DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) shipping from China to the USA transfers all transport risks, customs clearance duties, and import taxes from the buyer to the logistics provider. This service covers factory pickup in China, export licensing, international freight (ocean or air), US customs entry, and final-mile delivery to commercial addresses, private warehouses, or Amazon FBA fulfillment centers.
Trusted by over 500+ US importers, hardware brands, and Amazon FBA sellers, our DDP framework is engineered to bypass complex US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) filings, eliminate surprise port fees, and secure predictable landed costs per unit prior to cargo dispatch.
Service Scope
Origin Coverage: Factory pickup across major Chinese manufacturing hubs (Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Ningbo, Shanghai, Qingdao, Xiamen, Yiwu).
Destination Coverage: All US mainland commercial ZIP codes, private warehouses, 3PL facilities, and Amazon FBA warehouses (e.g., ONT8, LAX9, CLT2).
Cargo Types: Full Container Load (FCL), Less than Container Load (LCL), Air Freight, and Express Courier options.
Incoterms: DDP (Incoterms 2020 compliant). All tariffs, merchandise processing fees (MPF), and harbor maintenance fees (HMF) included in initial quotations.
Shipping Options
|
Mode |
Transit Time |
Best Suited For |
Minimum Volume |
|
Ocean FCL (20GP / 40HQ) |
25 - 35 days |
Bulk inventory, heavy machinery, high-volume SKUs |
1 Container |
|
Ocean LCL |
30 - 40 days |
Mid-size shipments, trial orders, space-sharing |
1 CBM |
|
Air Freight |
5 - 8 days |
High-value electronics, urgent stock replenishment |
100 kg |
|
Express / DDP Air |
3 - 5 days |
Samples, lightweight e-commerce parcels |
21 kg |
Cargo Requirements
Packaging Standards: 5-layer corrugated master cartons, ISPM 15 heat-treated wood pallets (maximum height 72 inches for standard FBA specs), and drop-tested packaging for fragile goods.
Labeling: GS1-128 barcode labels for Amazon FBA or standard shipping marks (side, front, back) clearly printed in waterproof ink.
Restricted / Prohibited Items: Lithium batteries (must pass UN 38.3 test summaries), FDA-regulated items (prior notice required), and EPA-regulated chemicals. Dangerous goods (DG) require MSDS/SDS approval prior to booking.
Process
Booking & Factory Pickup: Forwarder coordinates with the Chinese supplier, verifies packing lists, and loads cargo at the factory dock or consolidates at a regional warehouse.
Export Customs Clearance: Submission of Chinese customs declaration, commercial invoice, and commodity inspection (if applicable).
Main Carriage: Vessel departure from ports like Yantian, Ningbo, or Shanghai to US ports (LA/LB, New York, Savannah), or flight departure from PVG/SZX to LAX/JFK.
US Customs Entry: Importer Security Filing (ISF-10) filed 24 hours pre-loading; formal or informal entry cleared via Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Duties and tariffs settled.
Deconsolidation & Final Delivery: Cargo stripped at container freight stations (CFS), loaded onto 53-foot dry vans or LTL trucks, and delivered directly to the designated US destination.
Transit Time & Cost Factors
Port Congestion: Seasonal volume surges (August–October peak season, pre-Lunar New Year rush) extend vessel turnaround times by 5 to 10 days.
Customs Examinations: Random CBP Non-Intrusive Inspection (NII) or Intensive Tail Exams add 3 to 7 business days and incur exam station fees.
Dimensional Weight: Air freight rates apply the greater of actual gross weight or volumetric weight calculated as Length x Width x Height (cm) / 5000.
Chassis Availability & Drayage: Trucking availability at US West/East Coast ports impacts final-mile delivery schedules.
Customs & Documentation
Required documentation checklist for compliant US import clearance:
Commercial Invoice (CI): Must detail accurate HS codes, unit values in USD, material composition, and complete manufacturer details.
Packing List (PL): Matches gross/net weights and carton counts precisely with the physical cargo.
Bill of Lading (BOL) / Air Waybill (AWB): Master and house bills issued upon departure.
Power of Attorney (POA) / Customs Bond: Continuous or Single Entry bond filed with US Customs via licensed customs broker.
Operational Control & Quality Assurance
Cargo Inspection Protocols: Pre-shipment container loading supervision (CLS) to verify carton integrity, pallet stackability, and count accuracy before sealing.
Tracking & Visibility: GPS-enabled container tracking and milestones updated via automated API integration from port gate-in to final-mile POD (Proof of Delivery).
Liability & Insurance: All-risk cargo insurance coverage under Institute Cargo Clauses (A) protecting against physical loss or damage from warehouse to warehouse.
FAQ
Q: Are there any hidden fees beyond the DDP quotation?
A: No. Standard DDP rates include origin pickup, export fees, ocean/air freight, US customs duty, tariffs (including Section 301 tariffs where applicable), and standard final-mile delivery. Extra fees apply only if the destination requires tail-lift trucks, residential delivery, or incurs storage/detention fees caused by delayed receiver appointments.
Q: Do I need my own US Customs Bond to ship DDP?
A: Under standard DDP terms, the logistics provider utilizes a customs entry setup that covers import compliance. However, high-value commercial importers or frequent shippers are advised to hold their own Continuous Customs Bond.
Q: How are Section 301 tariffs handled for goods subject to Chinese tariffs?
A: Accurate 10-digit US Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) codes must be provided upfront. Our customs team calculates the exact tariff percentage during quotation so duties are fully prepaid before vessel arrival.
Request a Quote
Provide your shipment specifications to receive a verified, all-inclusive DDP rate within 4 business hours:
Pickup City / Zip Code in China & Delivery Zip Code in USA
Cargo Description & HTS Code (if known)
Total Gross Weight (kg) & Total Volume (CBM)
Packaging Type (Pallets vs. Cartons)
Target Ready Date