Sea freight from China takes about 14–20 days to the US West Coast, 30–40 days to the US East Coast, 38–50 days to the UK and North Europe on services still routed around Africa, and 14–22 days to Australia, port to port. Door to door, add another 1–2 weeks. Air freight takes about 3–7 days airport to airport.
Key facts
- These are port-to-port times. Door to door is usually 7–15 days longer.
- LCL adds about 5–10 days for consolidation and unpacking.
- Europe: many services still sail around the Cape of Good Hope, adding 10–14 days compared with Suez.
- Air freight: 3–7 days airport to airport, 5–10 days door to door.
- Peak delays: Chinese New Year and the October Golden Week holiday.
Typical sea freight transit times from China (2026)
| Destination | Example ports | Port to port | Door to door (typical) |
|---|---|---|---|
| US West Coast | Los Angeles, Long Beach, Oakland | 14–20 days | 25–35 days |
| US East Coast | New York, Savannah (via Panama) | 30–40 days | 40–50 days |
| UK | Felixstowe, Southampton | 38–50 days via Cape, 30–35 via Suez | 45–60 days |
| North Europe | Rotterdam, Hamburg, Antwerp | 38–50 days via Cape, 30–35 via Suez | 45–60 days |
| Mediterranean | Genoa, Barcelona, Piraeus | 40–50 days via Cape, 22–28 via Suez | 45–60 days |
| Australia | Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane | 14–22 days | 25–35 days |
Times vary by origin port (Shanghai, Ningbo, Shenzhen), carrier and whether the service is direct or transhipped. Check the schedule for your actual sailing.
Why does shipping to Europe still take longer?
Since late 2023, most Asia–Europe services have avoided the Red Sea for security reasons and sailed around the Cape of Good Hope. That adds roughly 10–14 days each way. In 2026, Suez Canal traffic started to recover and some services have returned, but the shift is gradual and depends on the service. Ask your forwarder which route your vessel takes before you commit to a delivery date.
What adds time to door-to-door delivery?
- Origin: collecting from the factory, export customs and waiting for the vessel cut-off (3–7 days)
- LCL consolidation: waiting for the container to fill (adds 5–10 days)
- Transhipment: changing vessels at a hub port
- Destination: unloading, customs clearance and delivery (3–7 days, more if customs inspects)
- Documents: waiting for the original bill of lading. See bill of lading types.
When are delays most likely?
- Chinese New Year: factories close for 2–4 weeks. In 2027 it falls on 6 February, so book well before mid-January.
- Golden Week: 1–7 October each year.
- Peak season: roughly July to October, when space is tight before the holiday season in the US and Europe.
How long does air freight from China take?
Standard air cargo takes about 3–7 days airport to airport and 5–10 days door to door, including customs. Express couriers are usually 3–6 working days door to door. Air is much faster but charged by volume as well as weight. See how air freight chargeable weight is calculated.
What to do next
- Ask your forwarder for the actual vessel schedule and routing, not a general estimate.
- Add 1–2 weeks to the port-to-port time for door-to-door planning.
- Add another week if you ship LCL.
- For Europe, confirm whether the vessel goes via Suez or the Cape.
- Book before Chinese New Year and Golden Week, ideally 3–4 weeks ahead.
- Arrange customs clearance and trucking before arrival to avoid demurrage.
Common mistakes
- Planning on port-to-port time when you need goods in your warehouse
- Forgetting factory closures around Chinese New Year
- Assuming Europe sailings are back to pre-2024 transit times
- Choosing LCL for a tight deadline
Related questions
- FCL vs LCL: which is cheaper for my shipment?
- How is air freight chargeable weight calculated?
- What documents do I need to import goods into the US?
Sources: SeaRates: China to USA sea freight guide 2026, SEKO: Asia–Europe trade lane guide 2026, Worldwide Logistics: Suez Canal update, September 2026, DocShipper: realistic 2026 transit times. Times are typical ranges, not guarantees. Last reviewed October 2026.