What Door-to-Door Shipping Actually Covers
When a supplier says 'we ship door to door,' ask what they mean. True door-to-door service picks up goods at the factory, handles export clearance in China, books international freight, clears customs in your country, pays duties and taxes (if DDP), and delivers to your address. Many quotes stop at the port.
Incoterms matter. FOB means you take over at the Chinese port. DDP means the seller or forwarder delivers to your door with duties paid. DAP is similar but you pay import duties. Small importers often choose DDP for simplicity, but you lose visibility on freight costs. Ask for a cost breakdown.
Compare Shipping Modes Before You Book
| Mode | Best for | Typical transit time | Cost level | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Express courier (DHL, FedEx, UPS) | Samples, small parcels under 50 kg | 3–7 days | High per kg | Limited to small sizes; high duties |
| Air freight | 50–500 kg, urgent restocks | 5–12 days | Medium-high | Airport fees, minimum charges |
| Sea LCL (less than container load) | 1–15 CBM, non-urgent | 25–40 days | Low per CBM | Consolidation delays, destination fees |
| Sea FCL (full container) | 15+ CBM or full container | 20–35 days | Lowest per CBM | Container deposit, loading supervision |
| Rail (China-Europe) | 1–5 CBM to Europe | 20–30 days | Medium | Limited routes, weather delays |
Transit times vary by port, season, and customs. Chinese New Year (late Jan to mid Feb) and Golden Week (early Oct) slow everything down. Book at least 3–4 weeks before those holidays.
Step 1: Get Your Supplier and Goods Ready
Before booking freight, confirm the supplier can pack for export. Ask for:
- Export carton dimensions and gross weight per carton
- Pallet dimensions if palletized
- Shipping marks (product name, SKU, quantity, destination)
- Any special requirements (fragile, liquid, battery, magnetic)
If you buy from several suppliers, consolidate. A forwarder can pick up from each factory and bring goods to a warehouse for combined shipping. This saves money but adds 3–7 days. Inspect before consolidation. A pre-shipment inspection catches defects before goods leave China. Many buyers skip this and discover problems after the container arrives.
Step 2: Choose the Right Incoterm and Forwarder
Common Incoterms for small importers:
- EXW (Ex Works): You arrange everything from the factory. Not ideal if you don't have a Chinese agent.
- FOB (Free On Board): Supplier delivers to the port and handles export clearance. You pay freight and import.
- CIF (Cost, Insurance, Freight): Supplier pays freight to your port. You still handle import clearance and duties.
- DDP (Delivered Duty Paid): Seller or forwarder delivers to your door with duties paid. Easiest but least transparent.
- DAP (Delivered at Place): Delivered to your door, but you pay import duties.
Vet your forwarder. Ask for:
- Business license and NVOCC/FMC number (if applicable)
- Cargo insurance options
- Written quote with all fees listed
- Tracking method and response time
- References from buyers in your country
Avoid forwarders who only quote a low per-kg rate and then add 'destination charges,' 'customs exam fees,' or 'document fees' later. Get a landed cost estimate in writing.
Step 3: Prepare Customs Documents
Missing documents cause the most delays. Prepare:
- Commercial invoice (value, description, HS code, Incoterm)
- Packing list (carton count, dimensions, weights)
- Bill of lading (sea) or air waybill (air)
- Certificate of origin (if claiming preferential duty)
- Product certificates (CE, FCC, RoHS, FDA, etc., depending on product and country)
- Import license or permit (for restricted goods)
Check the HS code with your customs broker. A wrong code can mean higher duty or a customs hold. Declare the real value. Under-declaring to save duty is risky: customs can fine you, seize goods, or audit future shipments.
Step 4: Understand Duties, Taxes, and Hidden Fees
Door-to-door cost is more than freight. A typical breakdown:
| Cost item | Who pays (DDP) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Factory pickup | Forwarder | Sometimes free within city |
| Export clearance | Forwarder | Included in quote |
| Freight | Forwarder | Air or sea |
| Insurance | Buyer or forwarder | Usually 0.3–0.5% of cargo value |
| Import clearance | Forwarder | Broker fees |
| Duty and VAT/GST | Forwarder (DDP) | Based on declared value and HS code |
| Terminal handling | Forwarder | Port or airport charges |
| Delivery to door | Forwarder | Liftgate may cost extra |
Ask for a sample landed cost calculation for your product. If a DDP quote seems too low, it may exclude VAT, use a questionable HS code, or hide destination fees.
Step 5: Inspect Before You Ship
Quality problems are cheaper to fix in China. Three inspection points:
- During production: Check materials and workmanship early.
- Pre-shipment inspection (PSI): After production, before packing. Check quantity, function, packaging, labels.
- Container loading: Watch goods load, confirm carton count, take photos.
A local inspector can visit the factory, communicate in Chinese, and send a report with photos. This costs far less than reworking or scrapping goods after they arrive.
Step 6: Track and Receive Your Shipment
Get a tracking number and know the milestones: departed origin, arrived destination port, customs cleared, out for delivery. For sea freight, ask for the vessel name and ETA. For air, get the air waybill number.
On delivery, inspect cartons before signing. Note damage on the delivery receipt and photograph it. File claims quickly. Cargo insurance pays only if you document the damage.
How to Reduce Door-to-Door Costs
- Consolidate shipments from multiple suppliers into one container or LCL.
- Choose sea freight for non-urgent goods over 100 kg.
- Avoid express courier for heavy items; air freight is cheaper per kg above 50 kg.
- Ship full containers if you have more than 15 CBM.
- Negotiate with your supplier on FOB terms and compare forwarder quotes.
- Book early; last-minute space costs more.
- Use a customs broker who knows your product category.
Common Mistakes That Cost Money
- Choosing the cheapest forwarder without checking hidden fees
- Skipping pre-shipment inspection
- Using the wrong HS code
- Under-declaring value
- Shipping during Chinese New Year without buffer time
- Forgetting that batteries, liquids, and magnets need special handling
- Not consolidating small orders from multiple suppliers
When a Local Team Saves You Time
If you don't speak Chinese, can't visit factories, and don't want to manage three suppliers, a local concierge team can handle supplier follow-up, factory audits, inspection, consolidation, and door-to-door shipping. Globesino works with overseas buyers to source, check, and deliver products from China. You get one contact for sourcing, quality control, and logistics.