Best Alternatives to DHL for Shipping from China and Hong Kong to the USA

Recent DHL Service Changes for Shipments to the USA

As of April 21, 2025, DHL Express has announced significant changes to its shipping services for shipments to the United States with a customs value exceeding USD 800. Due to new U.S. Customs regulations effective April 5, 2025, which lowered the threshold for formal entry processing from USD 2,500 to USD 800, DHL is experiencing multi-day transit delays for such shipments. To manage this surge in formal customs clearances, DHL has temporarily suspended business-to-consumer (B2C) shipments to private individuals in the U.S. with a declared value over USD 800 until further notice. This is why we are exploring alternatives to DHL shipping particular for eCommerce merchants that are still sourcing from China.

Business-to-business (B2B) shipments to U.S. companies with a value above USD 800 are not affected by the suspension but may also face delays. Shipments with a customs value below USD 800, whether B2C or B2B, remain unaffected by these changes. This development has prompted many businesses, particularly those shipping from China and Hong Kong, to seek reliable alternatives to maintain their supply chain efficiency. With these changes impacting DHL services, many businesses—particularly those operating in China and Hong Kong—may need reliable alternatives. The China-to-USA shipping corridor represents one of the world’s most significant cross-border ecommerce routes. The best options depend on your shipping needs—such as speed, cost, and regional coverage—but several carriers and solutions consistently stand out for this specific route.

Understanding the China/Hong Kong to USA Shipping Landscape

The Asia-to-USA corridor is a critical route for global cross-border ecommerce. Chinese manufacturers and sellers contribute significantly to this trade flow, with many businesses relying on efficient express shipping services to reach US consumers. Any disruption in established shipping services requires businesses to quickly identify alternatives that can maintain their supply chain efficiency.

Key Challenges in China/Hong Kong to USA Shipping

Businesses shipping from China and Hong Kong to the USA face several unique challenges³:

• Customs Documentation: Accurate HS codes, commercial invoices, and product descriptions are essential for clearing US customs efficiently
• Compliance with Section 321: Many shipments rely on the Section 321 de minimis provision for duty-free entry under $800
• Language and Time Zone Differences: Support for Chinese-speaking merchants and around-the-clock service accessibility
• Chinese Holiday Impacts: Planning around Chinese New Year and other holidays that affect shipping timelines
• First-Mile Pickup in Remote Manufacturing Areas: Many products originate in manufacturing centers away from major logistics hubs

Major International Shipping Alternatives for China/Hong Kong Shippers

FedEx

• Robust Asia-Pacific infrastructure with major sorting centers in Guangzhou and Hong Kong⁵
• Specialized China-US trade lanes with dedicated customs clearance teams
• International Priority and Economy services available from all major Chinese cities
• China-specific advantage: FedEx’s International Connect Plus (FICP) service designed specifically for China-origin cross-border ecommerce
• Performance from Hong Kong/China to USA: Average transit time of 3-5 days for priority shipments, 5-8 days for economy options

UPS (United Parcel Service)

• Strong presence in China with numerous branches and operating facilities
• Dedicated China-US gateway in Shanghai with direct flights to US hubs
• Worldwide Express and Expedited services available throughout China’s eastern manufacturing regions
• China-specific advantage: UPS Trade Direct service that consolidates multiple shipments from different Chinese suppliers
• Performance from Hong Kong/China to USA: Average transit time of 3-6 days for express shipments, 5-10 days for standard service

SF Express

• China’s largest express delivery company, increasingly serving international routes
• Expanded US operations with dedicated US-China shipping services
• Especially strong in first-mile collection throughout China, including remote manufacturing areas
• China-specific advantage: Extensive domestic China network provides superior pickup capabilities in manufacturing regions
• Performance from Hong Kong/China to USA: Average transit time of 5-10 days

China Post/ePacket

• Official postal service option with extensive reach throughout all Chinese regions
• ePacket service specifically designed for lightweight ecommerce shipments to the USA
• Most economical option for low-value, non-urgent shipments
• China-specific advantage: Ability to reach even the most remote areas for first-mile pickup
• Performance from Hong Kong/China to USA: Average transit time of 10-20 days

Regional and Specialized Alternatives for China/Hong Kong Shippers

Yanwen

• Chinese logistics company specializing in cross-border ecommerce
• Partners with USPS for last-mile delivery in the USA
• Competitive pricing for small parcels up to 2kg
• Performance from Hong Kong/China to USA: Average transit time of 8-15 days

4PX

• Alibaba-backed Chinese cross-border logistics provider
• Multiple service lines including express, standard, and economy options
• Integrated with major ecommerce platforms popular with Chinese sellers
• Performance from Hong Kong/China to USA: Average transit time of 7-15 days

YunExpress

• Focuses on cross-border B2C ecommerce logistics from China¹⁷
• Offers special line services for US destinations with optimized customs clearance
• Strong integration with Chinese marketplace platforms
• Performance from Hong Kong/China to USA: Average transit time of 8-14 days

Consolidation Shipping Methods

Consolidation shipping represents another approach that many businesses use when shipping from China/Hong Kong to the USA¹⁸. This method involves:

1. Strategic Consolidation in Hong Kong and China Hubs: Multiple B2C shipments are consolidated in logistics facilities located in major Chinese export centers. This can include:
2. Collection from factories across various Chinese provinces
3. QC inspection and verification of goods against customs documentation
4. Packaging optimization to reduce dimensional weight
5. Real-time tracking initiation with Chinese-language support
6. Air Freight to US Ports: Consolidated shipments travel via air freight to major US ports of entry, where they undergo customs clearance before final distribution.
7. B2B Customs Clearance Process: Consolidated shipments are processed through customs as B2B transactions rather than individual B2C shipments, which can simplify certain aspects of the clearance process.
8. Final Mile Separation and Delivery: Once cleared through US customs, shipments move to regional distribution centers where they’re separated according to final destinations and delivered through appropriate carrier networks.

Several logistics companies offer these consolidation services, including ZhenHub and FlexPort, each with their own network and capabilities.

Special Considerations for Hong Kong vs. Mainland China Shipments

The shipping landscape differs somewhat between Hong Kong and mainland China, with important distinctions for businesses to consider:

Hong Kong Advantages

• Simplified customs procedures and documentation requirements
• No export taxes or duties from Hong Kong
• Generally faster clearance times for outbound shipments
• More frequent flight schedules to major US destinations
• Exempt from certain US tariffs that affect mainland China goods

Mainland China Considerations

• Additional export documentation requirements
• Export taxes may apply to certain product categories
• Potential impact of US-China tariffs on certain goods
• More complex regulatory environment
• Greater availability of manufacturing-adjacent logistics services

For businesses operating in both regions, using facilities in both Hong Kong and mainland China allows for strategic shipment routing based on product category, urgency, and cost considerations.

Summary Comparison of All Alternatives for China/Hong Kong to USA Shipping

Carrier	Strengths for China/HK Shipments	Best For	Typical Transit Time
FedEx	Strong China presence, dedicated trade lanes	High-value, urgent shipments	3-8 days
UPS	Extensive China infrastructure, direct flights	B2B, high-value, heavy items	3-10 days
SF Express	Superior Chinese domestic coverage	Shipments from remote manufacturing areas	5-10 days
China Post/ePacket	Economical, reaches all Chinese regions	Low-value, non-urgent shipments	10-20 days
Yanwen	Cost-effective for small parcels	Lightweight ecommerce goods	8-15 days
4PX	Strong marketplace integration	Chinese platform sellers	7-15 days
YunExpress	B2C ecommerce specialization	Direct-to-consumer brands	8-14 days
Consolidation Services (ZhenHub)	Efficiency for multiple shipments	Cross-border B2C to US	5-12 days

Choosing the Right China/Hong Kong to USA Shipping Alternative

• For high-value, time-sensitive shipments from major Chinese cities, FedEx and UPS remain strong contenders.
• For economy shipments where cost outweighs speed, China Post/ePacket provides comprehensive coverage at lower price points, with the tradeoff of longer delivery windows.
• For ecommerce businesses with consistent shipping volume, consolidation approaches may offer cost advantages while maintaining reasonable delivery times for China-to-US routes.
• For businesses manufacturing in remote Chinese regions, SF Express offers extensive first-mile pickup capabilities combined with reliable international delivery performance.
• For Hong Kong-based operations seeking to leverage the region’s special trade status, solutions with dedicated Hong Kong air freight connections provide both compliance advantages and speed benefits.

Chinese and Hong Kong businesses shipping to the USA should evaluate their specific requirements—including product type, typical order value, manufacturing location, and customer expectations—to select the most appropriate shipping solution. By carefully assessing these factors against the strengths of different carriers and shipping methods, businesses can maintain efficient operations even when faced with changes to their existing shipping arrangements.

ZhenHub gives you access to a global fulfillment network, allowing you to reach internationally. Ensure that all onboarding kits are adequately handled at each stop and delivered securely to their final destination. Sign up today and see how digital solutions can transform your logistics. Contact our fulfillment experts to learn more about cross-border shipping.