What DDP actually means on the China–USA lane
DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) is the term under which the seller — or the forwarder acting for the seller — takes responsibility for the shipment all the way to the buyer's address in the United States. Freight, US customs entry, import duties and final delivery are all arranged and paid by us. You approve one landed figure before the cargo moves, and nothing further is owed when the goods arrive.
The alternative, DDU (sometimes called DAP), leaves the import side with you: the cargo arrives at a US port or airport and you, or your customs broker, handle entry and pay the duties.
The steps, in order
- Pickup and export. We collect from your supplier anywhere in China, consolidate at our warehouse and lodge the Chinese export declaration.
- Main carriage. Ocean freight (FCL or LCL) or air freight, depending on your deadline and budget.
- ISF filing. For US ocean shipments, Importer Security Filing (the "10+2" data set) must be lodged with US Customs before the container is loaded at origin. We prepare and file it as part of the DDP service.
- US customs entry. Under DDP we act as importer of record through our US broker, so the entry, customs bond and duty payment are handled by our side.
- Duty payment. Duty is assessed on the declared value, HS classification and origin. Additional duties can apply to certain Chinese-origin goods under current trade measures — these change, so we confirm the applicable rate for your specific commodity before quoting.
- Final delivery. From the port or airport to your door, warehouse or fulfilment centre.
Who is the importer of record under DDP?
Under DDP we take that role, which is why you do not need your own US customs bond or importer number for the shipment to clear. If your business prefers the import to be declared under your own company — some buyers do, for accounting or compliance reasons — tell us and we will structure it as DDU with your broker handling entry.
What we need from you for a landed quote
- Commodity description and HS code if you know it
- Total weight and volume, or carton count with dimensions
- Pickup city in China and delivery address with ZIP code in the USA
- Whether cargo is ready now, and your target arrival window
Rates and transit times depend on route, season and cargo, so we quote per shipment rather than publishing a price list. Send us your cargo details and we will come back with a landed figure under DDP or DDU terms.
Shipping cargo from China on this lane?
Send us your cargo details and we will come back with a landed cost under DDP or DDU terms. Rates and transit times are quoted per shipment — they depend on route, season and cargo.