The United States is the single largest destination for Chinese steel structure exports (about 5.84% of the category). Reshoring, e-commerce warehousing and AI-driven data centre construction are all pushing up demand for long-span steel buildings. Bear in mind that the US applies Section 232 tariffs on imported steel and AD/CVD measures on Chinese steel structures, so in practice projects are delivered as "US-code design and detailing plus compliant fabrication and assembly" rather than shipping finished buildings.
How US projects are usually delivered
Between Section 232 tariffs and AD/CVD, the all-in duty on finished structures is high. The common route is: we complete US-code design, connection details and shop drawings, the steel and fabrication are arranged in a compliant source agreed with the client, and assembly and erection happen on site. This satisfies code review while keeping duties and compliance risk under control.
- US-code design, AISC connection details and welding procedures (WPS/PQR)
- Material to ASTM A992 / A36 or equivalent Q355B, with mill certificates
- Third-party inspection (TPI) and factory pre-assembly checks on request
US codes and climate loads
Loads follow IBC and ASCE 7, members and connections are checked to AISC 360, and seismic systems follow AISC 341. The US spans very different climates: the Gulf and East Coast face hurricanes, northern states see ground snow loads of 40–70 psf, and California lies in a high-seismicity zone.
- Wind/snow: values from the site ASCE 7 wind zone and ground snow load, with denser roof fixing
- Seismic: special or intermediate ductile systems to AISC 341 with ductile connections
- Corrosion: C2–C3 inland; C4–C5 coastal and industrial, hot-dip galvanised or galvanised plus coating
- Fire: UL / FM listed intumescent coatings or board systems to the required rating
Delivery and logistics: Shanghai / Ningbo to US ports
Knocked-down members ship from Shanghai or Ningbo to Los Angeles–Long Beach, Houston, Savannah and New York–New Jersey, with packing lists, member marking drawings, erection sequence and US-code calculations.
- Detailing 10–15 days, fabrication 30–45 days, ocean 18–35 days depending on route
- FOB / CIF / DAP terms; we support US customs documents and ISF filing
- High loading density: fewer containers per tonne, lower unit freight cost
Frequently asked questions
Are there duty issues shipping to the US?
Can you issue US-code calculations?
Who handles erection in the US?
Send the span, use, state and site conditions — we reply with a US-code structural solution and budget price within 48 hours.
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