The top 10 ports in China for shipping to the USA are Shanghai, Ningbo-Zhoushan, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Qingdao, Tianjin, Dalian, Xiamen, Hong Kong, and Rizhao.
These ports handle over 80% of China’s exports to North America. Each has unique advantages in cost, transit time, and reliability depending on your supplier’s location and cargo type. In this guide, I’ll share, from my 12+ years of experience at DFH Logistics, how to select the most suitable port for your shipment to the U.S., avoid unnecessary inland costs, and ensure on-time delivery.
Why Choosing the Right Port in China Can Make or Break Your Shipment
When most importers plan to ship from China to the USA, they focus on freight rates, shipping methods, or Incoterms — but overlook the critical role of the departure port. Choosing the wrong port can quietly drain your profit: inland trucking from a distant factory can add hundreds of dollars, customs clearance may take longer at congested hubs, and certain ports may not even support the type of cargo you’re exporting.
After helping thousands of clients ship to the USA through DFH Logistics, I’ve seen how much difference the right port selection can make. Many first-time importers simply tell their supplier, “ship from Shanghai”, without realizing that a nearby port like Ningbo or Shenzhen could save both time and money. The right port doesn’t just affect your ocean rate — it determines the total landed cost, transit time, and even the likelihood of delay during peak seasons.
In this article, I’ll walk you through the 10 most important ports in China for shipping to the USA — what they’re best at, who should use them, and how to decide which one fits your business. Whether you’re an Amazon seller shipping consumer goods or a wholesaler moving containers of furniture or machinery, this guide will help you make confident, data-based logistics decisions.
1. Port of Shanghai
Shanghai Port: China’s largest and most globally connected port — ideal for stable, high-frequency U.S. exports.
The Port of Shanghai is the world’s busiest container port and the primary gateway for exports from East China. With deep-water terminals, advanced automation, and vast carrier coverage, it offers the highest sailing frequency to major U.S. ports like Los Angeles, Long Beach, and New York. Its offshore Yangshan terminal reduces congestion and improves efficiency even during peak seasons.
If you’re shipping large or continuous volumes, using Shanghai allows you to combine multiple orders into full container loads. Learn more about how to optimize this through our guide on Sea Freight from China.
Best for: high-volume exporters, stable production schedules, and companies prioritizing reliability and frequent sailings.
2. Port of Ningbo-Zhoushan
Ningbo-Zhoushan Port: deep-water advantage and strong inland connections, perfect for bulk cargo and East China factories.
Ningbo-Zhoushan is one of the world’s largest ports by tonnage and a powerhouse for heavy and bulk cargo. For factories located in Zhejiang, Jiangsu, or inland provinces, it often provides shorter trucking distances and lower total shipping costs than Shanghai. Its deep berths support large container vessels, which means lower freight cost per CBM for FCL shipments.
Best for: factories in Zhejiang or Central China, large or heavy shipments requiring deep-draft vessels.
3. Port of Shenzhen (Yantian / Shekou / Dachan Bay)
Shenzhen Port: South China’s tech-driven export hub with excellent access for electronics and Amazon FBA shipments.
Located near China’s manufacturing core, Shenzhen Port connects seamlessly with thousands of suppliers in Guangdong. Yantian terminal specializes in U.S. and Europe long-haul routes, offering stable sailing schedules and fast customs handling. For Amazon sellers or electronics exporters, Yantian to Los Angeles (or Houston) is among the fastest sea routes available.
If your business ships directly to Amazon warehouses, explore our detailed
Amazon FBA Shipping from China
to understand how DFH helps manage labeling, palletizing, and customs duties under DDP terms.
Best for: electronics, consumer goods, FBA shipments, or any supplier within the Pearl River Delta.
4. Port of Guangzhou (Nansha)
Guangzhou Port: versatile, multi-modal port ideal for inland suppliers in South China.
Guangzhou Port, especially the Nansha terminal, serves exporters from nearby industrial zones like Foshan, Zhongshan, and Shunde. It provides competitive rates and direct service to the U.S. West Coast, with excellent road and rail access. For bulky items such as furniture or appliances, it’s often more efficient than using Shenzhen.
Best for: furniture, appliances, mixed cargo shipments, and inland Guangdong suppliers.
5. Port of Qingdao
Qingdao Port: northern China’s premier export gateway for diverse cargo types.
Located in Shandong, Qingdao handles everything from machinery to textiles. It offers shorter inland transport for northern and central factories and serves as a major link to U.S. ports like Oakland and Seattle. The port’s modernized facilities make it a preferred choice for large-scale manufacturers seeking consistent performance.
For cost-sensitive importers, understanding total transit time and route selection can help. See our guide on
DDP Shipping from China
to learn how all-inclusive DDP services simplify shipping from these northern ports to the USA.
Best for: northern suppliers, large factories in Shandong, and diversified export goods.
6. Port of Tianjin
Tianjin Port: the maritime hub for northern inland China and the Beijing area.
As the primary seaport for Beijing and Hebei, Tianjin handles heavy industrial goods, vehicles, and bulk shipments efficiently. For companies sourcing from northern China, it minimizes inland trucking costs compared to shipping through Shanghai or southern ports.
Best for: industrial goods, machinery, and bulk exports from northern China.
7. Port of Dalian
Dalian Port: strategic northeastern port serving heavy industry and transshipment needs.
Dalian connects the northeastern industrial provinces of Liaoning and Jilin to global trade routes. It’s especially useful during peak season congestion, as its schedules are often less affected than southern ports. It also supports cold-chain and bulk shipments.
Best for: exporters from northeast China and those shipping steel, machinery, or refrigerated goods.
8. Port of Xiamen
Xiamen Port: efficient mid-sized port for Fujian and southeast China exporters.
Located opposite Taiwan, Xiamen offers direct routes to U.S. West Coast ports. It’s smaller but more efficient than mega-ports, making it a cost-effective option for small to medium shippers in Fujian, Jiangxi, and Zhejiang.
Best for: medium-sized exporters, e-commerce sellers, and general cargo from southeast China.
9. Port of Hong Kong
Hong Kong Port: a flexible transshipment hub with global reach and fast customs clearance.
Despite a decline in volume, Hong Kong remains one of the most efficient ports for consolidation and re-export services. Many forwarders use Hong Kong for multi-supplier consolidation and cross-border trucking from mainland China, especially for time-sensitive or high-value cargo.
Best for: mixed shipments, re-exports, and cargo requiring special documentation or handling.
10. Port of Rizhao (and Other Emerging Ports)
Rizhao and similar emerging ports: ideal for bulk and non-containerized shipments from less industrialized regions.
Ports like Rizhao or Lianyungang are growing fast as alternatives to congested mega-hubs. They offer lower port handling costs and faster booking during peak periods. While not yet ideal for FCL exports, they’re valuable for bulk commodities and project cargo.
Best for: heavy materials, bulk shipments, or regions without major coastal ports.
How to Choose the Best Port for Your Shipment to the USA
- Supplier location: use the nearest coastal port to reduce trucking time.
- Cargo type: heavy goods → deep-water ports; electronics → southern hubs.
- Transit time: south-to-west-coast routes are faster (12–18 days) than north-to-east-coast routes (25–35 days).
- Port congestion: check seasonal demand; smaller ports can outperform major ones in peak seasons.
- Freight forwarder coordination: let your forwarder, like DFH Logistics, optimize multi-supplier consolidation and choose the most cost-effective route.
After confirm the best Port for your shipments from China to USA, you will also need Choose a Freight forwarder. Here is the Details of Top 10 Freight Forwarders in China for USA Importers for your reference.
Conclusion
Choosing the right Chinese port isn’t about size — it’s about fit. Each port offers distinct strengths in location, cost, and carrier coverage. Over the years at DFH Logistics, I’ve helped clients save thousands of dollars and weeks of delay just by shifting their cargo from one port to another.
If you’re shipping to the U.S. and want a professional logistics partner who understands every major Chinese port, my team and I can help you design a tailored, door-to-door solution that’s cost-efficient, transparent, and on time.
You can Contact DFH Logistics today to discuss your shipping route and get a free, customized quote from China to the USA.
