580**

## Major Airports: China → USA

### ✈ Origin — China

**PVG** | Shanghai Pudong (main cargo hub) | 

**PEK** | Beijing Capital | 

**CAN** | Guangzhou Baiyun | 

**SZX** | Shenzhen | 

### 🇺🇸 Destination — USA

**LAX** | Los Angeles (Pacific gateway) | 

**JFK** | New York | 

**ORD** | Chicago O’Hare | 

**SFO** | San Francisco | 

## Get a Free Air Freight Quote

**Get a free quote for China to USA air freight.** Email us at [info@airfreightprice.com](mailto:info@airfreightprice.com) with your cargo weight, dimensions, and commodity type. We respond with competitive rates from multiple carriers within hours. Or use our [online quote form](/en/air-freight-quote/).

## Frequently Asked Questions

**How much does air freight from China to USA cost per kg?**
Air freight from China to USA costs between $3.00 and $8.00 per chargeable kg. Express services run $6–$8/kg, standard $4–$6/kg, consolidated from $3/kg. Surcharges add 15–30% on top.

**How long does air freight from China to USA take?**
Standard air freight takes 5–7 days airport-to-airport. Express delivers in 3–4 days. Door-to-door including customs clearance: 5–10 days total.

**What is chargeable weight and why does it matter?**
Chargeable weight is the higher of actual weight vs volumetric weight (L×W×H cm ÷ 6,000). Airlines charge based on whichever is greater. If your cargo is light but bulky, you pay based on volume — which is why accurate dimensions matter as much as weight.

**Which airlines fly cargo from China to USA?**
Major cargo carriers on the China–USA route include Lufthansa Cargo, Emirates SkyCargo, Cathay Pacific Cargo, Korean Air Cargo, Air China Cargo, China Southern Cargo, FedEx Express, and UPS Airlines.

**Is air freight cheaper than sea freight?**
No — sea freight is typically 4–6x cheaper per kg. Air makes sense when goods are time-sensitive, high-value, or perishable, or when sea transit time (25–35 days) would cost more in lost revenue than the air freight premium.