DDP and door to door
DDP shipping from China: one price, delivered to your door
With DDP, we arrange the freight, customs at both ends, and duties and taxes, then deliver to your address. You approve the price before anything ships, and no duties are collected at delivery for the goods and values you declared.
DDP vs DDU
DDP vs DDU: who pays what
DDU is an older term. Under current Incoterms, the closest match is DAP (Delivered at Place), but most sellers and suppliers still say DDU.
DDP (Delivered Duty Paid)
- Freight to destination
- Included
- Import customs clearance
- Arranged by us
- Import duties and taxes
- Included in the quote
- Charges collected at delivery
- No duties, for the goods and values declared
- Import VAT reclaim (UK/EU)
- Usually not possible unless the entry is in your name
- Suited to
- Amazon FBA, first-time importers, deliveries to customers
- Price certainty
- Higher: duties are built into the quote
DDU (Delivered Duty Unpaid)
- Freight to destination
- Included
- Import customs clearance
- Your customs broker, or us on request
- Import duties and taxes
- Paid by you on arrival
- Charges collected at delivery
- Duties, taxes and possibly clearance fees
- Import VAT reclaim (UK/EU)
- Possible if you're VAT-registered
- Suited to
- Importers with their own broker and import accounts
- Price certainty
- Lower: the duty bill comes later
Importer of record
Whose name is on the import entry?
Every import has an importer of record: the party customs holds responsible for the declaration, the duties and any questions afterward. It matters because:
- Amazon won't act as importer of record for FBA inventory.
- Liability follows the name on the entry. If customs later questions a value or a classification, the importer of record answers for it.
- VAT recovery depends on it. In the UK and EU, VAT-registered businesses can usually reclaim import VAT only when the entry is in their own name.
On DDP, you choose: our importer-of-record arrangement or your own. For the US, that's either an importer of record we arrange through a partner US customs broker, or you as importer of record with your own bond. For the UK, EU and Canada, we explain the options for your shipment when we quote. Either way, it's confirmed in writing before you book.
How it works
How a DDP shipment works
- 01
Tell us exactly what's in the boxes
Product description, material, use, unit value and quantity. Duties are calculated from this, so vague descriptions lead to wrong quotes.
- 02
We check duties and quote
We look up the likely tariff classification and current duty rates for the destination, and build them into a single price.
- 03
Pickup and export
Collection from your suppliers, export declaration and loading.
- 04
Import clearance and duties
Customs clearance at destination, with duties and import taxes paid as quoted.
- 05
Delivery
To an Amazon fulfillment center, a 3PL, an office or a residential address.
Delivery terms we offer
Door to door
From your supplier's factory to your address. The simplest option, and the most common one for Amazon sellers.
Get a quote: Door to doorDoor to port or door to airport
We deliver to the destination port or airport, and your broker takes it from there.
Get a quote: Door to port or door to airportPort to door or airport to door
Your supplier delivers to the Chinese port or airport, and we take it from there.
Get a quote: Port to door or airport to doorPort to port or airport to airport
Main freight leg only, for importers who manage both ends themselves.
Get a quote: Port to port or airport to airport
FAQ
DDP FAQs
Question not answered here?
Message our shipping team directly, in English or Chinese.
Ask on WhatsAppIs DDP more expensive than DDU?
Usually somewhat, in total. You're paying for a fixed landed price and not having to deal with customs yourself. If you're VAT-registered in the UK or EU, factor in that DDP under another party's registration can mean you can't reclaim the import VAT.
Can the DDP price change after I book?
The price is based on the goods, values and quantities you declare. It can change if what actually ships is different, if customs reclassifies the goods, or if duty rates change before arrival. Tariffs on Chinese goods have changed often in recent years. If that happens, we show you the customs assessment and the difference before anything extra is paid.
Can I use DDP for goods going to Amazon FBA?
Yes, and most sellers without their own broker do. Amazon won't pay import charges or act as importer of record. See Amazon FBA shipping.
Are there goods you can't ship DDP?
Yes. Some products need licenses, certificates or registrations in the destination country, or carry a high risk at customs. Examples include some food, cosmetics, medical devices and branded goods without authorization. We'll tell you before quoting if yours falls into one of these.
Can I use my own customs broker?
Yes. Choose DDU or door to port, and your broker handles clearance. We send them the documents before arrival.
Related pages
- Amazon FBA shipping
Amazon FBA freight forwarder in China: pickup from all your suppliers, prep and labels, customs and DDP delivery to FBA in the US, UK, Canada and EU.
- Sea freight
FCL and LCL sea freight from Shenzhen, Ningbo and Shanghai to the USA, UK, Canada and Europe. Port to port, door to door or DDP to Amazon FBA. Get a quote.
- Air freight
Urgent, Standard and Economy air freight from China to the USA, UK, Canada and Europe. Airport or door delivery, DDP available. Send cargo details for a quote.
- USA
Ship from China to the USA by sea, air or express, DDP or DDU, to your warehouse or Amazon FBA. Pickup, prep and US customs planned up front. Get a quote.
- Europe
Ship from China to Germany, France, the Netherlands and across the EU by rail, sea, air or express. EORI, import VAT and Amazon EU planned. Get a quote.
- FAQ
Shipping from China, answered: how quotes work, what to send, DDP vs DDU, US duties on small shipments, transit times, insurance, tracking and restricted goods.
- China to USA Import Documents Checklist
What US customs needs when you import from China: invoices, ISF, bonds, HTS codes, Section 301 duties, the end of de minimis, and mistakes that cause delays.
Get a landed price, not just a freight rate
Send a clear product description, unit value, quantity, carton details and delivery address. We'll quote DDP and DDU so you can compare.
Free quotes. We typically reply within one business day by email, WhatsApp or live chat.