Overview
What door-to-door covers (pickup to final door)
| Coverage question | Door-to-door | Port / terminal handoff | Also sold as DDP? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pickup → named door | Yes — designed end-to-end | No — stops at port/CFS | Only if named place is a door |
| Last-mile truck | In scope when quoted | Buyer arranges after arrival | Only if written |
| Duty / IOR decided? | No — separate unless also DDP | Usually buyer-side | Yes — must be written (DDP hub) |
Process
How door-to-door works
- 1
Pickup
Supplier or China warehouse
- 2
Export customs
China export formalities
- 3
International transport
Sea/air/rail/road/express
- 4
Import clearance
As scoped
- 5
Last-mile delivery
Named door
By mode
Door-to-door options by mode
Costs
Cost drivers
Mode · chargeable weight or CBM · origin and destination cities · clearance complexity · peak season · commercial vs residential delivery · whether duties are included. Scope duty language against Incoterms 2020; EU importation and CBP Basic Import still apply by destination even when the quote is door-only.
Related: DDP shipping from China · Warehouse · Amazon FBA
Destinations
Door-to-door by destination
Documents
Documents for door-to-door shipping from China
Door-to-door freight from China needs a clean document chain from pickup through proof of delivery. Tax inclusion is separate unless the quote is also DDP.
Commercial invoice
Required end-to-end for export and import identity of goods on door-to-door freight from China.
Packing list
Ties physical pieces at pickup to delivery proof at the door.
Origin transport order / pickup note
Records collection from the factory or warehouse so liability and piece count start cleanly.
Main-leg transport document
AWB, B/L, rail/road consignment note, or courier waybill—depending on mode.
Import clearance documents set
Entry declaration inputs, consignee details, and any permits. If the service is not DDP, the buyer-side party must be ready to act on these documents without delay.
Delivery note / POD
Proof of delivery closes the door-to-door chain. Name, stamp, or electronic POD standards should be agreed for B2B sites.
Insurance documents
If cargo insurance is purchased for the full door path, the certificate should match the invoice value basis.
Consistency rule
Pickup piece count must equal delivery piece count logic; exceptions should be recorded at the warehouse or terminal, not discovered only at the door.
Mile coverage
What door-to-door covers vs a port handoff
| Coverage question | Port / terminal | Door-to-door | DDP (separate page) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Factory pickup to named door? | No — stops at port/CFS | Yes — designed end-to-end | Only if named place is a door |
| Last-mile delivery in the plan? | Buyer arranges after arrival | Included when quoted | Only if written |
| Who pays duty / VAT / IOR? | Not this page's job | Separate unless also DDP | Must be written — see DDP hub |
This page owns mile coverage (pickup → final door). Duty, IOR, and tax language live on the DDP hub—not as a synonym for door delivery. Door-to-door shipping from China · DDP shipping from China
Cost structure
What “shipping cost” actually includes
A usable number is built in layers:
- Origin — pickup, export docs, origin terminal/handling
- Main carriage — ocean / air / rail linehaul + fuel/peak surcharges
- Destination — terminal, handling, documentation
- Delivery — truck to door or FC (if scoped)
- Tax layer (only if DDP) — duty, VAT/GST as agreed
Ask for a dated all-in to the real delivery point.
Port-to-port rates are not door costs. “DDP” without tax logic is incomplete.
After arrival
After arrival: free time still matters
Ocean arrival is not the end of cost. Containers and cargo often have limited free time at terminal or depot. If documents, clearance, or pickup lag, demurrage/detention/storage can exceed the savings from a cheap ocean rate.
Operational rule
Align documents and delivery plan before vessel arrival—not after last free day.
Common mistakes
Mistakes that create cost and delay
- 1Comparing ocean-only rates to door quotes
- 2Ignoring volumetric weight on air/express door designs
- 3Booking LCL past FCL break-even without checking all-in door cost
- 4Calling a door quote “DDP” when tax logic is undefined
- 5Letting free time expire while paperwork is incomplete
Get a quote
Door-to-door quote checklist
- ✓Pickup address
- ✓Delivery address
- ✓Preferred mode
- ✓Pieces / dims / weight
- ✓Commodity
- ✓Duty in or out
- ✓Ready date
Typical response within 24 hours · Scope listed before booking
FAQ