Do you want a premium solution? You need a door to door service, and you are lucky, we have made it our specialty! This offer is simply a combination of all the logistics needs that you will have on the logistics chain. Do you want to ship from deep in China and send the cargo to the middle of USA? This is the service you need: storage, packaging, customs clearance, road freight, sea or air freight… Everything is included in one and the same quote! Learn more about this service in this dedicated page, enjoy reading!
DocShipper info : DocShipper takes care of your shipping needs from A to Z. Our team of experts offers a wide range of services, including packaging, customs clearance, and delivery. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you simplify your shipping process.
Door to door service from China
What is a door to door service?
As mentioned above, our door to door service is the ultimate & premium service: you have nothing to do, the forwarder ( @DocShipper ) manages all operations!
In practice, as an importer, you indicate the origin of the goods and their destination and we take care of the rest. A dedicated DocShipper agent will process your order and will accompany you from A to Z. It will also be he who will be in charge of coordinating all the players in the logistics chain: suppliers, customs, shipping line, (aero) port authorities, etc.
Incoterms and door to door transport
When you buy products in China, your supplier will sell the goods to you under a specific incoterms. This makes it possible to define the responsibility of the seller and the buyer in the transport of your cargo.
The 3 most recurrent incoterms are:
- EXW (Ex Works): The supplier releases the goods immediately upon leaving the factory. You are then responsible for the entire logistics process, starting with the removal of the goods from the supplier’s warehouse.
- FOB (Free On Board): In the case of purchase under the FOB incoterm, your supplier will call on an affiliated forwarder to launch the logistics procedure up to the departure terminal: product packaging, road freight, declaration to the export and loading of goods on the boat / plane, it is all included until the freight services.
- CFR (Cost & Freight) / CIF (Cost Insurance & Freight): This is the incoterm coming just after FOB. It obviously includes all steps included in FOB Incoterms (which is all local charges in China) but also add the freight services until a specific (air)port. The difference between CIF and CFR is just the insurance which is included in CIF.
DocShipper Alert: It is not the best option to get suppliers who sell the products under the Incoterm CFR (Cost and Freight). This incoterm includes local fees but also international freight. Please note: If you make a CFR Miami (for example) purchase, this does not mean that you will be able to look for the goods at the port of Miami, you still need to pay all of the import charges, in particular customs duties and taxes. Keep in mind that the costs on arrival are generally higher than the costs at the origin so beware.
How door to door services work step by step?
As mentioned above, when we provide a door-to-door service, we coordinate all the necessary actors on the supply chain. We concatenate a number of services which can be summarized in 8 phases:
- Pick up at supplier in China
- Warehouse handling in China
- Port / Airport / Train station operations in China
- Export declaration in China
- Sea, air or rail freight
- Customs clearance at destination
- Handling at destination
- Delivery to destination
DocShipper info: We will clarify each of the 8 stages of the logistics process a little further down on this same page. If things are not yet clear, do not hesitate to contact our team using our online form: Contact us.
Door to door Express
Is your shipment not heavy or bulky? If your parcel is no more than 50 kgs to 100 kgs, you can opt for a shipment via an express company: DHL, FedEx, TNT, UPS… to name a few.
We have established long-standing partnerships with various Express companies in order to complete our range of door-to-door services, do not hesitate to contact us for more information.
Door to door service—Step by step
Pick up at supplier in China
The goods will simply be removed by our drivers directly from one (or more) suppliers in order to consolidate them in our warehouse at origin. We will also inspect the quality of the packaging and bring it up to transport standards if necessary (for example with a palletization of boxes).
DocShipper Advice: It is crucial to keep in mind the purchasing incoterm and logistics operations that will not be charged to your supplier so that you know what services you will need to pay for. We will notify you in each step whether or not it is included in your merchandise purchase contract (depending on the Incoterm). Regarding the pick up of your goods at the supplier's factory:
- EXW (Ex Works): Not included
- FOB (Free On Board): Included
- CFR (Cost and Freight): Included
Warehouse handling in China
Have your goods reached the warehouse in China? It is now time to check whether the products, establish the packing list which will be used for the declaration at export and customs clearance at import… Generally it is also at this time we finalize the documents to prepare the goods for export.
DocShipper Alert: Does your incoterm includes this service? The answer:
- EXW (Ex Works): Not included
- FOB (Free On Board): Included
- CFR (Cost and Freight): Included
Port / Airport / Train station operations in China
The cargo has arrived at the original terminal (the port, the airport or sometimes the train station), it is time to load the goods on board: the boat, the plane or the train. In this step you will find all the costs linked to the terminal (terminal charges, handling, terminal taxes, etc.)
DocShipper info: Does your incoterm include this service? The answer:
- EXW (Ex Works): Not included
- FOB (Free On Board): Included
- CFR (Cost and Freight): Included
Export declaration in China
Before the shipment of the cargo, it is essential to make what is called “export declaration” with the local customs authorities. The borders of the countries are controlled for both imports and exports, this allows the country in particular to have significant economic data. It is also a stage where customs officials make sure not to send prohibited or limited products.
DocShipper Alert: Does your incoterm include this service? The answer:
- EXW (Ex Works): Not included
- FOB (Free On Board): Included
- CFR (Cost and Freight): Included
Ocean, air or rail freight
You had the approval of the customs authorities at the origin (in China), the goods are ready to be shipped! By boat, plane or train, we will use the most suitable solution according to your volume, your budget and your deadline conditions. You will find just below an explanatory table as well as our recommendations.
DocShipper info: Does your incoterm include this service? The answer:
- EXW (Ex Works): Not included
- FOB (Free On Board): Not included
- CFR (Cost and Freight): Included
Ocean freight
Your goods can be shipped by sea, the majority of goods are also shipped by boat since it is simply the most economical method when transporting large quantities of products. You can send your goods in LCL (Groupage maritime) or FCL (Full container). Although small 20-foot containers only have a capacity of 33 cubic meters, booking an entire container generally becomes profitable from 14/15 cubic meters.
Would you like more information on this service? Do not hesitate to take a look at our dedicated page: Ocean freight from China
Air freight
Do you have a time requirement? Your cargo is not bulky? You will probably opt for a solution by air. This method of transportation allows goods to be shipped worldwide in just a few days. Also note that a shipment by plane can sometimes be cheaper than by boat, this is for example the case when you have a cargo fewer than 1.5 or 2 cubic meters. Also keep in mind that the regulation of the air charter is much stricter: liquid, batteries, dangerous products…
You will find our dedicated page here: Air freight from China
Rail freight
Finally, you can opt for a shipment by train. It is the happy medium between ocean freight and air freight, as well on the speed as on the prices. This is a method that can be useful if your supplier is inland to the west of China and near a train station.
Do not hesitate to visit our dedicated page to learn more: Rail freight in China
Trucking services
Do you want to ship your goods to a border country with China? No problem! Road shipment may be the most suitable for your cargo. Note also that in all cases this means of transport is mandatory for making connections between warehouses, suppliers and the various terminals: station, port and / or airport.
If you want more information on this service, take a look on our dedicated page: Trucking services in China
Customs clearance at destination
Your cargo has finally arrived at the terminal of destination, it is now time to bring in a customs declarant. This is when local authorities inspect your merchandise to determine the customs duties and taxes you will pay. This is a phase that you cannot avoid, so anticipate all of the needs in order to be in line with local standards. If you want more information on this sensitive step, we advise you to take a look on our page: Clearance of Chinese products
DocShipper Alert: Does your incoterm include this service? The answer:
- EXW (Ex Works): Not included
- FOB (Free On Board): Not included
- CFR (Cost and Freight): Not included
Handling at destination
On the same principle as the charges you had for export, this phase involves all of the players who will handle your cargo: stevedore, terminal fees, handling fees, customs declarations… All of these operations have a certain cost which we group in “import charges”. Once this step is completed, the goods are released and can be collected directly at the exit of the terminal.
DocShipper info: Does your incoterm include this service? The answer:
- EXW (Ex Works): Not included
- FOB (Free On Board): Not included
- CFR (Cost and Freight): Not included
Delivery to destination
In order to conclude our door-to-door service, it is now time to make a final step in road freight to deliver the cargo to your warehouse, office or home. Note that it will be necessary to define upstream the conditions of access on site and the handling needs concerning the unloading of the cargo. Your door-to-door operations will therefore conclude with this last step.
DocShipper Alert: Does your incoterm include this service? The answer:
- EXW (Ex Works): Not included
- FOB (Free On Board): Not included
- CFR (Cost and Freight): Not included
Door to Door service | Comparison
What is the best method of transport?
As mentioned above, each shipment must be treated on a case-by-case basis. In addition to considerations in terms of budget, it is also necessary to take into account the imperatives in terms of time, security and international standards. As we can see on the diagram above, air freight is by far the quickest solution, then comes rail freight and then ocean freight. Despite significant investment being made in the development of rail transport, this method remains rare for conventional products.
But what about the price? This is what we will see just below:
Obviously you won't be able to ship your goods by rail freight if the destination is Africa, north or south America.
What is the cheapest method of transport?
We will take as an example a shipment from China to the USA and will compare 2 different methods of transport:
Ocean freight LCL vs ocean freight FCL
If your shipment has a volume weight/CBM of 1500 kg, full container load (FCL) is the cheaper option, costing $2500 compared to $3350 for less than container load (LCL). For shipments with a lower volume weight/CBM, LCL is typically the more cost-effective option.
Classic air freight vs express air freight
Generally, classic air freight is less expensive than express air freight, except for shipments with a volume weight/CBM of 1kg or less. In this case, express air freight is significantly cheaper at $5, compared to classic air freight which costs $203.
DocShipper recommendation
If you are focusing on the cost of your shipment, ocean freight will probably the option to choose unless you plan to ship a small volume (below 150/200 Kgs), then the air freight will be more competitive. Don't forget as well that if you ship more than 13/14 m³, it will be more cost-effective (and much safer) to ship your goods in FCL (Full Container) than LCL (Less than Container Load) even if you fill only half of a 20 feet container.
DocShipper Advice: Are you in search of a reliable shipping partner to handle your shipments from A to Z? Look no further than DocShipper. We offer a wide range of shipping solutions, and our team of experts is committed to finding the best options for your business. Contact us today for a free quote within 24 hours and let us simplify your shipping process and save you time and money.
FAQ | Door to Door shipping from China
🚚 What is a door-to-door service?
Door-to-door service is a premium solution that will include all your needs in a single offer. The transport company guarantees that the product will be picked up and delivered to the precise points chosen by the customer. Door-to-door transport usually implies that only one company will be used to transport the item from point A to point B.
💸 How to get a door-to-door price?
DocShipper is able to provide you with a door-to-door service that includes all the logistical needs of your shipment. In order for us to evaluate such an operation, we will need the following information: departure address (and loading conditions), arrival address (and unloading conditions), nature of the goods, volumes and weights, required packaging, required storage and desired method of transportation (air, sea, rail or road). You can contact us directly on our website.
🔎 What is the advantage of using a door-to-door service?
The main advantage is that the service is all-inclusive, i.e. the customer does not need to take care of anything. The person in charge of the shipment will take care of everything from A to Z, thus limiting the risks linked to personnel changes.
🛫 Which Incoterms are the most commonly used door-to-door?
The 2 most recurrent incoterms are the EXW (Ex Works): The supplier releases the goods immediately on leaving the factory. You are then responsible for the entire logistics process, starting with the collection of the goods from the supplier's warehouse, and also FOB (Free On Board): Your supplier will use an affiliated freight forwarder to initiate the logistics procedure up to the departure terminal: packaging of the goods, road freight, export declaration and loading of the goods onto the ship/airplane.
What are the different door-to-door services?
There are many different services with door to door, and DocShipper provides you with the following: collection of the goods from the supplier in China, handling at the warehouse in China, operations at the port / airport in China, export declaration in China, management of sea, air or rail freight, customs clearance in France, handling at destination and of course delivery at destination.
What is the incoterm for door-to-door?
The most commonly used incoterm for door-to-door shipments is Delivered Duty Paid (DDP). In DDP, the seller is responsible for delivering the goods to the buyer at the place of destination, cleared for import and ready for unloading. This means that the seller bears all the risks and costs associated with bringing the goods to the destination, including customs duties, taxes, and other charges. DDP is often used for international shipments where the buyer has limited experience with the customs and transportation procedures in the destination country.
Does door-to-door shipping include customs clearance?
Yes, door-to-door shipping can include customs clearance depending on the terms of the agreement between the buyer and the seller. If the incoterm used is Delivered Duty Paid (DDP), then the seller is responsible for customs clearance and any related fees or charges. However, if another incoterm is used, such as Ex Works (EXW) or Free On Board (FOB), then the buyer would be responsible for arranging customs clearance and paying any related fees or charges. It's important to clarify who is responsible for customs clearance and related costs when negotiating a shipping agreement to avoid any confusion or unexpected expenses.
DocShipper China | Procurement - Quality control - Logistics
Alibaba, Dhgate, made-in-china... Many know of websites to get supplies in Asia, but how many have come across a scam ?! It is very risky to pay an Asian supplier halfway around the world based only on promises! DocShipper offers you complete procurement services integrating logistics needs: purchasing, quality control, customization, licensing, transport...
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