You found a supplier in China, agreed on a unit price, and now you need the goods at your warehouse in Texas or your Amazon prep center in California. The quote says door to door, but what does that cover? Who handles export customs, US import clearance, duties, and the final truck? This guide walks through the real process so you can compare quotes and avoid the usual delays.
What door-to-door shipping really means
Door-to-door shipping is a bundle of services, not a single company. A typical shipment involves:
- Your supplier, who packs and labels the goods
- A freight forwarder or China-based logistics coordinator, who books space and handles origin paperwork
- A carrier, such as an airline, ocean line, or express network
- A US customs broker, who files the import entry
- A trucking company or parcel carrier, who delivers to your address
Some forwarders sell a DDP service (Delivered Duty Paid). The seller or forwarder quotes one price and handles freight, clearance, and duties. DDP can be convenient, but ask for a cost breakdown by HS code. Otherwise you cannot tell whether the duty is correct or whether the quote includes destination fees.
DAP (Delivered at Place) means the forwarder brings the goods to your door but you or your broker handle import clearance and duties. DAP often gives you more control, especially if you already have a customs broker or need to manage product compliance.
| Term | Who books freight | Who clears US customs | Who pays duty |
|---|---|---|---|
| EXW | You | You | You |
| FOB | You | You | You |
| DAP | Forwarder | You or your broker | You |
| DDP | Forwarder or seller | Forwarder or seller | Forwarder or seller |
If a supplier offers DDP and you do not know the importer of record, ask before you pay. The importer of record is legally responsible for the entry, so this is not a detail to leave vague.
Choose the right shipping mode
The right mode depends on cargo size, value, deadline, and product type. Small parcels and samples usually go by express. Heavy or bulky goods usually go by sea. Air freight sits in between.
| Mode | Typical transit time | Best for | Watch-outs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Express courier | 3 to 7 days | Samples, small parcels, urgent replacements | High cost per kg; size and weight limits |
| Air freight | 7 to 12 days airport to airport, plus clearance and delivery | Mid-size shipments, time-sensitive stock | Chargeable weight, battery or liquid restrictions |
| Sea LCL | 30 to 45 days port to port, plus inland | 1 to 15 CBM, mixed SKUs | Consolidation delays, destination fees |
| Sea FCL | 30 to 40 days port to port, plus inland | Full container loads, bulky goods | Higher upfront cost, need enough volume |
These transit times are estimates. Port congestion, weather, holidays, and customs exams can add days. A good forwarder gives you a range, not a single guaranteed date. For a first shipment, add buffer time before your launch or stockout date.
Step-by-step: from supplier to your door
1. Check the supplier and the product before shipping
Before you book freight, confirm that the factory can produce the product you approved. A pre-shipment inspection checks quantity, function, packaging, labels, and carton marks. If the product needs certificates, such as FCC, FDA, or CPSC-related documentation, collect them before the cargo leaves China. Fixing compliance after the container is on the water is expensive.
2. Confirm the shipping terms and address
Decide whether you are buying EXW, FOB, DAP, or DDP. Confirm the exact delivery address, whether it is commercial or residential, and whether you need a liftgate. If you ship to Amazon FBA, check the warehouse code, appointment rules, and labeling requirements. A cheap door quote can turn into a surprise fee if the truck cannot unload.
3. Get accurate cargo data
Ask the supplier for carton dimensions, gross weight, total CBM, and SKU counts. For air freight, chargeable weight may be based on volume, not actual weight. For ocean freight, even small measurement errors affect LCL charges. Also get the HS code for each product. The HS code drives duty and import requirements, so do not let anyone guess.
4. Book the forwarder and decide who clears customs
Share the cargo data, supplier address, delivery address, and target date. Ask for a quote that separates origin charges, freight, destination charges, duty, and delivery. If you use DDP, ask who is the importer of record and how duty is calculated. If you use DAP, confirm your customs broker has the commercial invoice, packing list, and arrival notice.
5. Prepare export documents and packaging
The supplier should provide a commercial invoice and packing list that match the goods. Cartons need clear marks: SKU, quantity, dimensions, weight, and made-in-China label where required. If you have multiple suppliers, a consolidation warehouse can receive the goods, check cartons, and combine them into one shipment. This is often cheaper than shipping several small parcels.
6. Inspect before the goods leave
Book the inspection before cartons are sealed or at least before the container is loaded. Take photos of cartons, labels, and samples. If the factory is far from the port, a local team can visit, check the goods, and send a report the same day. This step catches problems while the supplier can still fix them.
7. Export customs in China
The forwarder or supplier handles export declaration. The cargo needs a valid export port, and the documents need to match. If the supplier cannot export directly, a trading company or forwarder may handle the export. Ask who is listed as shipper on the bill of lading or airway bill. This matters for payment and customs.
8. Transit and US import clearance
For ocean freight, the Importer Security Filing (ISF) is usually filed 24 hours before loading. For air freight, the airline provides arrival notice. Your customs broker files the entry, pays duty, and arranges release. If CBP selects the shipment for an exam, the forwarder should tell you the cost and timeline before it happens. For regulated products, other agencies may review the entry.
9. Last-mile delivery
After customs release, the container moves to a warehouse or directly to your address. LCL cargo may need to be picked up from a consolidation warehouse unless you paid for delivery. FCL cargo may need a chassis, appointment, or unloading equipment. Confirm who handles the final mile and who pays for waiting time.
Documents you should have
- Commercial invoice with value, HS code, and country of origin
- Packing list with carton counts, weights, and dimensions
- Bill of lading for ocean or airway bill for air
- ISF filing confirmation for ocean shipments
- US customs entry and duty summary
- Product certificates if required
- Cargo insurance certificate if insured
Keep digital copies. If a customs broker or trucker asks for a document, you want it within minutes, not days.
Costs: what is included and what is not
A door-to-door quote can include many items. Ask for each line in writing.
| Cost item | Usually included in DDP? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Origin pickup | Often | Confirm if supplier is far from port |
| Export customs | Often | Check if any license is needed |
| Ocean or air freight | Yes | Rates change with season and fuel |
| US customs clearance | Yes | Broker fee may be separate |
| Duty and tariffs | Yes, in DDP | Ask for HS code and rate |
| Destination fees | Sometimes | LCL warehouses charge fees |
| Last-mile delivery | Often | Residential, liftgate, appointment may cost extra |
| Cargo insurance | Rarely | Buy it separately for high-value goods |
A quote that is much lower than others often leaves out destination fees, duty, or delivery. Compare the scope, not just the total.
Common mistakes and red flags
- A DDP quote with no HS code breakdown
- No pre-shipment inspection
- Supplier packs goods without export carton marks
- Missing ISF or late documents
- Using the wrong importer of record
- Ignoring product compliance until arrival
- Booking a delivery address that cannot accept a truck
- Paying the full supplier balance before inspection
If a forwarder avoids questions about duty, importer of record, or destination fees, slow down. Good operators explain the process in plain language and put fees in writing.
How to choose a China-based team
You need someone who can visit the factory, speak Chinese, check cartons, and talk to the forwarder. Look for:
- Staff based in China who can visit suppliers
- Inspection reports with photos and measurements
- Clear fee sheets, not vague all-in prices
- Experience with your product category
- A US customs broker partner or a clear handoff
- References from buyers with similar shipment sizes
For a first shipment, a small test order and a pre-shipment inspection tell you more than a long contract.
Quick checklist before you book
- Supplier verified and product sample approved
- HS code confirmed for each SKU
- Cargo dimensions, weights, and CBM checked
- Incoterm agreed: EXW, FOB, DAP, or DDP
- Importer of record and customs broker confirmed
- Pre-shipment inspection booked
- Commercial invoice and packing list ready
- Delivery address and equipment confirmed
- Duty, destination fees, and insurance quoted separately
- Buffer time added for customs or port delays
Door-to-door shipping works best when each handoff is clear. The freight quote is only one part. Supplier checks, correct documents, and a delivery plan decide whether the cargo arrives on time and without surprise costs.
Globesino works as a China-based concierge for overseas buyers, handling supplier checks, inspections, consolidation, and door-to-door delivery to the USA so you can keep control without managing every local step yourself.