If you've been following the news lately, you might be wondering: Can you still ship from China to the United States? Or has the trade war finally shut that door?
The short answer is yes – absolutely. Thousands of containers are crossing the Pacific every single day. But the longer answer is more complicated, and it's worth understanding what's actually happening on the water right now before you book your next shipment.
So What's the Deal with the Trade Truce?
In late October, Presidents Trump and Xi reached a 12-month trade truce during a meeting in South Korea. The deal includes a 10% reduction in fentanyl-related tariffs on Chinese goods and a one-year suspension of U.S. port call fees on China-linked vessels. The overall baseline tariff on all Chinese exports to the U.S. now sits at 20% – back to where it was back in March.
That sounds like good news, right? Well, yes and no.
Here's the catch: about two-thirds of all exports from China to the U.S. still face tariffs of up to roughly 25% from the first Trump administration. On top of that, a new 12.5% Section 301 tariff was imposed in late July 2026 on imports from China and 59 other jurisdictions. So while the truce eased some pressure, tariffs on Chinese goods remain significantly higher than on goods from other countries.
What does that mean for you as a shipper? It means the cost of your goods going into the U.S. is still elevated – and that's not changing anytime soon.
What About the Shipping Costs?
If you've been watching freight rates lately, you know things have been anything but predictable.
Earlier this year, rates surged dramatically. In April, a 40-foot container from Ningbo to the U.S. West Coast was around $2,900, and to the East Coast about $3,900. By June, those numbers had climbed to nearly $6,300 for the West Coast and close to $7,500 for the East Coast. Carriers were reporting "full bookings" on China-U.S. routes, with shippers scrambling to secure space and empty containers.
More recently, rates have been volatile. As of mid-August, spot rates from China to the U.S. West Coast were hovering above $7,000 per FEU, while East Coast rates ranged from $8,000 to $10,500. Some reports show FAK (Freight All Kinds) rates sitting between $7,900 and $11,000.
The twist? Demand isn't actually driving this surge. Bookings from China to the U.S. were down roughly 4% year-over-year through the first two weeks of August. Instead, the rate increases are being driven by supply-side factors – vessel capacity has been shrinking, with one report showing a 13% drop in available space compared to the previous week. Add in typhoons disrupting port operations in Shanghai, Ningbo, and Shenzhen, and you've got a recipe for tight capacity and elevated rates.
Is There Still Space on Vessels?
This is where things get tricky. In May and June, the China-U.S. route was "fully booked" across both East and South China. While the situation has eased somewhat, August capacity on the Asia-to-U.S. East Coast lane contracted 9% month-over-month, and the West Coast lane saw a 0.4% monthly decline. That means vessel space is still tight, especially if you're shipping during peak season (July through October).
The smart move? Book your space well in advance – and work with a freight forwarder who has real relationships with carriers, not just a booking platform.
What About the New U.S. Port Fees?
One of the biggest headaches this year has been the U.S. Trade Representative's (USTR) port fee proposal. Under Section 301, vessels owned or operated by Chinese entities were set to face a fixed fee of $80 per net ton for each voyage to the U.S.. Non-Chinese operators of Chinese-built vessels would pay either $23 per net ton or $154 per TEU capacity. The total bill for the top 10 carriers was estimated at a staggering **$3.2 billion** in 2026.
The good news? These port fees have been suspended for one year as part of the trade truce. But here's the reality check: the suspension is temporary, and the underlying issues haven't been resolved. Carriers have already repositioned vessels to deal with the threat of these fees, and no one knows for sure what will happen when the truce expires.
Where XMAE Logistics Comes In
This is exactly the kind of environment where having the right partner makes all the difference. At XMAE Logistics, we're not just a booking agent – we're your on-the-ground logistics partner in both China and the U.S.
Based in Xiamen – one of China's most efficient gateway ports – we have deep relationships with major carriers and a front-row seat to the market shifts that affect your shipments. We're a government-licensed freight forwarder with IATA, FIATA, FMC, and NVOCC approvals, and our network spans over 100 overseas agents worldwide.
What really sets us apart as your Shipping Forwarder China To Usa is our ability to navigate the chaos. When vessel space tightens, we secure capacity through our carrier partnerships. When rates spike, we compare options across multiple carriers to find what actually works for your budget – not just what's cheapest on paper. We handle the full door-to-door process: pickup from your supplier in Shenzhen, Shanghai, Ningbo, or Xiamen; export clearance; ocean transport; U.S. customs brokerage; and final delivery to your warehouse or fulfillment center.
And because we're not tied to any single shipping line, when you work with us as your Shipping Forwarder China To Usa, you're getting unbiased advice. We'll tell you when it makes sense to ship now – and when it might be worth waiting a week for rates to settle. No hidden fees, no last-minute surprises – just transparent, reliable logistics.
We also stay on top of the regulatory changes that can trip up less experienced shippers. The de minimis exemption for shipments from China to the U.S. has been suspended since August 2025 – every package, regardless of value, is now subject to U.S. import duties. That's a game-changer for e-commerce sellers, and it's the kind of detail that a good Shipping Forwarder China To Usa will help you navigate.
The Bottom Line
So, can you still ship from China to the U.S. in 2026? Absolutely. Containers are moving, goods are flowing, and American businesses are still importing from China at record volumes – July 2026 saw U.S. container imports hit 2.5 million TEUs, the fourth-highest July on record, with Chinese-origin shipments rising to 873,000 TEUs – the highest monthly volume in a year.
But shipping in 2026 isn't what it was a few years ago. Tariffs are higher, rates are more volatile, vessel space is tighter, and the regulatory landscape keeps shifting. The smart move? Work with a freight forwarder who doesn't just book space on a ship, but actually helps you navigate the complexity.
At XMAE Logistics, we've spent years helping businesses turn complex cross-border logistics into smooth, predictable supply chains. We bridge the gap between your business and the realities of global trade – so you can focus on what you do best: growing your business.
Ready to ship smarter? Get in touch with XMAE Logistics today for a no-obligation quote and expert advice on your next shipment from China to the U.S.
