Xiamen to Charleston shipping route.

Xiamen to Charleston is a 10,684 nautical mile shipping route via Panama Canal, heading north from China to the United States. That is 19,786 km of water against 13,372 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 37.1 days at 12 knots, 31.8 days at 14 knots and 24.7 days at 18 knots. Liner schedules on the lane quote 25 to 56 days port to port, because the services call at other ports and some transship. Over the last 30 days we counted 47 sailings by 6 carriers (CMA CGM, COSCO, Evergreen, Hapag-Lloyd and Maersk).

The next option is via Suez Canal, 12,286 nautical miles, 1,602 nm longer than the main route. Carriers pick it when Strait of Gibraltar 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 CNXMN to USCHS start at $8,626 for a 20GP and $8,350 for a 40GP ($8,400 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 62 port to port routes from Xiamen in this directory, Charleston is the 57th shortest. Closer destinations include Houston (10,628 nm), Santos (10,550 nm) and Gothenburg (10,471 nm).