Car/Vehicle Shipping Cost from Shanghai to Reno, Nevada

Ocean freight from Shanghai to the USA takes 15 to 40 days (port-to-port), depending on the type of load (FCL or LCL) and the port of arrival – West Coast is generally faster to reach from China than East Coast ports. Air freight is much faster, with expedited options ranging from 1 to 3 days.

It's usually cheaper to drive for shorter distances, but for long cross-country moves, shipping can become competitive or even cheaper when you factor in the "hidden" costs of driving (gas, hotels, food, wear-and-tear) versus the upfront shipping fee, especially if you're moving with others or have an unreliable car.

Yes, you can buy a car in China and ship it to the US, but it's extremely difficult and costly for most cars due to strict US safety/emissions rules (FMVSS/EPA), high tariffs (especially for EVs), and complex regulations, usually requiring professional importers for expensive modifications or relying on the rare 25-year import rule. It's generally only feasible for unique or vintage cars (over 25 years old) or very specific manufacturer-approved imports, not standard new cars.