Quick decision table
Practical steps
- Confirm route availability by cargo type and destination.
- Use actual weight, volumetric weight, CBM, and cartons to confirm billing basis.
- Separate China, international, and US-leg costs.
- Confirm duty, customs, and exception-charge scope.
- Record quote validity and payment method in the formal quote.
What can change the answer
- Cargo type and declaration details
- Weight, volume, and packaging
- US ZIP, warehouse rules, and delivery method
- Peak-season capacity, schedules, and clearance conditions
How Qianding can help
- Break down total cost from actual shipment data
- Remind customers not to compare per-kg price alone
- Match ocean, air, and FBA plan options
- Explain possible surcharges
What the customer should prepare
- Provide accurate carton data and value
- Describe destination and receiving rules
- Confirm insurance, pallet, or appointment needs
- Compare quotes with the same service scope
Operational sample
Operational sample: two quotes have similar unit prices, but one excludes remote final delivery and appointments. Compare only after final-mile requirements are included.
FAQ
Can DDP be quoted per kg only?
A rough estimate can, but final pricing needs volume, destination, cargo type, and scope.
Are duties a fixed percentage?
No. Product category, value, and classification can change duty treatment.
Why does ZIP code affect cost?
US final-mile resources, distance, residential/commercial type, and remote areas differ.
How to reduce post-quote changes?
Provide complete data early and have inclusions and possible charges written in the quote.
Sources
- International Trade Administration: Know Your Incoterms
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection: Basic Importing and Exporting
- USITC: Harmonized Tariff Schedule
This guide is for shipment preparation and quote discussion. It is not legal, tax, or customs-compliance advice. The final plan depends on actual cargo data, US regulatory requirements, current route availability, and the written quotation.