How to Import Furniture from China

Classify it first

Furniture is mostly classified in chapter 94 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule, split by material and use: wooden, metal, plastic, upholstered seats, bedroom, kitchen, and office. The exact code sets the base duty and decides whether extra duties apply, so confirm it before you agree a price.

The extra duties that catch furniture importers

• Section 301 tariffs apply to most furniture from China, on top of the normal duty rate.
• Wooden bedroom furniture from China is covered by a long-standing antidumping duty order, and the rate depends on the manufacturer.
• Additional tariffs on some furniture categories, such as upholstered seating and kitchen cabinets, have been added and changed several times since 2025.
• Rates move often. We check the current rate for your exact items before you order.

Rules for wood, finishes, and safety

• Lacey Act: wood and other plant-based products need a declaration naming the species and country of harvest.
• TSCA Title VI: composite wood such as MDF and particleboard must be certified and labeled for formaldehyde emissions.
• ISPM 15: wooden pallets and crates must be heat treated and stamped, or the shipment can be refused.
• Children’s furniture falls under CPSC rules, and furniture sold in California must meet upholstery flammability labeling.

Packing and container loading

Furniture fills a container by volume long before it reaches the weight limit, so a 40 foot high cube is the usual choice. Flat-pack designs, knock-down legs, and nested items can cut your freight cost per piece sharply. Ask the factory for carton dimensions early and get a loading plan before production ends.

Damage is the other big cost. Corner protectors, foam, moisture-absorbing packs, and drop-tested cartons matter on a month-long ocean voyage. A pre-shipment inspection that checks packing as well as finish is worth it on a first order.

Freight options for furniture

Most furniture moves by sea freight, FCL for a full range or LCL for a few pieces or samples. For mixed orders from several factories, consolidating in China into one container is cheaper than several LCL shipments. Sea transit to Los Angeles and Long Beach is about 16 to 24 days port to port, plus a day or two of trucking to San Diego.

What changes when the goods are going to San Diego

Very little Asia container traffic calls directly at San Diego, so ocean cargo for San Diego businesses clears at Los Angeles or Long Beach and trucks south, about two hours. Budget that leg into your delivered cost. San Diego importers who also buy from Mexico can combine an ocean lane from China with land freight through Otay Mesa, and it pays to use one broker for both so the entries, bond, and classifications line up.

Where to start

If you are sourcing, begin with our sourcing agent in China and read how we clear furniture and home goods imports. If you want one delivered price, ask about DDP shipping.