China–USA Sea Freight in June 2025: Stabilization Ahead After Volatile Q1

As the global supply chain recalibrates from the disruptions of recent quarters, the China–USA sea freight corridor — one of the busiest and most vital trade lanes — is showing signs of stabilization in June 2025. Despite lingering concerns over port congestion and shipping costs, freight forwarders and logistics providers report improved reliability, steady rates, and increased shipping demand from Chinese exporters to the United States.

Freight Rates Show Signs of Normalization

According to data from major shipping platforms and freight forwarding companies, average FCL (Full Container Load) shipping rates from China to the U.S. West Coast have held steady at around $3,000–$3,200 per 40-foot container, marking a 10% drop from the seasonal highs in March. LCL (Less than Container Load) shipping has also benefited from capacity recovery, with average rates per CBM down by 8%.

This shift can be attributed to:

Increased vessel availability from major carriers like Maersk and COSCO

Normalized export demand after the Q1 surge ahead of tariff adjustments

Eased congestion at Los Angeles and Long Beach ports

Logistics experts note that shippers are now regaining confidence in sea freight schedules, particularly on high-volume routes like Shenzhen to Los Angeles and Ningbo to New York.

DDP Shipping Gains Popularity Among SME Exporters

One of the notable shifts this quarter is the rise in DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) shipping requests. Many U.S. importers, particularly e-commerce and Amazon FBA sellers, prefer simplified logistics processes that cover duties, customs clearance, and last-mile delivery in a single solution. Freight forwarders in China are responding with end-to-end DDP services that include:

Customs declaration at origin

Sea freight to U.S. ports

Inland trucking or final-mile courier services

This comprehensive service not only reduces the burden on importers but also shortens delivery times to final destinations such as Amazon fulfillment centers.

FBA Sellers Rushing to Replenish Inventory

Mid-year restocking is underway for many Amazon sellers in the U.S., driving demand for China to USA FBA shipping services. According to a logistics report from Passionship Logistics, FBA sea shipments have risen by 18% month-over-month as sellers prepare for Q3 sales events like Prime Day and the back-to-school season.

To meet this demand, freight forwarders are offering tailored FBA shipping options, including:

FCL and LCL shipping directly to Amazon warehouses

Scheduled sailings with guaranteed delivery windows

Integration with Amazon appointment systems

This marks a strategic advantage for sellers aiming to avoid stockouts or late check-ins that can hurt seller performance metrics.

Looking Ahead: What to Expect in H2 2025

While macroeconomic uncertainties — including U.S. tariff revisions and rising fuel prices — still pose challenges, most logistics analysts are cautiously optimistic about the China–USA sea freight market in the second half of 2025.

Key trends to watch:

Possible capacity tightening in late Q3 ahead of peak season

Further adoption of eco-friendly shipping solutions

Growing demand for real-time freight tracking and AI-powered route optimization

For shippers seeking cost-effective, reliable, and transparent shipping solutions, partnering with an experienced freight forwarder from China to USA remains critical. As competition intensifies, choosing flexible providers that offer DDP, FCL, LCL, and FBA-oriented shipping solutions can significantly improve supply chain efficiency.