Shipping times and costs from Shenzhen, China to Chicago, United States of America
1 Bedroom flat
Shipping costs by air £4,571 - £5,052
Shipping costs by sea £2,400 - £2,652
3 Bedroom house
Shipping costs by air N/A
Shipping costs by sea £3,692 - £4,080
5 Bedroom house
Shipping costs by air N/A
Shipping costs by sea £5,538 - £6,120
Please note: the prices listed here are meant as an estimate only. The best way to get a comprehensive, tailored quote is to fill out our form and be matched with a supplier.
Shipping Container Costs to United States of America
Thinking of setting sail for stateside pastures new? The Windy City is ready for you. Situated by Lake Michigan in Illinois, Chicago is the third biggest city in the US, with a population of around 2.7 million people. The place is famous for its iconic skyline, spacious parks, and some truly stunning architecture. You’re also sure to find friendly people in Chicago, and a good dollop of Midwestern charm.Sea freight or air freight?
If you’re thinking of moving to Chicago, then you’ve probably got some furniture that’s coming with you. However, you need to decide how you’re going to get your stuff over there. International shipping comes in two forms: air freight and sea freight.Air freight gets the job done quickly. Cargo planes offer a speedy service that will take just two or three days from almost anywhere around the world. Unfortunately, air freight is also the much more expensive option – it’s helpful for last-minute moves, but not ideal if you’re trying to keep costs down.
Sea freight is significantly slower and will take several weeks, but it’s generally about five times cheaper than air freight. As long as you plan your move well in advance, you can use sea freight without worrying about how long it takes. Container ships also have a much better carbon footprint than cargo planes, so you’ll be doing the world a favour, too.
If you do go for sea freight, your belongings will travel in either a 20ft container or a 40ft container. You don’t need to worry about filling the whole container; if the total volume of your cargo is less than about 15 cubic metres, you can share the use of a container with other people. This is called Less Than Container Load, or LCL. The majority of our shipping suppliers provide a door-to-door service, which means they’ll collect your belongings from your old home and bring them all the way to your new one.
Major shipping ports
There is a port in Chicago, but it’s not particularly accessible (unless you’re moving from Southeastern Canada). Instead, your container will probably be shipped to the Port of New York on the east coast, and then taken by freight train and/or truck to Chicago.Clearing customs in the US
The US customs process can seem fairly complicated, but our shipping suppliers will assist you all the way. You are required to create an inventory (i.e. a detailed list) of everything you are bringing into the US, being as clear and accurate as possible. Customs officials may physically open and inspect your container, so it’s very important that everything matches up with what’s listed in your inventory.You are allowed to import your personal effects and household goods duty-free into the US, provided you have used them for at least a year prior to your move and you intend to use them again in your new American home. See below for an idea of the items that are restricted or prohibited by US customs. You should also check out their official website for more information.
Shipping Container Options
20Ft Shipping Container
Dimensions:
33 Cubic Meters
5.9m x 2.35m x 2.39m (l x w x h)
Price: £3,692 - £4,080
Get a quote for a 20ft container Get Shipping Container Quotes40Ft Shipping Container
Dimensions:
67 Cubic Meters
12.03m x 2.35m x 2.39m (l x w x h)
Price: £7,014 - £7,753
Get a quote for a 40ft container Get Shipping Container QuotesCar shipped by sea freight
Max Dimensions: 5.75m x 2.2m x 2.2m (l x w x h)
Base Price: £1,143 - £1,263
Quarantine & Taxes: £1,000 - £2,500
Price: £5,792 - £9,330
Get a quote for a car Get Shipping Container Quotes
