For cross-border e-commerce sellers, shipping speed directly impacts customer experience, cash flow, and store ratings. While terms like "express shipping" and "standard shipping" are commonly understood in China-US maritime routes, even within the same category, delivery times can vary significantly. This article examines the key factors affecting shipping times and compares major shipping routes.
Route Selection: The Foundation of Shipping Speed
International maritime shipping times primarily depend on route selection. Different routes affect sailing distance, number of port calls, and overall transit time. Direct routes are typically faster than those requiring multiple transshipments. Below are major China-US routes and their estimated transit times:
- Matson CLX Express (Direct to US): Known for speed, this route departs Ningbo, stops in Shanghai, then proceeds directly to Long Beach before returning via Honolulu and Guam. Transit time: Ningbo (2 days) → Shanghai (12 days) → Long Beach → Honolulu (13 days) → Guam (7 days) → Ningbo (8 days).
- Matson CLX+ (West Coast Direct): Similar to CLX but with fewer stops: Ningbo (2 days) → Shanghai (9 days) → Long Beach (31 days) → Ningbo.
- EXX West Coast Direct: Departs Yantian via Ningbo and Shanghai to Los Angeles, then Oakland and Honolulu before returning: Yantian (2 days) → Ningbo (2 days) → Shanghai (13 days) → Los Angeles (4 days) → Oakland (7 days) → Honolulu (21 days) → Yantian.
- ZIM ZEX West Coast Direct: Ningbo → Xiamen → Yantian → Los Angeles → Ningbo: Ningbo (2 days) → Xiamen (2 days) → Yantian (13 days) → Los Angeles (18 days) → Ningbo.
- OA Alliance AAC2 West Coast Direct: Qingdao → Shanghai → Ningbo → Los Angeles → Oakland → Busan → Qingdao: Qingdao (1 day) → Shanghai (2 days) → Ningbo (14 days) → Los Angeles (5 days) → Oakland (23 days) → Busan (4 days) → Qingdao.
- West Coast AAC4 Direct: Ningbo → Shanghai → Busan → Long Beach → Busan → Ningbo: Ningbo (1 day) → Shanghai (3 days) → Busan (12 days) → Long Beach (17 days) → Busan (2 days) → Ningbo.
- West Coast AACI Direct: Shanghai → Ningbo → Long Beach → Shanghai: Shanghai (2 days) → Ningbo (16 days) → Long Beach (17 days) → Shanghai.
Departure Port and Port Call Sequence: The Devil's in the Details
Beyond route selection, the departure port and port call sequence significantly impact delivery times. Even on the same vessel, cargo from different ports arrives at different times due to loading/unloading sequences.
For example, ZIM's common route sequence is Ningbo → Xiamen → Yantian. Since Yantian is the last Chinese port before sailing to Los Angeles, shipments from Yantian typically have the fastest transit times.
Similarly, Evergreen's CPS route calls at Qingdao → Shanghai → Ningbo, making Ningbo the last Chinese port before Long Beach, thus offering better speed for Ningbo shipments.
Selection Strategy: Key Considerations for Sellers
Cross-border sellers should consider these factors when choosing shipping routes:
- Product Type: Time-sensitive goods like perishables require express or direct routes.
- Budget: Express shipping costs more than standard options.
- Supply Chain: Choose departure ports closest to suppliers and warehouses.
- Destination Port: West Coast (e.g., Los Angeles/Long Beach) vs. East Coast (e.g., New York/Savannah) require different routes.
- Carrier Reliability: Established carriers reduce risks and improve schedule accuracy.
Understanding these variables helps sellers optimize logistics, improve customer satisfaction, and maintain competitiveness in the demanding cross-border e-commerce market.