USA Customs Clearance
Licensed US Customs Brokers for China Imports.
Every shipment entering the United States requires formal customs entry filed by a licensed US Customs Broker. For China-sourced goods, this process is especially complex — Section 301 tariffs, antidumping duties, ISF filing requirements, and CBP enforcement priorities all add layers of compliance risk that an inexperienced broker can miss. Freight China Logistics partners with a network of licensed, experienced US customs brokers who specialize in China import entries. We clear air freight and ocean freight through every major US port — accurately, quickly, and fully compliant with CBP requirements.
Our USA Customs Brokerage Services
Formal Entry Filing
Our licensed brokers prepare and transmit Type 01 (Formal Entry) and Type 11 (Informal Entry) customs entries to US Customs and Border Protection via ACE (Automated Commercial Environment). We classify every commodity using the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), calculate applicable duties and fees, and transmit before cargo arrives to ensure immediate release upon arrival.
ISF — Import Security Filing
Import Security Filing (10+2) is mandatory for all ocean freight entering the USA. ISF must be filed at least 24 hours before cargo is loaded aboard the vessel in China. Our ISF team monitors your shipment departures and files accurately and on time — protecting you from CBP penalty holds and liquidated damages.
Section 301 & ADD/CVD Compliance
China imports are subject to Section 301 tariffs (up to 25%), antidumping duties (ADD), and countervailing duties (CVD) depending on the commodity. Our compliance team reviews every entry for applicable additional duty rates, first sale valuation opportunities, and exclusion eligibility — so you never pay more than required.
Port-to-Door Last Mile Delivery
After customs clearance, your freight needs to get to your warehouse or customer. We offer domestic trucking and intermodal delivery from every major US port to any zip code in the continental US. FCL, LCL, air freight — all modes handled in one transaction.
US Ports We Clear Through
Our customs broker network is licensed and active at every major US ocean port and international air cargo gateway. West Coast, East Coast, Gulf — we clear freight wherever it lands.
| Port | Code | Region |
|---|---|---|
| Long Beach | USLGB | West Coast |
| Los Angeles | USLSA | West Coast |
| Oakland | USOAK | West Coast |
| Seattle / Tacoma | USSEA / USTAC | West Coast |
| Portland, OR | USPLD | West Coast |
| New York / NJ | USNYK | East Coast |
| Baltimore | USBAL | East Coast |
| Savannah | USSAV | East Coast |
| Charleston, SC | USCHA | East Coast |
| Miami | USMIA | East Coast / Gulf |
| Houston | USHOU | Gulf Coast |
| New Orleans | USNOL | Gulf Coast |
| Boston | USBOS | Northeast |
| Philadelphia | USPHI | Northeast |
Why China Importers Trust Freight China
24/7 Broker Access
Customs doesn't keep business hours. CBP exams, detentions, and holds happen at all hours. Our customs team is reachable around the clock for urgent clearance issues, port exams, and time-sensitive releases.
Direct ACE Connectivity
We transmit all entries directly through the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE), CBP's official trade processing system. Direct connectivity means faster processing, fewer errors, and immediate status visibility on every shipment.
China Specialist Experience
Not all customs brokers are equal. Our team processes thousands of China import entries annually — electronics, textiles, machinery, chemicals, and consumer goods. We know the duty structures, the compliance pitfalls, and the CBP exam patterns for China-origin freight.
China Import Compliance — Beyond Customs Clearance
Customs clearance gets your freight through the port. But staying compliant over the long term requires ongoing attention to tariff classifications, Section 301 exclusion filings, first sale valuation programs, and binding ruling applications.
Our partner platform FreightClear.com provides dedicated China import compliance services including:
- HTS classification review and binding ruling support
- Section 301 tariff exclusion identification
- Continous Bonds
- FDA, EPA, DOT, GOV Compliance
- Importer Security Filing (ISF) management
- Duty Drawback
Current Rates — June 2026
Section 301 Tariffs: Current Status — June 2026
| List | Coverage | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| List 1 | ~$34B in goods (machinery, electronics, aerospace) | 25% |
| List 2 | ~$16B in goods (chemicals, motorcycles, trains) | 25% |
| List 3 | ~$200B in goods (most manufactured goods, consumer products) | 25% |
| List 4A | Consumer goods (apparel, appliances, electronics accessories) | 25% |
Transit Times
Contact our team for specific transit time estimates for your route and cargo type.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do I need a customs broker to import from China?
You’re not legally required to use a broker — you can file customs entries yourself. However, with Section 301 tariffs, UFLPA enforcement, complex HTS classification, and CBP exams, virtually all commercial importers use a licensed customs broker. The cost ($150–$350 per entry) is trivial compared to the risk of a $5,000 ISF fine or a 10-day intensive exam.
Q: What is the ISF filing deadline for China ocean freight?
ISF must be filed at least 72 hours before the vessel departs from the Chinese port. For China-to-LA routes, that means filing while the cargo is still being loaded. We file ISF immediately after booking confirmation — do not leave this to the last minute.
Q: How much does US customs clearance cost?
A typical customs clearance for a China import runs $150–$350 in brokerage fees. Add: CBP Merchandise Processing Fee (MPF) — 0.3464% of entered value, min $31.67, max $614.35. Harbor Maintenance Fee (HMF) — 0.125% of cargo value (ocean only). Plus any applicable duties (MFN + Section 301 + IEEPA).
Q: How long does US customs clearance take?
Most entries clear in 1–3 business days with no exam. A documentary exam adds 1–3 days. A tailgate exam adds 2–5 days. An intensive exam can add 5–15+ days. Working with a licensed broker, having complete documentation, and correct HTS codes are the best ways to minimize clearance time.
Q: What Section 301 tariff rate applies to my goods?
It depends on your 10-digit HTS code. Use hts.usitc.gov to look up your product. If Section 301 applies, you’ll see the additional duty rate in the “Additional Duties” column. With IEEPA tariffs also in play, total rates on some China goods now exceed 50%. Always verify before ordering — it dramatically affects your landed cost. See our [Section 301 tariffs guide](/section-301-tariffs) for more detail.
Q: What is the UFLPA and how does it affect China imports?
The Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) creates a rebuttable presumption that goods mined, produced, or manufactured wholly or in part in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region were made with forced labor and are therefore prohibited. If CBP suspects a supply chain link to Xinjiang, it can detain your goods. You must provide documentation proving the supply chain is free of Xinjiang-sourced materials to get your cargo released. This affects solar panels, cotton, polysilicon, tomatoes, and many other product categories.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do I need a customs broker to import from China?
You’re not legally required to use a broker — you can file customs entries yourself. However, with Section 301 tariffs, UFLPA enforcement, complex HTS classification, and CBP exams, virtually all commercial importers use a licensed customs broker. The cost ($150–$350 per entry) is trivial compared to the risk of a $5,000 ISF fine or a 10-day intensive exam.
Q: What is the ISF filing deadline for China ocean freight?
ISF must be filed at least 72 hours before the vessel departs from the Chinese port. For China-to-LA routes, that means filing while the cargo is still being loaded. We file ISF immediately after booking confirmation — do not leave this to the last minute.
Q: How much does US customs clearance cost?
A typical customs clearance for a China import runs $150–$350 in brokerage fees. Add: CBP Merchandise Processing Fee (MPF) — 0.3464% of entered value, min $31.67, max $614.35. Harbor Maintenance Fee (HMF) — 0.125% of cargo value (ocean only). Plus any applicable duties (MFN + Section 301 + IEEPA).
Q: How long does US customs clearance take?
Most entries clear in 1–3 business days with no exam. A documentary exam adds 1–3 days. A tailgate exam adds 2–5 days. An intensive exam can add 5–15+ days. Working with a licensed broker, having complete documentation, and correct HTS codes are the best ways to minimize clearance time.
Q: What Section 301 tariff rate applies to my goods?
It depends on your 10-digit HTS code. Use hts.usitc.gov to look up your product. If Section 301 applies, you’ll see the additional duty rate in the “Additional Duties” column. With IEEPA tariffs also in play, total rates on some China goods now exceed 50%. Always verify before ordering — it dramatically affects your landed cost. See our [Section 301 tariffs guide](/section-301-tariffs) for more detail.
Q: What is the UFLPA and how does it affect China imports?
The Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) creates a rebuttable presumption that goods mined, produced, or manufactured wholly or in part in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region were made with forced labor and are therefore prohibited. If CBP suspects a supply chain link to Xinjiang, it can detain your goods. You must provide documentation proving the supply chain is free of Xinjiang-sourced materials to get your cargo released. This affects solar panels, cotton, polysilicon, tomatoes, and many other product categories.
Clear Your China Shipment Today
Licensed US customs brokers ready to process your China import — air or ocean, any port.