DDP shipping from China to the USA is a door-to-door arrangement where the provider coordinates the agreed freight, customs, duties or taxes and final delivery responsibilities. The written quotation—not the label “DDP” alone—should define exactly what is included and excluded.
What a complete written scope should show
China pickup or warehouse receiving, measurement, consolidation and export preparation.
The selected air or ocean service, route basis and expected operating window.
Required shipment data, documents, declared value and the parties responsible for compliance.
Destination address type, delivery area, appointment needs and special access conditions.
Air DDP or ocean DDP?
| Consideration | Air DDP | Ocean DDP |
|---|---|---|
| Typical use | Time-sensitive, smaller or higher-value shipments. | Heavier, larger or less urgent commercial cargo. |
| Cost basis | Strongly affected by chargeable weight and cargo profile. | Affected by volume, weight, consolidation, destination and delivery conditions. |
| Planning focus | Flight capacity, acceptance rules and last-mile handoff. | Cut-off, sailing, customs, deconsolidation and inland delivery. |
| Best decision method | Compare total landed cost, end-to-end window, cargo risk and delivery requirements on the same shipment data. | |
How the shipment moves
Provide product, cartons, dimensions, weight, value, pickup city and US ZIP code.
Review special-product information, customs data, address type and target delivery window.
Bring supplier cartons to the warehouse for measurement, consolidation and export preparation.
Dispatch under the selected service and monitor departure, arrival and exception milestones.
Coordinate import processing and prepare the shipment for the agreed final delivery.
Complete delivery to the confirmed business, warehouse or eligible fulfillment-center address.
Information required for a useful quote
- China pickup city or supplier warehouse address.
- US destination ZIP code and whether it is residential, commercial, warehouse or Amazon FBA.
- Product description and HS code if known.
- Carton count, dimensions, gross weight and declared value.
- Battery, liquid, powder, magnet, food-contact, branded or other special characteristics.
- Required delivery date and whether cartons or pallets need appointments.
Frequently asked questions
What is included in a DDP quote?
The quote should state whether China pickup, handling, freight, customs coordination, duties and taxes, destination charges and final delivery are included. Possible extra charges should be listed separately.
Is air or ocean DDP better?
Air is often considered for smaller or urgent cargo; ocean is often considered for heavier or less urgent cargo. Compare both on the same dimensions, weight, destination and deadline.
Can you deliver to Amazon FBA?
Eligible cargo can be prepared and delivered when FBA labels, carton or pallet rules, appointments and the destination are confirmed before dispatch.
What details do you need?
Pickup city, US ZIP code, product description, carton dimensions and weight, declared value, deadline and any special-product information.

