China to US shipping cost per kg in 2026: reference prices by weight
China-direct parcels to the United States are billed on actual weight: a freight rate per kilogram plus a per-parcel fee. On the economy lane a 0.25 kg parcel costs about USD 8, 1 kg about USD 20 and 5 kg about USD 88. Here are the reference prices by weight, what they leave out, the size limits, and when a US warehouse is cheaper.
How is China to US shipping priced?
A China-direct parcel to the United States is billed in two parts: a freight rate per kilogram and a per-parcel registration fee, both set by weight band. It uses actual weight with a 0.03 kg minimum; volumetric weight is not used. On the September 2026 lane card, the general-goods economy lane is about USD 18.24 per kilogram plus USD 2.09 per parcel between 0.7 and 2 kg, and USD 17.19 per kilogram plus USD 2.09 above 2 kg. Lighter parcels pay a slightly higher rate and fee, for example USD 18.68 per kilogram plus USD 3.29 between 0.2 and 0.3 kg. Fuel is already included. Converted at the 7 October 2026 reference rate of 1 USD = 6.69 RMB.
The China-direct price does not depend on the US delivery address. The only postcode rule is that the express lane does not serve remote postcodes.
What does it cost by weight?
Reference prices for a general-goods parcel, fuel included. Economy is 6–12 working days and standard is 5–8 working days.
0.1 kg: economy USD 6.04, standard USD 6.83. 0.25 kg: economy USD 7.96, standard USD 10.20. 0.5 kg: economy USD 12.48, standard USD 16.74. 1 kg: economy USD 20.33, standard USD 25.86. 2 kg: economy USD 38.57, standard USD 43.95. 3 kg: economy USD 53.66, standard USD 60.99. 5 kg: economy USD 88.04, standard USD 96.86. 10 kg: economy USD 173.99, standard USD 186.55. 20 kg: economy USD 345.89, standard USD 365.92. Both lanes take parcels up to 30 kg.
Apparel has its own economy lane (6–12 working days) and is slightly cheaper at every weight: USD 7.77 at 0.25 kg, USD 12.11 at 0.5 kg, USD 19.58 at 1 kg, USD 37.07 at 2 kg and USD 83.56 at 5 kg. Between economy and the fastest option there are select, priority and express lanes; for a 0.25 kg general-goods parcel they cost USD 9.68, USD 10.76 and USD 12.63.
When is a US warehouse cheaper?
US local fulfilment is priced per order and includes storage, putaway, dispatch, packaging and carriage; fuel, oversize, peak season and a failed delivery are extra. The warehouse that ships is chosen from the destination postcode. On the 7-day service a parcel to New York (10001) costs about USD 5.71 at 0.25 kg, USD 6.99 at 1 kg, USD 7.65 at 2 kg and USD 13.44 at 5 kg. To Los Angeles (90001) it is about USD 4.90, USD 5.70, USD 6.16 and USD 9.68. The 2-day and 3-day services cost more, roughly USD 11 to 40 depending on weight and distance.
On the parcel alone the US warehouse is already cheaper at 0.25 kg, and at 5 kg the gap is about USD 75 per order. The catch is the bulk transfer: stock has to be shipped to the US, cleared and stored before it earns that saving, so add the transfer cost per unit before you compare. Import duty is then paid once on the bulk shipment instead of on every order. Most brands keep light and slow-moving SKUs in China and move heavy, steady sellers to the US.
What is not in these prices?
China warehouse handling (receiving, storage, pick and pack) is confirmed on the formal quote and is not in the parcel price. The US suspended its duty-free de minimis exemption on 29 August 2025, so duty can apply to a low-value parcel; it is quoted separately from logistics. Battery goods use their own lanes and are confirmed per product.
What are the size and weight limits?
One piece per shipment. On the general-goods economy, select and standard lanes the normal size is up to 55 × 40 × 35 cm. A parcel up to 68 × 43 × 43 cm can still ship with an oversize fee of RMB 150 (about USD 22.42), which the calculator adds automatically. The apparel economy lane takes up to 55 × 40 × 35 cm with no oversize option. The maximum weight is 30 kg. Anything larger needs a separate quote, usually as a bulk shipment into the US warehouse.
How do I get a price for my own parcel?
Use the calculator on the China to United States route page: enter the weight, dimensions and cargo type (general, apparel or battery), and a ZIP code if you want the US warehouse options beside China direct. The figures are reference prices from the published cards; the formal quote takes precedence and adds warehouse handling.