The US carpet market is dominated by a handful of large manufacturers and distributors — which means retail carpet prices remain significantly higher than what direct factory sourcing would achieve. For US retailers, e-commerce sellers, and commercial buyers, importing carpets directly from Chinese factories offers a compelling economics story: 45-70% cost savings compared to purchasing from US distributors, with equivalent or superior quality.
Our Tianjin Wuqing factory has been exporting carpets directly to US buyers for over 15 years. Here's the complete guide to wholesale carpet importing for the US market in 2026.
The case for direct import is primarily economic, with quality and customization benefits adding additional value:
The landed cost is what your carpet actually costs delivered to your US warehouse. Here's how to calculate it:
Example: Printed carpet 80×150cm (0.6 sqm per rug)
US distributor equivalent: $12-18/pc
Savings: $7-13/pc = 55-75%
Example: Shaggy rug 120×180cm
US distributor equivalent: $35-55/pc
Savings: $25-45/pc
Note on Section 301 tariffs: As of 2026, there are no additional Section 301 tariffs imposed on carpet imports from China. The Trump administration tariffs (2018-2020) on Chinese goods were largely removed or reduced under the Phase One trade agreement, and no new carpet-specific tariffs have been imposed. Standard MFN duty rates (6-8%) apply.
Understanding US import duties is straightforward for carpet imports:
Your customs broker calculates and pays duties to CBP at the port of entry. The duty is based on the FOB invoice value shown on the commercial invoice — not the CIF value or the selling price in the USA. This means the duty calculation is transparent and predictable.
Los Angeles / Long Beach (California): The primary entry point for US carpet imports from Asia. Direct routes from Tianjin/Xingang take 14-20 days. Highest container volume and most competitive freight rates of any US port. Best for: West Coast buyers, inland empire/central US buyers (via rail), nationwide distribution hubs.
Houston (Texas): Gulf Coast entry point growing in popularity. Transit from Asia via Pacific crossing then around the Gulf. Good for Texas, Louisiana, and southeastern US buyers. Transit time add 5-7 days compared to West Coast.
Seattle / Tacoma (Washington): Pacific Northwest entry point. Similar transit times to LA. Good for Pacific Northwest buyers (Washington, Oregon, northern California). Lower volume than LA but more relaxed port congestion typically.
New York / New Jersey: East Coast entry point. Longer transit from Asia (22-28 days) but convenient for Northeast US buyers. Higher freight rates from Asia to East Coast typically. Best for: Northeast US buyers only.
For Amazon FBA sellers: US e-commerce sellers using FBA should factor in the cost of preparing shipments for Amazon's requirements. Our factory can apply FNSKU labels and packaging per Amazon specifications as part of the OEM custom packaging process. Carpet products for FBA should be compactly rolled and polybagged for efficient inbound shipping. Contact us for FBA-specific pricing on label application and polybag packaging.
Yes — carpet dropshipping from China is possible but requires careful logistics planning. Standard dropshipping from China directly to US consumers is challenging because: 1) sea freight takes 14-20 days, 2) customs duties apply to each shipment and must be prepaid, 3) CBP requires an importer of record for each shipment. The practical approach is to have your freight forwarder act as the importer of record, hold inventory in a US warehouse, and ship domestically from there. China-direct dropshipping is rarely cost-effective for carpets due to freight transit times and customs complexity.
Your customs broker handles all CBP interaction. The process: we provide commercial invoice and packing list before shipment; your broker files an entry summary with CBP upon arrival; CBP examines shipments selectively (most carpet imports pass through without examination); your broker calculates and collects duties which are remitted to CBP; upon release, your broker arranges delivery to your warehouse. For most first-time importers, the broker's fee ($150-400 per entry) is a minor cost relative to the savings from direct sourcing.
Ocean freight rates from Tianjin/Xingang to US West Coast (Los Angeles, Seattle) have ranged from $0.30-0.60/pc for rolled carpets (or $0.50-0.90/sqm) depending on season and carrier. As of 2026, freight rates are stable at the lower end of this range. Always get freight quotes that include origin handling, ocean freight, and destination port charges — some quotes exclude one or more of these components.
For most carpet imports, basic marine cargo insurance covering loss and damage during transit is advisable. The cost is typically 0.2-0.5% of the insured value. For CIF or DDP quotes, our factory or freight forwarder typically arranges insurance as part of the quoted price. For FOB quotes, you arrange and pay for insurance separately. Given the relatively low value of carpet shipments, the insurance cost is typically $30-80 per 20ft container — a minor expense relative to the cargo value.
Sea freight from Tianjin/Xingang to Los Angeles or Seattle: 14-20 days in normal conditions. To Houston: add 5-7 days (18-27 days total). To New York/New Jersey: 22-28 days. Total door-to-door time from deposit payment to arrival at your US warehouse: 45-60 days for West Coast, 50-65 days for Gulf Coast, 55-70 days for East Coast. These timelines should be factored into inventory planning — most importers maintain 6-10 weeks of forward stock.