How to Send Inventory From China to a US 3PL

Trying to get your goods to a 3PL partner in the States? You’re in good company. In 2024, over 50% of US retailers increased their reliance on third-party logistics (3PL) providers to manage imports from Asia, and that number is still climbing in 2025. 

The reason? A perfect storm of rising tariffs, collapsing airfreight lanes, and tighter customs policies are making it harder and more expensive to get inventory from China into US warehouses.

In fact, FreightWaves reports that Chinese ecommerce airfreight demand could drop by 40% as brands abandon high-cost cross-border shipping in favor of smarter, localized fulfillment. Meanwhile, upcoming de minimis reforms could erase duty-free treatment for low-value shipments. It may further squeeze margins for DTC brands like yours which makes having a local 3PL all the more necessary to smooth things over

Luxury fashion brand Brandon Blackwood, for example, is doubling down on higher inventory accuracy and 3PL coordination. Giants like Nike have re-engineered their supply chains, building regional fulfillment nodes (smaller distribution hubs placed closer to major customer bases across the US).

But, we have a feeling you already know a bit about this since this headline caught your eye. We’re going to cut to the chase and break down exactly how to send inventory from China to a US 3PL, step by step. 

Here’s how leading brands are doing it and how you can apply their tactics, even without a large budget.

How to Ship Products From China to a US 3PL

Before booking freight or picking a 3PL, you need to get clear on what exactly you're shipping, and how it will be classified at the border. This process can be a pain in the neck, but it will make things so much easier down the line.

Start with the basics: 

• Know your HTS code (Harmonized Tariff Schedule code): This is a 10-digit number used by US Customs to classify goods and assign the correct duty rate. For example, cotton T-shirts have a different HTS code than plastic phone cases, and each may carry different import taxes or restrictions.

• Know your material composition or what your product is made of (e.g., 80% cotton, 20% polyester). This influences both the HTS classification and potential regulatory checks (especially for textiles, electronics, or food).

• Know the unit cost: This is the declared value of each item and determines if the shipment qualifies for duty exemptions like Section 321 (de minimis) and whether it may trigger extra scrutiny.

  • De Minimis: If the value of each shipment is under $800 and sent to individual consumers, it may bypass duties entirely, but only if it’s structured properly.

But this is about to change. As of May 2, 2025, a new executive order will eliminate the de minimis exemption for products from China and Hong Kong. 

• Specify use case: This is a clear description of the product’s function (e.g., "used for home fitness" or "children’s sleepwear"). It can influence inspection risk or require safety certifications.

  • Many delays and fines are caused by vague product descriptions or incomplete paperwork. A shipping label for example that says ‘plastic accessory’ isn’t going to cut it with US Customs.

Instead, provide detailed commercial invoices, packing lists, and product descriptions before your goods leave the factory, not when they land at the port.

These four details determine not only the tariff rate you’ll pay, but whether your shipment qualifies for special programs like de minimis, or gets flagged for inspection.

Once you have those details, take these steps:

1. Create a detailed commercial invoice for each shipment, listing product names, quantities, unit values, HTS codes, and full descriptions.

2. Add a packing list that matches the invoice exactly.

3. Share all documents before departure, not after arrival.

We recommend working with a licensed US customs broker from day one. Brokers help you:

• Classify products correctly.

• Flag compliance risks before departure.

• Submit documents via ACE (Automated Commercial Environment), the US government's central import processing system.

If you're shipping to a 3PL in the US, make sure they’re ready on the receiving end. Some 3PLs require you to pre-advise shipments, label products a certain way, or share import documents in advance to avoid delays on arrival. And your 3PL will NEVER be the importer of record. You can read more on why not here.

If you’re currently relying on de minimis for cross-border fulfillment, now is the time to adapt. Your options include shifting to bulk imports with US-based 3PL fulfillment, sourcing from alternative countries, or adjusting your pricing and supply chain model.

How Shein Sends Inventory from China to US 3PLs

Shein built its business on shipping low-value parcels directly from China to US consumers, exploiting the de minimis exemption to avoid duties on packages under $800. But in 2025, that model is collapsing. New US tariffs and the proposed elimination of de minimis for China are forcing Shein to shift to bulk shipping and domestic 3PL fulfillment.

Here’s how Shein´s process works, step by step:

• Shein collects SKUs from multiple suppliers at a centralized consolidation hub in China. This allows them to pack full containers efficiently and avoid partial shipments that waste space and money.

• Working with licensed US customs brokers, Shein prepares detailed commercial invoices, product descriptions, and HS code declarations before goods leave the port.

• With the elimination of de minimis instead of airfreight or small parcels, Shein now ships full container loads (FCL) via ocean freight. Containers are sealed at origin and only opened once they arrive at the designated 3PL facility in the US.

• For eligible products, Shein leverages Entry Type 11, a form of informal entry used for low-value, low-risk shipments. This method allows goods valued under $2,500 (and not subject to duties or import restrictions) to be cleared without requiring a customs bond or formal entry process.

  • Entry Type 11 is often used for merchandise like apparel or accessories that fall below the threshold and are not subject to Partner Government Agency (PGA) requirements (like FDA or CPSC).

• Shein now operates an 800,000 sq ft warehouse in Cherry Valley, CA, part of a larger facility pre-leased in 2022 to streamline US distribution and customs clearance.

These investments reduce reliance on direct China shipments, helping Shein cut delivery times and stay competitive post-tariffs.

• Before containers arrive, Shein sends ASNs (Advance Shipment Notifications) and digital packing lists to its US 3PLs.

• Upon arrival, Shein’s 3PL partners scan inventory into their warehouse management systems (WMS), match it against ASNs, and store it by SKU for rapid order fulfillment.

• Once inventory is in place, Shein leverages its domestic 3PL network to fulfill US orders directly. 

If you’re evaluating a new 3PL for this kind of shift, a proper on-site warehouse visit is crucial. Knowing what to look for, from receiving operations to security protocols, can help you avoid costly mistakes once inventory starts arriving.

How Brandon Blackwood Sends Inventory from China to a US 3PL

Brandon Blackwood, a luxury accessories brand recently shifted from in-house fulfillment to a structured 3PL setup to improve accuracy, speed, and customer experience.

In a Chain Store Age interview, logistics director Neema Frazier explained how the company reworked its inbound flow from China to US warehouses.

• The brand outsourced fulfillment to a 3PL after internal ops couldn’t keep up with growth. Inventory was arriving late or incomplete due to poor coordination.

• To fix this, they began requiring Advance Shipment Notifications (ASNs) from all suppliers. Each supplier now sends a digital notice with shipment details (SKU count, box dimensions, weight, and ETA) before the container even leaves China.

• This data is uploaded into the 3PL’s Warehouse Management System (WMS), so the receiving dock knows exactly what to expect. 

• When the goods arrive, the warehouse staff cross-checks incoming boxes against the ASN automatically, catching any discrepancies before they hit the shelves.

• In parallel, the brand activated real-time inventory tracking across both inbound shipments and warehouse stock. This lets the ops team monitor container locations during transit and view stock levels by SKU as soon as items are scanned in.

• All suppliers in China now follow a strict packing and labeling protocol, enabling faster check-in at the US 3PL and reducing returns.

We pulled a good quote for you out of the article: 

“If your 3PL doesn’t know what’s coming, how much, or when, your inventory gets buried the second it hits the dock.” — Neema Frazier

Why You Should Take Ownership of Freight and Customs

When choosing freight and customs partners for US 3PL shipping, it’s tempting to let your factory handle everything.Many offer FOB (Free on Board) or DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) terms – but this can backfire. 

Sellers often learn too late that the factory has shipped under-invoiced, mislabeled, or missing key documents, triggering customs holds, fines, or even lost inventory.

Instead, you should manage the logistics chain directly or through a trusted freight forwarder. 

This ensures:

• The freight forwarder is someone you trust.

• You or your agent are the ones verifying document accuracy (e.g. invoices, packing list, ISF filing).

• Your 3PL is always notified in advance and ready to receive.

• You stay in control of timelines and accountability.

Some advanced 3PLs can help with portions of this process, especially coordinating with the forwarder once the freight is in transit. However, the initial handoff and customs management should be handled by you or your freight partner, not the factory.

How to Choose Freight and Customs Partners For Shipping to a US 3PL

The biggest headaches in shipping come down to communication gaps between suppliers, freight forwarders, customs, and your 3PL.

To avoid costly errors, you need two things. 

1. A modern freight forwarder that gives you control and visibility of your shipments

2. A clear understanding of who’s handling what, from document prep to customs to final delivery. 

Here’s what you should ask your forwarder before using them:

• Do you offer live container tracking?

• Will you file ISF and customs docs for me?

• Do you have local agents in China and the US?

• Can you coordinate directly with my factory and my 3PL?

Talk to OTW Shipping about US Fulfillment

Relocating inventory from China to a US 3PL is about making sure every step, from supplier to warehouse shelf, runs on time and without surprises in delivery or cost.

The companies doing this well all have one thing in common. They treat logistics as core infrastructure, not just backend ops. At OTW Shipping, that’s what we’re all about. We’ve been helping DTC businesses like yours deliver effectively in the States for over half a decade. Our goal is to feel like a mom-and-pop 3PL while giving you access to all the tech of a large-scale provider.

When you ship with OTW Shipping, you get:

• Fast and accurate fulfillment – 99.99% order accuracy ensures customers get what they expect, on time.

• Optimized shipping – Multiple warehouse locations mean lower shipping costs and faster delivery.

• Real-time communication – A dedicated support team available through our Slack-like channel, so you always know what’s happening with your orders and can communicate quickly with customers.

• Scalable solutions – Whether you're expanding your eCommerce store or breaking into retail, our custom fulfillment plans grow with you.

Ship smarter with OTW Shipping and give your US customers a five-star experience from checkout to delivery. One you can't get fulfilling from anywhere else.

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