Shipping time from China to US ranges from 2 days to over 40 days and the number your freight forwarder quotes you is almost never the real one. Here’s the quick answer before the full breakdown: express courier (DHL, FedEx, UPS) delivers door to door in 2–7 days; air freight takes 5–10 days; sea freight LCL to the West Coast runs 22–31 days door to door; sea freight FCL to the West Coast takes 20–28 days. East Coast destinations add 10–15 days to every sea freight timeline. Now here’s the confusion that catches eCommerce sellers every single time. Your freight forwarder quotes “13 days sea freight from Shanghai to LA.” Your goods leave China. Two weeks later, you’re still waiting.