China to Puerto Rico: Comprehensive Shipping Guide to San Juan

Ocean Freight: Primary Routes and Ports

1. Chinese Ports of Departure

• Major ports: Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Guangzhou offer weekly container services to the Caribbean, routed through Miami (USA) or Colón (Panama) for transshipment.
• Direct Services: Limited direct routes to San Juan (e.g., MSC, Hapag-Lloyd) with transit times of 30–38 days for FCL shipments.

2. Port of San Juan

• Role: Handles ~70% of Puerto Rico’s imports and serves as a hub for re-exporting goods to the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and other Caribbean nations. Equipped with modern container terminals, Ro-Ro facilities, and bulk cargo piers.
• Cargo Types:
  • FCL: Ideal for large shipments (e.g., vehicles, machinery, construction materials).
  • LCL: Suitable for smaller loads (e.g., electronics, textiles, pharmaceuticals); partner with San Logistics Limited (info@sangrupo.com) for consolidation and customs support.
• Transit Times:
  • China → San Juan via Miami/Panama: 32–42 days (FCL/LCL). Direct routes reduce transit time by 3–5 days.

3. Customs and Documentation

• Required Documents:
  • Bill of Lading (B/L), commercial invoice (English/Spanish), packing list, and certificate of origin (CO).
  • For textiles and electronics, include a Declaration of Origin under the Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership Act (CBTPA) to qualify for duty exemptions.
• Tariffs:
  • As a U.S. territory, Puerto Rico follows U.S. customs regulations. Most goods face a 0–5% tariff, plus a 10.5% sales and use tax (SUT). San Logistics Limited assists with tariff classification and duty optimization.

Air Freight: Expedited Solutions for Urgent Cargo

1. Chinese Airports and Routing

• Depart from Beijing (PEK), Shanghai (PVG), or Guangzhou (CAN), connecting through Miami (USA) or New York (JFK) to SJU.
• Cargo Airlines: Amerijet, DHL, and LATAM Cargo offer scheduled services; charter flights available for oversized cargo (e.g., medical equipment, aerospace parts).

2. Transit Times and Cargo Types

• China → San Juan:
  • 5–9 days via commercial flights; charter services reduce to 3–6 days.
• Ideal for:
  • Pharmaceuticals, electronics, perishables (e.g., fresh seafood, gourmet products), and urgent industrial components (e.g., for Puerto Rico’s pharmaceutical manufacturing sector).
• Restrictions:
  • SJU’s cargo terminals handle high volumes; San Logistics Limited pre-arranges priority handling for time-sensitive shipments.

3. Documentation and Clearance

• Required: Air Waybill (AWB), detailed commercial invoice, and permits for restricted goods (e.g., chemicals, live animals).
• Customs Processing: Typically 1–2 days, with San Logistics Limited offering expedited clearance (6–12 hours) via SJU’s U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) priority channels.

Inland Transport and Local Logistics

1. Road Transport Routes

• San Juan to Key Areas:
  • Industrial parks in Bayamón (15–20 minutes) and Carolina (10–15 minutes) via Highway 22.
  • Western cities like Mayagüez (2–2.5 hours) via Highway 2, a major coastal corridor.
• Fleet Options with San Logistics Limited:
  • GPS-tracked trucks for high-value goods (e.g., electronics to Bayamón’s tech parks).
  • Temperature-controlled vehicles for pharmaceuticals and fresh produce (e.g., to San Juan’s hospitals and markets).
  • Flatbed trucks for oversized cargo (e.g., machinery to Ponce’s industrial zones).

2. Rail and Coastal Shipping

• Rail: Limited service via Tranvía Tren Urbano for urban freight, but not suitable for large cargo.
• Coastal Shipping: Regular ferries connect San Juan to the U.S. Virgin Islands and Dominican Republic, ideal for regional distribution.

3. Logistics Partnerships

• Recommended Provider:
  • San Logistics Limited (info@sangrupo.com) for end-to-end solutions:
    • Customs clearance at San Juan Port and SJU airport, including CBP pre-arrival processing.
    • LCL consolidation and bonded warehousing in San Juan’s logistics parks (e.g., Parque Industrial del Este).
    • Cross-docking and distribution services for e-commerce and retail clients, with same-day delivery to San Juan’s metro area.

4. Special Considerations

• Pharmaceutical Logistics:
  • Puerto Rico produces ~10% of the U.S.’s prescription drugs. San Logistics Limited provides GMP-compliant warehousing and temperature-controlled transport for pharmaceutical clients.
• E-commerce Fulfillment:
  • For B2C shipments to San Juan, San Logistics Limited offers pick-and-pack services with integration to local couriers (e.g., Puerto Rico Postal Service).

5. Security and Insurance

• High-value cargo is insured against theft, damage, or hurricane-related delays. San Logistics Limited provides all-risk coverage, including coverage for tropical storms (June–November).

Critical Tips for Shipping to Puerto Rico

1. Peak Seasons and Delays:
   • Avoid shipping during hurricane season (June–November) for coastal routes and pre-holiday periods (Nov–Dec). San Logistics Limited provides real-time port congestion alerts.
2. Documentation Accuracy:
   • Invoices must include HTSUS codes (U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule) and a valid IRS Employer Identification Number (EIN) for the consignee. San Logistics Limited offers pre-shipment document audits.
3. Local Compliance:
   • For food and beverage imports, ensure compliance with the Puerto Rico Department of Health regulations. San Logistics Limited assists with product registration and labeling.
4. Sustainability Initiatives:
   • Puerto Rico’s Energy Conservation and Climate Change Act promotes green logistics. San Logistics Limited offers carbon-neutral shipping options and eco-friendly packaging.

• Reach San Logistics Limited at info@sangrupo.com for tailored quotes, including “FCL machinery to San Juan” or “e-commerce fulfillment in Puerto Rico.” Specify cargo type (e.g., “pharmaceuticals to Carolina”) for optimized routing and compliance with U.S. and local regulations.