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Shipping Container rates from China to USA | Jan 2026

Container shipping is essential for global trade. It forms the foundation of international trade by allowing goods to move smoothly from manufacturers to consumers worldwide.

The trade route between China and the USA is especially important. This is because they exchange a large volume of goods and have close economic ties.

Understanding container rates is crucial in Jan 2026. This is because seasonal demand and supply chain factors come together to influence costs. This article explores these factors, current trends, and what they mean for businesses.

Current Factors Influencing Shipping Costs (Jan 2026)

January 2026 will be a peak season for the entire shipping industry, as China will have a 15-day Spring Festival holiday starting on February 15th. During this period, importers will need to stockpile at least three months’ worth of goods, which will lead to a surge in demand across the entire transportation sector.

Direct impact

We are currently deep in the **“Pre-CNY Rush.”** With the holiday officially starting around **February 17th**, we have exactly one month until the shutdowns. However, the logistical window is closing much faster than that.

Because importers are front-loading 2+ months of inventory to cover the factory closures, the system is currently under extreme stress. Here are the direct impacts you are facing right now:

1. The “Space War” is Active (Vessel Overbooking)

**Current Status:** Vessels leaving China for the next 3 weeks are effectively overbooked (often by 120%+).

**The Impact:** Even with a booking confirmation, your cargo is at high risk of being **“rolled”** (bumped to the next vessel) unless you are on a premium guaranteed-space contract.

**Advice:** If you have bookings that have not yet gated in, we need to protect them. Do not change any booking details (weight, piece count) at the last minute, as this often triggers an automatic rollover.

2. Trucking & Feeder Service Collapse (The “First Mile” Problem)

**Current Status:** This is the most overlooked risk. Chinese domestic truck drivers often leave for their hometowns 2–3 weeks _before_ the holiday (starting around **Jan 20th–25th**).

**The Impact:** By next week, trucking capacity in major hubs (Shenzhen, Ningbo, Shanghai) will drop by 50% or more. Drayage costs (trucking containers to port) will skyrocket—often double or triple the normal rate—and drivers will reject heavy or difficult loads.

**Advice:** If your goods are ready, **gate them in immediately.** Do not wait for the “perfect” vessel sailing date. Getting the box into the port terminal is the priority right now.

3. Rate Spikes and Surcharges

**Current Status:** We are seeing peak season surcharges (PSS) and General Rate Increases (GRI) applied weekly.

**The Impact:** Spot rates are currently at their annual high. You may see invoices higher than quotes provided just two weeks ago.

**Advice:** Now is not the time to negotiate on rate if you need speed. Paying the premium “Diamond/Priority” tier on ocean freight is often cheaper than air freighting the goods later because the ocean container got rolled.

4. Equipment Shortages (Empty Containers)

**Current Status:** Because every exporter is grabbing containers, there is a deficit of empty 40ft and 40ft HC containers at inland depots.

**The Impact:** Drivers may arrive at the depot to pick up an empty container and find none available, causing you to miss your cut-off.

**Advice:** Be flexible. If you can’t get a 40ft HC, be willing to take two 20ft containers if it means catching the ship.

5. The “Blank Sailing” Shadow (Post-Holiday)

**Current Status:** Carriers are already announcing “Blank Sailings” (canceled voyages) for late February and early March to artificially keep rates high when demand drops during the holiday.

**The Impact:** If your cargo misses the vessel departing _before_ Feb 10th, it might not just wait a week—it could wait **3 weeks** because the next few ships have been canceled.

Immediate Action Plan (Next 5 Days)

1. **Audit your “Cargo Ready” dates:** If a factory says goods will be ready Feb 5th, that is too late for sea freight. That cargo will likely ship in March.
2. **Approve “Split Shipments”:** If a factory has 80% of an order ready, ship it _now_. Do not wait for the final 20% or you risk the entire shipment getting stuck.
3. **Switch to Air:** For any stock you absolutely need on shelves by March 1st, Ocean Freight is now a high-risk gamble. Consider moving a small portion to Air Freight immediately before Air rates spike in roughly 10 days.

**Would you like me to check the specific sailing schedule or booking cut-off dates for a particular port pair (e.g., Shanghai to Los Angeles)?**

Timeline of the 2025 tariff war

• **Initial Tariffs:** The process began on February 4, 2025, with a 10% tariff imposed on all Chinese imports. This was followed by an additional 10% tariff on March 4, 2025, bringing the base rate to 20%.
• **Rapid Escalation in April:** April saw significant increases:
  • **April 2:** An additional 14% was added, raising the total tariff rate to 34%. The U.S. also announced “Liberation Day,” signaling broader tariff actions potentially impacting other countries, although subsequent specific actions focused on China.
  • **April 9:** Tariffs were increased by another 50 percentage points, reaching a reported total of 84%. A 90-day pause on higher duties for _other_ countries was also announced.
  • **April 10 & 11:** There was a major adjustment. The U.S. raised tariffs on Chinese imports significantly. It was clarified on April 11th that a 125% tariff increase was added _on top of_ the pre-existing 20% rate, establishing a new total tariff rate of 145% on applicable Chinese goods.
• **Specific Exemptions:** On April 13, 2025, certain goods, including smartphones, computer monitors, and various electronic parts, were exempted from the _new_ tariffs. This exemption was applied retroactively to goods entering the U.S. from April 5th onwards.
• **End of De Minimis for China:** Effective May 2, 2025, the U.S. eliminated the De Minimis tariff exemption for low-value shipments (under $800) specifically from China and Hong Kong. These shipments are no longer eligible for duty-free entry and are now subject to the applicable tariffs (currently 145%, unless the goods fall under the specific exemptions announced on April 13th).

**May 12: Preliminary Agreement Reached**

**– U.S. Actions Regarding Tariffs on Chinese Imports:**

• **Suspends 24% tariffs for 90 days.**(It’s important to note how this 24% interacts with the existing rates. Based on the agreement, it seems to imply a reduction from a higher rate.)
• **Retains 10% tariffs.**(This suggests a rollback to an earlier tariff level for some goods or as a base.)
• **Cancels the “additional tariffs on April 8 and 9.”**(The provided text details increases on April 2nd, 9th, 10th & 11th. This likely refers to the significant escalations that occurred around those dates, specifically the jump to 84% and then the components leading to 145%.)

**– China’s Actions Regarding Tariffs on U.S. Imports:**

• Simultaneously**suspends 24% tariffs for 90 days.**
• **Retains 10% tariffs.**
• **Cancels its additional tariffs**detailed in “Announcement No. 5 and No. 6 of April.”

**July 27：China, US to extend tariff pause at Sweden talks by another 90 days**

During the expected[90-day extension](https://www.reuters.com/world/china/china-us-extend-tariff-pause-sweden-talks-by-another-90-days-scmp-reports-2025-07-27/), the U.S. and China will agree not to introduce new tariffs or take other actions that could further escalate the trade war

Current Trends in Container Rates from China to the USA

Freight Rates & Market Capacity

**Shipping Cost Overview** throughout January, we successfully maintained competitive shipping rates, despite a slight uptick in the market compared to December. Currently, the average cost for a 40ft container ranges from **$1,700 to $2,400**, while a 20ft container averages between **$1,400 and $2,000**. Please note that final pricing varies based on cargo value and specific origin/destination ports.

“Please note that container indices fluctuate on a weekly basis, and we anticipate a sharp upward trend as the Spring Festival holiday approaches. We strongly advise importers to place bookings immediately to lock in current rates. All final pricing is subject to confirmation by your dedicated sales manager.”

Monthly container rates for 2025

Jan 1,800 3,450Feb 1,450 2,000Mar 1,200 1,550Apr 1,200 1,550May 2,300 3,000June 2,800 3,500July 1,800 2,500Aug 1,400 1,600Sep 1,400 1,900Oct 1,500 2,100Nov 1,400 1,850Dec 1,450 1,800

40ft

Why You Need to Understand Container Rates from China to the USA

Container rates are more than just numbers. They show the state of global trade and how well the logistics industry is doing. Understanding these rates is important for any business to make sustainable profits.

Companies that understand container rates can make better decisions. They can decide when to ship their products, how to manage their supply chain, and whether to pass on costs to customers.

Container rates also provide information about economic patterns. This information can be useful for businesses to make strategic decisions.

Benefits of Understanding Container Rates

1. **Cost Management:** Knowing container rates helps businesses budget effectively. Importers can find ways to save money by exploring different shipping routes or negotiating with shipping providers.
2. **Strategic Planning:** Businesses can plan their shipping around times when rates are lower, avoiding peak seasons when possible. For example, importing goods before the holiday rush can significantly reduce costs.
3. **Competitive Advantage:** Companies that understand shipping trends can make informed decisions, giving them an edge over competitors. This knowledge allows them to offer better prices to customers while still making a profit.

How to Get Container Rates from China to the US

Gorto’s Monthly Updates

Gorto provides detailed, updated container rates each month. These updates are very helpful for businesses that need reliable information to plan their shipments effectively.

Container freight rates from China to US in Jan 2026

The price of transporting goods directly affects the price and profit of goods sold locally. The GORTO team values long-term cooperation with customers.

Therefore, we will show you the container rate in Nov 2025, which is our lowest price. If you find someone with a lower price than us, please tell our team, and we will beat that price for you.

If you want to know more about[shipping from China to the US](https://gortofreight.com/shipping-from-china-to-usa/), you can contact us.

**If you want other ports from China to USA, please contact us freely. Our sales team will give you the exact price within 6 hours. Thank you.**

Destination Port Departure Port CNTR Size port to port priceLA/LB YanTian 40FT/HQ $2,580LA/LB NingBo/ShangHai 40FT/HQ $2,730LA/LB QingDao 40FT/HQ $2,500NY YanTian 40FT/HQ $3,200NY NingBo/ShangHai 40FT/HQ $3,300NY QingDao 40FT/HQ $3,500CHI YanTian 40FT/HQ $3,680CHI NingBo/ShangHai 40FT/HQ $3,240CHI QingDao 40FT/HQ $3,450SAV YanTian 40FT/HQ $4,100DAL YanTian 40FT/HQ $3,300HOU YanTian 40FT/HQ $2,880OAK YanTian 40FT/HQ $2,680

Destination Port Departure Port CNTR Size port to port priceLA/LB YanTian 20GP/FT $2,100LA/LB NingBo/ShangHai 20GP/FT $2,200LA/LB QingDao 20GP/FT $1,800NY YanTian 20GP/FT $1,980NY NingBo/ShangHai 20GP/FT $2,380NY QingDao 20GP/FT $2,180CHI YanTian 20GP/FT $1,800CHI NingBo/ShangHai 20GP/FT $1,980CHI QingDao 20GP/FT $2,360SAV YanTian 20GP/FT $2,360HOU YanTian 20GP/FT $1,800OAK YanTian 20GP/FT $2,580

By contacting Gorto, businesses can access accurate rate data and personalized shipping solutions, ensuring cost-effective logistics.

Implications of High or Low Container Rates

1. **For US Importers and Exporters:** High container rates increase costs for importers. This forces them to raise prices or absorb losses. Exporters may become less competitive in foreign markets, as high freight costs make their products more expensive.
2. **For Global Supply Chains:** If container rates stay high, businesses might look for different suppliers or places to get their goods. This helps them reduce their reliance on expensive shipping routes.
3. **For Consumers:** High shipping rates eventually affect consumers. Businesses pass on higher costs by increasing retail prices. This is especially noticeable for things like electronics, clothes, and home goods.

What to Look Out for When Understanding Container Rates

1. **Fuel Surcharges:** Changes in fuel prices directly affect shipping costs. Keeping an eye on these changes helps businesses plan for rate adjustments.
2. **Seasonal Peaks:** Understanding when demand is high allows companies to plan shipments better. This helps them avoid times when shipping costs are high.
3. **Port Efficiencies:** Ports that can process shipments quickly and have fewer delays are better. This is because they minimize delays and reduce extra charges.

Conclusion

Container rates between China and the US in July 2025 are influenced by global trade, seasonal demand, and how efficient the shipping process is. For businesses, staying informed about these rates is crucial for success in a competitive market.

By using updated rate data from providers like Gorto, companies can improve their shipping strategies and make their supply chains stronger. Contact Gorto today for solutions that fit your needs and stay ahead in the changing world of global trade.

Table of Contents

1. Current Factors Influencing Shipping Costs (Jan 2026)
2. Current Trends in Container Rates from China to the USA
3. Why You Need to Understand Container Rates from China to the USA
4. How to Get Container Rates from China to the US
5. Implications of High or Low Container Rates
6. What to Look Out for When Understanding Container Rates
7. Conclusion

route

China to USAContainer Rates, and shipping times.

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China to GermanyContainer Rates, and shipping times.

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