Who This Guide Is For

• US business owners importing finished goods, components, or raw materials from China
• E-commerce sellers on Amazon, Shopify, or D2C brands sourcing private-label products
• Sourcing and procurement managers vetting Chinese suppliers or scaling existing programmes
• Startups bringing a new physical product to market and importing their first production run

What You'll Learn

• How the CBP customs entry process works and when you need a customs broker
• How Section 301 tariffs stack on top of regular HTS duty rates — and how to find your rate
• Which products require FDA, CPSC, or FCC compliance before they can enter the US
• How to calculate true landed cost, with a worked example in USD
• How to vet Chinese suppliers beyond Alibaba badges and platform reviews
• Shipping routes, Incoterms, and freight options from China to major US ports

1. The US–China Import Relationship in 2026

China remains one of the single largest sources of goods imported into the United States, even after several years of tariffs and active policy pressure to diversify supply chains. For a wide range of product categories — electronics, housewares, tools, apparel, accessories, and components — Chinese factories still offer a combination of price, capacity, and supply-chain depth that is difficult to match elsewhere at scale. The practical reality for most US importers is that China stays on the shortlist, but it now has to be sourced more deliberately, with tariffs and compliance built into the cost model from day one. (For the bigger picture, read how US tariffs are reshaping global sourcing in 2026.)

2. What Duties and Tariffs Will You Pay Importing from China?

US import duty on Chinese goods has two layers. First is the regular duty rate set by the product's HTS (Harmonized Tariff Schedule) code — this can be anywhere from 0% to 30%+ depending on the item. Second, and specific to China, are Section 301 tariffs, additional duties layered on top of the regular rate for goods on the Section 301 lists. These additional tariffs vary by product and have changed repeatedly, so the only reliable figure is the current rate for your exact HTS code at the time of entry.

Worked Example: Consumer Goods from China (Customs Value USD 50,000)

Step	Calculation	Amount (USD)
Customs Value	As declared (FOB-based)	50,000
Regular HTS Duty (e.g. 5%)	5% x 50,000	2,500
Section 301 Tariff (e.g. 25%)	25% x 50,000	12,500
Merchandise Processing Fee (approx.)	~0.3464% x 50,000	173
Total import charges	Duty + 301 + MPF	~15,173

The rates above are illustrative only. Section 301 tariffs and HTS rates change frequently — always confirm the current figures for your specific HTS code with your customs broker before ordering. The Merchandise Processing Fee and, for ocean freight, the Harbor Maintenance Fee also apply.

3. How Does US Customs Clearance Work?

US import clearance is handled by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP). For most commercial shipments above the de minimis threshold, you file a formal customs entry, which most importers do through a licensed customs broker. The broker classifies your goods under the correct HTS code, calculates duties and tariffs, and files the entry electronically. You will need a customs bond (single-entry or continuous) to import commercially. The classification step is critical: the HTS code determines both your regular duty and whether Section 301 tariffs apply, so an accurate classification is the foundation of a predictable landed cost.

4. Which Products Need FDA, CPSC, or FCC Compliance?

US product compliance is split across several agencies, and getting it wrong means goods are detained or refused at the border. The FDA regulates food, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices, and food-contact materials. The CPSC regulates consumer product safety — children's products, toys, and many household goods require testing and, for children's products, a Children's Product Certificate. The FCC regulates electronic devices that emit radio frequency, which covers most modern electronics. Confirm which agency rules apply to your product before production, because compliance testing and documentation must be in place before the shipment arrives.

5. How to Find and Vet Chinese Suppliers

Alibaba, Global Sources, Made-in-China.com, and the Canton Fair are the main discovery channels. But discovery is not verification. Beyond platform badges, verify the factory's business registration, distinguish genuine manufacturers from trading companies, arrange an independent factory audit for orders of meaningful size, evaluate pre-production samples carefully, and request references from existing buyers. Classic red flags include prices far below market, demands for 100% payment upfront, and an inability to provide test reports for regulated products. If you would rather have this handled for you, see our guide to choosing the best China sourcing agent.

6. Payment Terms and Protecting Your Money

Common payment methods are telegraphic transfer (typically a 30% deposit with the balance before or after shipment), Letter of Credit for large orders, and Alibaba Trade Assurance for platform orders. The principle that protects you is milestones: tie payments to samples approved and to a passed pre-shipment inspection, rather than paying everything before you have evidence the goods are right. Avoid suppliers who insist on full payment upfront with no inspection rights.

7. Quality Control: Inspect Before the Goods Leave China

Quality problems found after arrival in the US are slow and expensive to fix. The three standard inspection types are Pre-Production Inspection (before production starts), During Production Inspection (when 20–50% is complete), and Pre-Shipment Inspection using AQL sampling (when production is finished but before the goods ship) — our guide to AQL explains how sampling works. For a first order with any new supplier, use an independent third-party inspection firm such as SGS, Bureau Veritas, or QIMA, or a sourcing agent who runs their own QC.

8. Shipping from China to the USA: Ports, Routes, and Incoterms

Most freight moves by sea. The largest gateways are Los Angeles and Long Beach on the West Coast (roughly 14–20 days transit from South China) and New York/New Jersey and Savannah on the East Coast (longer transit via the Panama Canal). Full-container-load (FCL) is most economical for full loads; LCL groupage suits smaller consignments. Air freight is fast (a few days) but costs several times more per kilo, so it suits high-value or urgent goods. FOB is the most common Incoterm for US importers because it gives you control of the main freight leg and visibility of the true cost.

9. What Does a Sourcing Agent Do — and Do You Need One?

A sourcing agent is your representative on the ground in China: finding and verifying suppliers, negotiating prices, managing samples and production, running quality control, and coordinating shipment. For US importers navigating Section 301 tariffs and multi-agency compliance, a capable agent reduces both time and risk. The agent's fee — typically 5–10% of factory value, or a flat service fee — is usually recovered through better factory pricing, fewer quality failures, and avoided delays.

10. Epic Sourcing: How We Help US Businesses Import Smarter

Epic Sourcing is a global product sourcing company connecting businesses with verified manufacturers in China and Vietnam. We work with companies across the United States and worldwide, providing supplier identification, factory audits, quality control and factory audits, compliance guidance, and freight coordination. Get in touch: https://epicsourcing.co/contact

11. FAQ: Importing from China to the USA

Q: How much are import tariffs from China to the USA?

There is no single rate. US import duty on Chinese goods combines the regular HTS duty rate for your product — which can range from 0% to over 30% depending on the item — with any Section 301 tariffs that apply specifically to goods from China. Section 301 duties are layered on top of the regular rate and vary by product, and both the lists and the rates have changed repeatedly over recent years. On top of duties you also pay the Merchandise Processing Fee and, for ocean shipments, the Harbor Maintenance Fee. Because the figures change so often, the only reliable way to know your true rate is to confirm the current duty and Section 301 status for your exact HTS code with a licensed customs broker before you place an order. Building the correct tariff into your landed-cost model from the start is essential — importers who assume the regular HTS rate and forget Section 301 are routinely surprised at the border.

Q: Do I need a customs broker to import from China?

For most commercial shipments, yes — and it is strongly advisable even when not strictly required. A licensed customs broker classifies your goods under the correct HTS code, determines the duties and any Section 301 tariffs, files the formal entry with CBP electronically, and helps you arrange the customs bond you need to import commercially. Misclassification is one of the most common and costly mistakes new importers make, because the HTS code drives both your duty rate and whether additional China tariffs apply. A good broker, ideally working alongside a sourcing agent who has verified the goods in China, gives you a predictable landed cost and a clean entry rather than a detained shipment and unexpected charges.

Q: Which products need FDA or CPSC approval to import from China?

Compliance depends on the product. The FDA regulates food, dietary supplements, cosmetics, drugs, medical devices, and materials that contact food — so kitchenware, supplements, and beauty products commonly fall under its rules. The CPSC regulates consumer product safety, and children's products and toys in particular require third-party testing and a Children's Product Certificate before they can be sold. Electronics that emit radio frequency — which is most modern electronic devices — fall under FCC rules. The key point is that compliance testing and documentation must be arranged before your goods are produced and shipped, not after they arrive, because non-compliant products are detained or refused at the border. Confirm which agency's requirements apply to your specific product before you commit to production.

Q: How long does shipping from China to the USA take?

Sea freight transit time depends on the route. From South China to the West Coast ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, ocean transit is typically around 14–20 days; East Coast ports such as New York/New Jersey and Savannah take longer because the route runs via the Panama Canal. Add several days for customs clearance and inland transport to your warehouse. Counting production time, pre-shipment inspection, ocean transit, and clearance, a realistic door-to-door lead time for a standard commercial order is usually 6–12 weeks. Air freight cuts the transit leg to a few days but costs several times more per kilogram, so it is generally reserved for high-value, low-weight, or time-critical goods.

Q: Can I use a sourcing agent instead of buying on Alibaba directly?

Yes, and for most US importers placing orders of any real size or complexity it is the more effective approach. Alibaba is useful for discovering suppliers and making initial contact, but it is not a quality-control system, a compliance guarantee, or a dependable problem-resolution mechanism, and many listings are trading companies rather than factories. A sourcing agent supplements Alibaba discovery with direct factory verification, pricing negotiated against true manufacturing cost rather than a trading markup, on-the-ground quality inspections, and problem resolution when something goes wrong. For US importers specifically, an agent who understands Section 301 tariffs and FDA, CPSC, and FCC requirements adds a layer of compliance protection that a marketplace simply does not provide. The fee — usually 5–10% of factory value or a flat service fee — is typically offset by better pricing, fewer failures, and avoided delays.

12. Key Takeaways

• US import duty on Chinese goods stacks the regular HTS rate plus any Section 301 tariff — always confirm both for your exact HTS code before ordering.
• Section 301 tariffs and HTS rates change frequently; never rely on last year's figures.
• Use a licensed customs broker for formal CBP entries and to arrange your customs bond.
• FDA, CPSC, and FCC compliance must be in place before goods ship — not after they arrive.
• Pre-shipment inspection in China is the only cost-effective way to control quality.
• FOB is the recommended Incoterm for most US importers.
• Sea freight to LA/Long Beach runs roughly 14–20 days; total door-to-door lead time is usually 6–12 weeks.
• A professional sourcing agent pays for itself for importers placing regular orders of meaningful size. Importing into another market? See our guide to import duties from China to South Africa.