How Much Does It Cost to Ship Chinese Silk Fans to the USA?

June 17, 2026 · 6 min read · Updated for 2026 rates

If you're buying wholesale silk fans from China for the US market, shipping cost is one of the biggest questions. It directly affects your landed cost, margin, and pricing strategy.

This guide covers real shipping estimates for silk fan shipments from Suzhou (China's silk fan manufacturing hub) to major US ports — based on current 2026 freight rates.

By Sea Freight (Most Common for Bulk)

Sea freight is the most cost-effective option for wholesale orders. Silk fans are lightweight but bulky — shipping is charged by CBM (cubic meters), not weight.

Shipment SizeFans (approx)Cost (Shanghai → LA)Transit Time
Less-than-container (LCL) — 1 CBM500–1,000 fans$100–$20018–25 days
LCL — 3 CBM1,500–3,000 fans$200–$40018–25 days
20-ft container (20GP)8,000–12,000 fans$1,800–$2,50018–25 days
40-ft container (40GP)16,000–24,000 fans$2,500–$3,50018–25 days
Note: The above are freight costs from Shanghai or Ningbo to Los Angeles or Long Beach, including port handling but excluding customs clearance, duties, and inland delivery.

By Air Freight (For Smaller Orders)

Air freight is faster but significantly more expensive. Best for samples, urgent orders, or small initial test orders.

WeightFans (approx)CostTransit Time
10 kg (express courier — DHL/FedEx)15–30 fans (samples)$60–$1003–5 business days
50 kg (air cargo + courier)80–150 fans$200–$3505–8 business days
100 kg (consolidated air freight)150–300 fans$350–$6007–10 business days
500 kg (full pallet air freight)750–1,500 fans$1,500–$2,5007–10 business days

Customs Duties for Silk Fans Entering the USA

Silk fans are classified under HTS code 9615.19. — "Hand fans of silk." As of 2026:

We recommend confirming with your customs broker, as classifications can vary slightly.

Total Landed Cost Example

Let's calculate for a typical first-time wholesale order of 500 silk fans:

Cost ItemAmount
500 hand-painted silk fans (FOB Suzhou)$1,250 ($2.50/unit)
Sea freight LCL 1 CBM$150
Customs duty (~5%)$70
Customs broker + clearance$200–$400
Inland trucking (port → warehouse)$200–$500
Total landed cost$1,870–$2,370
Cost per fan (landed)$3.74–$4.74

Production + Shipping Timeline

  1. Sample production: 7–14 days
  2. Sample shipping (courier): 3–5 days
  3. Sample approval + order confirmation: 3–7 days
  4. Bulk production (MOQ 50–500 pcs): 15–25 days
  5. Sea freight to USA: 18–25 days
  6. Customs clearance: 2–5 days
  7. Inland delivery: 1–3 days

Total from order to door: Approximately 50–65 days by sea, 25–35 days by air.

Tips to Reduce Shipping Costs

How EastFanArt Handles Shipping

As a Suzhou-based manufacturer, we work with several freight partners:

For the most accurate shipping quote to your location, just reach out with your order size and destination city.

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