Hong Kong to US Shipping Guide 2025: Rates, Restrictions & Best Options

Time to send parcels from Hong Kong to the United States

Sending parcels to the United States is definitely a popular choice among Hong Kong people. Whether you want to send gifts to relatives and friends in the United States, prepare necessities for your life after arriving in the United States, or take care of cross-border online shopping, sending goods to the United States from Hong Kong is the most direct way. But at the same time, there will also be some restrictions and things to pay attention to when shipping to the United States, such as what cannot be sent, customs declaration procedures, etc. This article will break down all the strategies for sending goods from Hong Kong to the United States one by one, and answer all your questions at once to ensure that your package can reach its destination safely, and in the most cost-effective way!

 

What cannot be sent to Hong Kong when sending prohibited items to the United States?

The U.S. Customs has very strict controls on packages sent to the local area, and most contraband and controlled items are not allowed to be sent to the United States. Specifically, the following items are absolutely not allowed to be sent to the United States from Hong Kong:

• • Any kind of weapons, bullets, explosives and other arms and supplies
• • Narcotics and Illegal Substances
• • Pornographic materials, such as pornographic magazines, DVDs, etc.
• • Pirated products, such as pirated CDs, counterfeit brand products, etc.
• • Concentrated Foods and Supplements
• • Animals, plants and their products, such as meat, plant seeds, etc.
• • Currency, metal bars or ancient coins
• • Any flammable, explosive or radioactive items
• • Alcoholic Beverages
•  

Please note that certain items may also be subject to restrictions when sent to the United States, such as cigarettes, electronic products, beauty cosmetics, etc. In addition, please pay extra attention that even daily necessities such as food, medicine, consumer goods, etc. are stipulated to be carried only within the personal use limit. Therefore, when preparing to send a package to the United States, it is best to check the restrictions of the destination state in advance to ensure that it complies with local laws.

 

Restrictions and precautions for sending packages from Hong Kong to the United States

In addition to paying attention to prohibited items, packages sent from Hong Kong to the United States are also subject to other restrictions. Here are some key points that must be noted:

Weight and volume restrictions

• Most courier companies in Hong Kong have a weight limit for parcels sent to the United States, which is generally 30 kilograms or less
• The express delivery company will also stipulate the maximum package volume, which usually must not exceed the size of a large suitcase

 

Package Appearance Requirements

• There should be no blood stains, stains or unknown powder on the surface of any package
• Packages must be sealed with new packaging materials and cannot be repackaged with second-hand packaging items or old newspapers
• Packages should be marked with clear postage information, recipient address, etc.
•  

Correct declaration required

• Each package must list all contents and declare its value
• If the content is a gift, it must be marked ""GIFT"" and the relationship between the recipient and the sender
• It is illegal to deliberately misstate or conceal content information

How long does it take to ship from Hong Kong to the United States? How long does it usually take?

The time it takes to ship from Hong Kong to the United States varies depending on the transportation method and service provider used. The shipping status is as follows:

Air express service

• The most common and fastest way, it usually takes 3-5 working days to ship from Hong Kong to the United States
• The service quality and prices of different express delivery merchants vary, such as UPS, Fedex, etc.

Ship to USA Shipping Service

• Compared to air services, which are cheaper, ocean shipping takes longer
• It usually takes 20-25 days to ship from Hong Kong to the West Coast of the United States
• It will take 25-30 days to ship to the East Coast of the United States
•  

Surface/Air Mail Services

• It is the ordinary postal service of Hong Kong Post, so the price is the most affordable
• But it takes the longest, and it takes about 30-40 days to send it from Hong Kong to the West Coast of the United States
• It will take about 35-45 days to ship to the East Coast of the United States

Generally speaking, if you need faster delivery, 3-5 days for air express is ideal; if you are not in a hurry, you can save a lot of money by sea shipping.

No matter which method is used, sufficient delivery time must be reserved.

 

How much does it cost to send something to the United States? Learn about the cost structure in this article

The cost of sending a package from Hong Kong to the United States will be affected by many factors, including package volume, weight, which service provider is used, shipping method, etc. The combination of different factors can make a big difference in the cost.

Generally speaking, in addition to the freight itself, the levy items for parcels sent from Hong Kong to the United States are also quite complicated. Here is a quick look at the fee structure:

A. Shipping fee

• Calculated based on package weight and volume
• If you use SF Express to ship a 20kg parcel to San Francisco, the shipping fee will be approximately HK$390
• If you send it by post office with the same weight and destination, the shipping fee is only HK$95

B. Fuel surcharge

• Adjusted year-on-year due to fluctuations in jet fuel prices
• Generally, additional levies will be imposed depending on the weight of the package

C. Goods tax (customs declaration fee)

• Only applicable to some shipping methods, such as air or express delivery
• For example, SF Express industrial and commercial projects are subject to a 3.4% goods tax

D. Remote service fee

• Additional charges for delivery to locations other than those specified
• Calculated based on final location

E. Insurance premium

• Protects package from damage or loss during transit
• Premiums are levied based on the insured amount, approximately $0.4 per $100 of insured amount

F. Bundling fee

• If you need courier to pick up the goods at your home
• Usually about HK$13

G. Value-added service fee

• If you need urgent service, designated time delivery, etc.
• Additional fees will be calculated depending on the specific service content
•  

In summary, the postage cost for shipping from Hong Kong to the United States can be as low as a dozen US dollars, or as high as several hundred Hong Kong dollars.

It is recommended to check the transportation company information, compare and calculate the overall cost in advance to choose the most suitable and affordable plan.

 

Advantages and disadvantages of sending surface mail to the United States from Hong Kong

The easiest and most affordable way to send packages to the United States is naturally to use Hong Kong Post's surface/air mail services. However, compared with air express and sea transportation, surface mail service has the following advantages and disadvantages worth considering:

Advantages:

1. The cheapest postage discounts offered by Hong Kong Post are very large. After last year’s adjustment, some of the thresholds were further lowered, which is definitely the most affordable method.

Example:

• Weight: 0.5kg. Shipping to mainland United States - surface mail HKD 51
• Weight: 2kg, shipped to mainland United States - surface mail HKD 97

1. Simple and straightforward process

   Users only need to go to the nearest Hong Kong post office to purchase the required postage and then send it directly. There are no other processing fees.

2.  

3. Shipping guaranteed

   Hong Kong Post provides basic protection against mail lost in transit, up to HK$20,000.

Disadvantages:

1. Slowest shipping time

   On average, it takes 30-45 days to arrive at the destination, which is a long waiting time.

2. Tracking in written form

   Because it is an economical transport, the package cannot be tracked electronically, and the progress of the package can only be requested in writing.

3. No delivery service

   Surface mail can only be delivered to designated post offices or delivery centers, and there is no door-to-door service. The recipient needs to pick it up by themselves.

4. Not suitable for sending valuable items

   A single item only provides low-amount insurance coverage, and you may not be able to claim if important items are lost.

5. Cannot add value-added services

   Surface mail does not provide value-added services such as expedited delivery, paid additional tracking, or designated delivery times.

From a comprehensive and rational perspective, Hong Kong surface mail is also suitable for use when there is no need to be too anxious, with the advantages of simple procedures and low fees. However, if there are strict time requirements or valuable items are sent, regular mail is the only option.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Shipping from Hong Kong to the United States

 

Another cost-effective way is to send packages from Hong Kong to the United States via shipping/sea freight. The shipping cost is roughly between that of surface mail and air express. It is cheaper than air transportation and is also faster than surface mail. However, we must also consider its advantages and disadvantages:

Advantages of sea transportation:

1. Faster than regular mail

   Although it is not as good as air shipping, if compared with the 20-30 day flight time, it is already half the time faster than surface mail. Suitable for items that are time-conscious but don’t need to be urgent.

2. The cost is much lower than air freight

   Shipping costs are much cheaper than air express and other air transport methods, and the savings are especially obvious for major packages.

3. Convenient service inquiry

   Most shipping service providers have online inquiry and tracking systems to provide more real-time status.

4. Large items can be sent

   Bulky items can be shipped by ship without any upper limit. Charges are calculated based on volume and weight only.

5.  

Disadvantages of sea shipping:

1. The voyage is always longer

   Even though it is time-saving compared to surface mail, the arrival time is still several times shorter than air freight. There are risks with slow settlements.

2. Packaging and handling required

   You must package and secure the wiring harness yourself before shipping, otherwise you may incur additional packaging charges.

3. Venue restrictions apply

   You may need to use the shipping company's specific freight location to complete relevant procedures, which is more inconvenient.

4. Not suitable for sending valuables

   Unless you pay higher shipping premiums, it is not recommended to ship expensive items by ship.

5. Additional charges will apply if moving is required

   If the package is far away from the designated delivery point, the other party may still charge additional transportation fees.

In summary, compared to surface mail, which is the lowest budget option, shipping is a ""you get what you pay for"" transportation solution that is pragmatic and takes both time and cost-effectiveness into account, and is suitable for the delivery of most general commodities.

 

Customs declaration instructions - declare correctly to avoid being blocked

No matter which method is used to send packages to the United States from Hong Kong, customs clearance procedures must be completed, otherwise the package will not be delivered smoothly. Things to note at this stage include:

• Declaring cargo information

• • All items in the package must be accurately declared
• • Indicate the name, quantity, weight, amount/value, etc. of the goods
• • Deliberate concealment or false reporting will be verified and subject to inspection and fines

• Product Classification and Taxation

• • Identify goods item number, tariff and tax rate
• • Declare properly to avoid import taxes or additional levies

• Customs clearance document preparation

• Most shipping merchants provide one-stop online customs declaration services
• Just fill in the required information online, such as invoices, packing lists, etc.
• Also ensure that the package itself is clearly marked with the contents and information and the mail specifications meet the requirements
•  

• The package itself also has appearance specification requirements

• There should be no stains, blood stains, powder or other abnormal objects on the surface of the package
• New packaging must be sealed and labeled with complete address information
•  

Solicit professional advice

• Unexperienced people may consider seeking professional advice from a customs broker
• Most small and medium-sized shipping operators are willing to handle customs clearance procedures for customers
• Ensures compliance with local regulations and procedures

Although the customs declaration steps seem complicated, as long as you declare honestly and meet relevant requirements, the customs declaration process is basically not difficult. If you handle it carefully, you will be able to pass the customs efficiently and smoothly.

 

Ratings and brief analysis of major international couriers shipping to the United States

FedEx

• As one of the leading express delivery companies in the United States, it has unparalleled advantages in sending packages to the United States
• Excellent timeliness, it only takes 2-4 working days from Hong Kong to the United States
• The service network covers all parts of the United States and has a wide range of delivery channels
• Provide a variety of professional value-added services, such as electronic signature, delivery signature, etc.
• The charges are relatively high, but it is the most reliable choice for urgent items and valuable items
• The disadvantage is that price transparency is low and individual quotations are required

Overall score: 8.5 points

 

UPS

• Another well-known American express delivery brand, which is comparable to FedEx in terms of service quality
• The delivery time from Hong Kong to the United States is about 3-5 days, and the entire process can be tracked
• Charging is entirely based on weight, and the calculation method is straightforward
• Provide value-added services such as medical hotline, pre-delivery reporting, etc.
• The delivery range is wide, and there is no obstacle to delivery to remote areas
• The only drawback is that there are not many discounts for small and medium-sized packages

Overall score: 9 points

 

Aramex

• The largest freight and logistics company in the Middle East, it also ranks well in the field of shipping from Hong Kong to the United States
• Air transportation takes approximately 4-6 working days to arrive
• Provide full package levy information, the price is relatively transparent and reasonable
• Value-added services such as signing for receipt before delivery, door-to-door pickup, etc. are all available
• Flexible payment channels, you can choose prepayment or pay on delivery
• The disadvantage is that there are fewer outlets and the delivery coverage is relatively narrow

Overall score: 7 points

 

Hong Kong Post (Air Express)

• Engaged in traditional postal services, air express delivery can be regarded as express delivery services
• It takes about 5-7 working days to arrive from Hong Kong to the West Coast of the United States
• Low fees and unparalleled price advantage
• Easy shipping and checking online or at the post office
• Supports multiple payment methods such as cash and credit card
• The disadvantage is that there is no value-added service and there is no inquiry during delivery
• More restrictions on valuable or large items
• Overall score: 6 points

SF Express

• As the largest express delivery company in Hong Kong, it has rich experience in sending goods to the United States
• Standard air express delivery takes 3-6 days and can be delivered directly to most areas in the United States
• The service network covers the entire United States, and there are many delivery points without geographical restrictions
• The charges are relatively advantageous, and single payment and monthly settlement systems are provided
• Various value-added service options such as electronic waybills, expedited shipments, etc.
• Occasionally there are complaints about unstable service quality, and there will be additional charges for urgent shipments

Overall score: 7 points

 

Quantium Solutions (Singapore)

• An international logistics and freight company headquartered in Singapore
• Hong Kong’s air transportation service to the United States takes about 4-6 working days
• Charges are transparent and freight can be calculated based on actual weight
• A variety of value-added service options, such as confirmation before delivery, door-to-door collection, etc.
• Supports various online payment channels with simple procedures
• The disadvantage is that there are fewer outlets and the service coverage is not as extensive as that of big brands
• Services for urgent or oversized packages are relatively lacking

Overall score: 7 points

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