Plain pricing

Every quote covers freight, customs coordination, broker liaison, duties paid (DDP), and US door delivery in one number. What moves the number up or down is mainly four things: weight and volume (heavier or bulkier shipments cost more to move), method (air is faster and more expensive per kilogram than sea LCL, which suits cargo over 200 kg that can wait three to five weeks), declared value (duties are calculated as a percentage of the product value, so a higher declared value raises the duty component), and product category (some HS codes carry higher tariff rates than others, especially after the 2025 tariff changes on Chinese goods).

DDP means delivered duty paid. The quote includes the duty amount based on the HS code and declared value we agree on before pickup. If the product turns out to have a higher tariff rate than initially estimated -- because the HS code changes on review, or a new tariff applies -- we tell you before anything moves. There are no surprise duty invoices after delivery.

For shipments where the weight, dimensions, or product category are uncertain, send us what you know and we will flag the variables before confirming the quote. Getting the paperwork right before pickup is cheaper than correcting it at the border.

DDP means Delivered Duty Paid. It is an Incoterm that defines who is responsible for freight, customs clearance, duties, and final delivery. When we quote DDP, we are taking on all of those responsibilities. You pay one number and we handle everything from China pickup to US door delivery, including all the steps in between.

The duties component of the quote is calculated from the actual HS (Harmonized System) code for your product and your declared value in USD. Import duties in the US are calculated as a percentage of the declared value at the applicable tariff rate for your product category. Under the current US-China tariff schedule, many product categories carry additional Section 301 duties on top of the base rate. We check both rates before confirming your quote so there are no corrections after delivery.

The customs clearance component covers formal entry filing through a licensed US customs broker, ISF filing (for ocean shipments), any port-related handling, and exam coordination if CBP selects the shipment for inspection. Exam fees vary by type and are not something we can predict in advance, but they are uncommon for most commodity shipments. If your shipment is examined, we notify you and manage the process.

The freight component depends on the method, the chargeable weight (for air) or CBM (for sea LCL), and the origin and destination locations. Air freight is quoted per kilogram of chargeable weight, where chargeable weight is the higher of the actual weight and the volumetric weight. Sea LCL is quoted per CBM (cubic meter) of cargo. The estimator above gives you a range for common weights; the actual quote is confirmed after reviewing your dimensions and product details.

Most goods imported from China into the US are subject to two layers of duty: the standard Most Favored Nation (MFN) rate that applies to all imports, and the Section 301 tariff that applies specifically to Chinese-origin goods. Section 301 rates vary by product category and have changed significantly since 2018. For many categories the combined rate is 25 to 30 percent of the declared value, and for some categories it is higher.

The duty is calculated on the declared value of the goods plus, in some cases, international freight and insurance (the CIF value). When we quote DDP, we calculate the duty based on the HS code and the declared value you provide. If the declared value changes between the quote and the actual shipment, the duty portion of the price adjusts accordingly. We confirm the final duty calculation before the goods move.

De minimis rules allow shipments under 800 USD in total value to enter the US without formal customs entry or duty in most cases. However, this exemption has been eliminated for goods of Chinese and Hong Kong origin under recent executive orders. If your shipment originates from China and the declared value is under 800 USD, it still requires formal entry and duties under the current rules. We handle the formal entry regardless of value for all DDP shipments.