Shopify sellers: how to ship from China to the US in 2026

The $800 de-minimis exemption is gone for Chinese goods

Until May 2025, shipments valued under $800 entered the US duty-free under the de-minimis rule. That exemption no longer applies to goods of Chinese origin. Every commercial shipment from China now requires a formal US customs entry and pays import duties -- regardless of value.

For Shopify sellers, the practical change is two-fold. Your landed cost is higher than it was last year. And you now need a customs broker (or a freight forwarder that includes customs clearance) for every shipment, even small test orders and samples.

What import duties actually cost in 2026

The November 2025 US-China trade truce stabilized Section 301 tariff rates. Most consumer goods from China now carry a combined import duty of 20 to 30 percent -- lower than the peak rates from 2024, but still a real line item in your landed cost.

The rate varies by product. To find your exact rate, look up your product's HTS (Harmonized Tariff Schedule) code at hts.usitc.gov. Your customs broker can also do this for you. The important thing: find out your rate before you finalize supplier pricing, not after the shipment is in transit.

• Standard base rate: 0 to 7.5% depending on product category.
• Section 301 additional tariff: typically 7.5 to 25% depending on the product list.
• Combined effective rate for most Shopify goods: 20 to 30%.
• Some categories (steel, aluminum, certain electronics) carry higher rates -- check your specific HTS code.

Shipping methods for Shopify DTC brands

The right method depends on your product size, restock frequency, and how much lead time you can build into your supply chain.

• Air express (DHL, FedEx, UPS): door to door in 5 to 7 days. Best for launch orders, fast-moving SKUs, and shipments under 30 kg. Rates typically $6 to $10 per kg all-in. High per-kg cost, but valuable when speed matters.
• Air freight (consolidated): door to door in 7 to 12 days. Best for 30 to 300 kg. Rates typically $3 to $6 per kg. The middle path between express speed and sea economy.
• Sea LCL (less than container load): 18 to 28 days from supplier to door. Best for 200 kg or more with 3 to 4 weeks of lead time available. Rates roughly $0.80 to $1.50 per kg equivalent. The lowest cost per unit for regular bulk restocks.

For Shopify brands: launch orders often go air express to test sell-through before committing to sea. Once a product validates and you have a reorder cadence, move regular restocks to sea LCL and keep one air freight shipment in the pipeline as a buffer.

Why DDP matters for Shopify importers

Freight quotes come in two main forms: DAP (Delivered at Place) and DDP (Delivered Duty Paid).

Under DAP, the freight forwarder delivers to your door but customs duties and clearance fees are charged separately -- usually by your customs broker or the delivery carrier when your goods arrive. Under DDP, one quote covers everything: freight, US customs clearance, import duties, and final delivery.

DDP is almost always the better choice for small Shopify importers. The reason: with DAP, you are managing two or three separate billing relationships and you do not know your total cost until the goods arrive. With DDP, your landed cost is fixed when the shipment leaves China.

One caveat: not all DDP quotes are equal. Before confirming a shipment, ask your forwarder specifically whether the DDP price includes customs broker fees and all Section 301 import duties. Some forwarders exclude duties from their DDP price and bill them separately at destination.

Documents your supplier must provide

Customs clearance requires accurate paperwork. Missing or incorrect documents are the most common cause of delays for small importers.

• Commercial invoice: product description, unit price, total value, seller and buyer details, and country of origin (China). Must reflect the actual transaction value.
• Packing list: box count, dimensions, and weights. Must be consistent with the commercial invoice.
• Bill of lading (sea) or air waybill (air): issued by your freight forwarder.
• ISF 10+2 filing (sea freight only): your forwarder files this with CBP at least 24 hours before the vessel loads in China. Missing ISF carries a $5,000 penalty.
• Product certifications (if applicable): CPSC certificates for children's products, electronics, or regulated goods. Starting July 8, 2026, these must be filed electronically at entry.

Confirm with your supplier before the first order that they can provide all required documents. A supplier who cannot provide a proper commercial invoice will cost you more in customs delays than the product itself.

Calculating your real landed cost per unit

Shopify margin math only works if you use the real landed cost, not just the factory price. Here is what goes into a landed cost calculation for a China import.

• Factory price per unit.
• China domestic trucking to port (often included in FOB terms from your supplier).
• Freight to the US (air or sea, quoted per kg or CBM).
• US import duties: your HTS rate multiplied by the declared value.
• Customs broker and ISF fees: typically $150 to $275 total for a straightforward shipment.
• US domestic delivery from port or airport to your warehouse.
• Any quality inspection fees done in China before shipping.

A DDP quote from a single freight forwarder collapses items 2 through 6 into one number. That makes the math simpler and removes the risk of an unexpected invoice mid-shipment.