Hong Kong to Charleston shipping route.

Hong Kong to Charleston is a 10,939 nautical mile shipping route via Panama Canal, heading north from Hong Kong to the United States. That is 20,259 km of water against 13,711 km as the crow flies. On the way the vessel passes Panama Canal, so canal transit fees and waiting time at the canal are part of every voyage.

At sea, the voyage lasts 38.0 days at 12 knots, 32.6 days at 14 knots and 25.3 days at 18 knots. Liner schedules on the lane quote 31 to 48 days port to port, because the services call at other ports and some transship. Over the last 30 days we counted 35 sailings by 4 carriers (CMA CGM, Maersk, MSC and ZIM).

The next option is via Suez Canal, 12,061 nautical miles, 1,122 nm longer than the main route. Carriers pick it when Suez Canal is congested or closed.

367 nm of the route, 3% of it, lies inside North American ECA. In an emission control area ships must burn fuel with no more than 0.1% sulphur or clean the exhaust with scrubbers. That fuel costs more, and carriers add it to the ocean freight bill as a low sulphur or ECA surcharge.

Recent freight rates for HKHKG to USCHS start at $7,212 for a 20GP and $9,165 for a 40GP ($9,215 for a 40HC). These are spot market prices from carriers that sail the lane; your quote will also include terminal handling, documentation and any bunker surcharge. At Charleston (USCHS) carriers give about 4 free days before demurrage and detention charges start, so plan the truck or rail pickup before the box lands.

Of the 63 port to port routes from Hong Kong in this directory, Charleston is the 60th shortest. Closer destinations include Houston (10,884 nm), Gdansk (10,642 nm) and Buenos Aires (10,544 nm).