A Complete Guide to Shipping From Taiwan to the USA

Do you have products from a Taiwanese supplier that you want to import to the US? Let this guide for shipping from Taiwan to USA assist you in finding the ideal shipping method based on your needs.

shipping from Taiwan to the USA
Source: Pinterest

According to the ITA’s market overview on Taiwan, the total trade transactions between Taiwan and the US amounted to $106.2 billion in 2020. In fact, the US is the second-largest trading partner of Taiwan next to China. Other major trading partners of Taiwan include Hong Kong, Japan, and the European Union.

This only proves the potential of Taiwan when it comes to foreign trade. So if you need help in importing Taiwanese products to the United States, this guide is especially for you!

P.S. Are you planning to ship products from China to the Amazon FBA by hiring a freight forwarder? FBABEE can make the shipping process easier and faster for you with the help of our professionals!

Tips on Saving Your Money & Time Before Shipping From Taiwan to US

save money and time tips of ship from china to usa
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Know the Restricted and Prohibited Items When Shipping from Taiwan to the US

Do not send restricted or prohibited items to the US without preparing the required permits and documents. Here are the prohibited and restricted items in the United States:

  • Biologicals
  • Gold
  • Cultural Property and Cultural Artifacts
  • Merchandise from Embargoed Countries
  • Drug Paraphernalia
  • Game and Hunting Trophies
  • Trademarked Articles
  • Fish and Wildlife
  • Dog and Cat Fur
  • Automobiles
  • Defense Articles including Items with Proliferation or Military Applications
  • Firearms
  • Absinthe

You can find the complete list here: restricted and prohibited to enter the US.

Familiarize Yourself With the Peak Seasons

Avoid sending during peak seasons as much as possible because shipping rates and transit times increase considerably. You can ship during off-peak seasons instead.

Consider Taiwan to US Shipping Time

How much does shipping cost from Taiwan to the United States? This can be affected by the following factors:

  • How long the customs clearance will take
  • Whether you choose air, sea, or express shipping
  • How far the source is from the destination

In general, below are the estimated shipping times for each mode of transportation:

  • Air freight: 1-13 days
  • Sea freight: 14-38 days
  • Express shipping: 1-4 days

Prepare the Required Documents

Your logistics company can prepare the necessary documents for you but there are some documents you need to prepare yourself like:

  • The original invoice
  • A Packing List
  • A Certificate of Origin
  • A Letter of Credit or other payment terms
  • An Airway Bill for airfreight or Bill of Lading for sea freight

Check the Taipei Customs and the US Customs for more information.

Know the Shipping Cost From Taiwan to US

How much is shipping from Taiwan to the US? This will depend on the following factors:

  • What type of goods you are shipping
  • The dimensions and weight of your cargo
  • The mode of shipping used
  • How far the source is from the destination
  • Whether it is a door-to-port, port-to-port, port-to-door, or door-to-door delivery

Partner With an Experienced Freight Forwarder

Partnering with a freight forwarder can make the shipping process as seamless as possible. From arranging transportation to customs clearance, they can handle everything for you. This way, you will be able to save more money and time for your business.

Also Read: A Complete Guide to Shipping From China to USA

Choosing Your Options for Taiwan to USA Shipping

You will have three modes of shipping you can choose from when importing your products:

  • Air shipping
  • Ocean shipping
  • Express shipping

We will discuss the key information you need to know for each one in the succeeding sections.

Also Read: A Complete Guide to Shipping From Hong to USA

Air Freight from Taiwan to the United States

air freight from Taiwan to USA
Source: Pinterest
  • Air Shipping From Taiwan to US Price
    • Average Price for 200-kg (1-CBM) loads: $1,905
    • Estimated Air Freight Costs/Kilogram:
      • 10kg: $58.84
      • 100kg: $13.85
      • 300 kg: $7.15
    • Average Door-To-Door Shipping Rates for 200-KG (1cbm) Loads in Major Routes:
From/ToLos AngelesNew YorkHouston
Kaohsiung$1,802$2,021$1,974
Taichung$1,750$1,903$1,895
Keelung$1,805$2,023$1,976
  • Taiwan to the United States Shipping Time
    • Door-to-Door: 6-13 days
    • Port-to-Port: 1-5 days
  • Recommended Logistic Brands
    • Shipa Freight
    • Freightos
    • China Freight
  • Why and When to Choose Air Shipping
    • Recommended for perishable and valuable items
    • The best option for goods that you need to ship ASAP to the US
    • Faster than sea freight for 35kg-99 kg loads at almost the same rates

Also Read: A Complete Guide to Shipping From the Philippines to USA

Sea Freight from Taiwan to the United States

sea freight from Taiwan to USA
Source: Pinterest
  • Options for Sea Freight from Taiwan to the United States

For sea shipping, there are two methods you can choose from:

Ocean/Sea Freight LCL

  • Your goods will be sent with consignments from other shippers
  • It may take longer compared to FCL shipping because your goods need to be consolidated and deconsolidated
  • Cheaper compared to FCL

Ocean/Sea Freight FCL

  • You will be using an entire 20-ft or 40-ft container
  • Ideal for high-volume shipments
  • Pricing is  done at a flat rate so you better maximize the space for more savings

Here is a comparison between these two sea shipping methods: FCL vs. LCL.

  • Shipping Rates from Taiwan to the United States

Below are the average prices for FCL and LCL shipping:

  • FCL (peak season): $2,997
  • LCL (200-kg/1-cbm loads): $949

Below are the estimated rates via the major shipping routes from Taiwan to the US for FCL and LCL shipping:

FCL Rates (40-ft Containers)

From/ToLos AngelesNew YorkHouston
Kaohsiung$1,535$3,110$2,967
Taichung$2,083$4,581$3,508
Keelung$1,856$3,836$3,499

LCL Rates (200-kg/1-cbm loads)

From/ToLos AngelesNew YorkHouston
Kaohsiung$885$1,029$955
Taichung$911$1,047$975
Keelung$840$985$912
  • Sea Shipping Transit Time from Taiwan to the USA
    • FCL
      • Door-to-Door: 24-28 days
      • Port-to-Port: 14-19 days
    • LCL
      • Door-to-Door: 22-27 days
      • Port-to-Port: 15-38 days
  • Recommended Logistic Brands
    • Shipa Freight
    • Freightos
    • China Freight
  • Why and When to Choose Ocean Shipping
    • The cheapest mode of transportation
    • More options when it comes to goods you can send
    • You have LCL and FCL shipping options

Read more about the comparison between air freight and sea freight here.

Also Read: A Complete Guide to Shipping From Thailand to USA

Express from Taiwan to the United States

express from Taiwan to USA
Source: Pinterest
  • Rates for Express Shipping From Taiwan to the US

The average price for 50-kg (0.2-CBM) loads is $571.

  • Express Shipping Time

Express shipping only takes 1-4 days.

  • Recommended Logistic Brands
    • Dwarka Courier
    • DHL
    • FedEx
  • Why and When to Choose Express Shipping
    • For small shipments under 35 kilograms
    • Good for product samples, valuable items, and perishable goods
    • Fastest mode of shipping
    • Always door-to-door shipping

Also Read: A Complete Guide to Shipping From Malaysia to USA

Logistics Options for Taiwan Shipping to US

logistics options for Taiwan to USA
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To make the shipping process easier for you, you can hire professional logistics companies like freight forwarders and shipping agents. Below are the tasks each can do for you:

Freight Forwarders

  • Offer air, ocean, and courier shipping options
  • Handling customs clearance
  • Choose the best route based on your needs
  • Door-to-door, port-to-port, door-to-port, and port-to-door delivery options

In addition, you might want to check our list of the best Amazon freight forwarders in the USA and top US freight forwarders.

Shipping Agents

  • Handling and transporting your goods
  • Clearing customs
  • Port-to-port shipping services
  • Usually ocean shipping services only

Also Read: Shipping Agents From China to USA

Available Routes for Shipping From Taiwan to the US

Below are the top ports used for shipping goods from Taiwan to the US:

Major Ports in Taiwan

  • An-Ping
  • Hualien
  • Mailiao
  • Ma-Kung
  • Kaohsiung
  • Keelung
  • Taichung
  • Taipei
  • Su-Ao

Major Importing Ports in the USA

  • Louisiana
  • Houston
  • Newark
  • Beaumont
  • New York
  • New Jersey
  • Long Beach
  • New Orleans
  • Hampton Roads
  • Corpus Christi
  • Los Angeles
  • Greater Baton Rouge

Also Read: A Complete Guide to Shipping From Indonesia to USA

Choosing A Reliable Freight Forwarder for Your Needs

choose reliable freight forwarder for your needs
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Let’s end this blog by sharing with you a few factors that you need to consider if you want to partner with a freight forwarder:

Experience

Having enough experience not only in arranging transportation for your goods but also in handling customs clearance is crucial. The transit time may take a few days but the customs clearance process can take weeks if the proper documents are not submitted.

Proof of Legitimacy

Check if you are transacting with a trustworthy company by making sure that they have a physical address and that they have the necessary certifications.

Service Options

Make sure to confirm if your freight forwarder can cater to your needs. They can offer a variety of options for you to make sure that they match your budget.

Shipping Charges

Quotes may vary, so it is best to check out what different providers can offer before you make a decision. You also need to understand what is included in the quote so you won’t be surprised by additional fees along the way.

Also Read: Shipping Companies From China to USA

Wrapping Up

Choosing the best option based on your shipping needs is important to make sure that you won’t be wasting money and time. So hopefully, this guide has been helpful to you. Feel free to reach out to us if you need help in shipping your items to the Amazon FBA from China.

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