Freight & duties
DDP shipping from China for packaging orders
What DDP (delivered duty paid) shipping from China includes, what it really costs per container, how long it takes, and why it's the safest way to import packaging.
When you import packaging from China, the shipping terms decide who carries the risk of freight, customs and tariffs. DDP — Delivered Duty Paid — puts all of it on the seller (or your sourcing partner): one price, delivered to your warehouse, duties included. Here's what that looks like in practice.
What DDP covers
- Pickup at the factory and export clearance in China
- Ocean (full container or LCL) or air freight
- U.S. customs clearance and filing
- Duties, tariffs and fees
- Delivery to your 3PL or warehouse
Compare that to EXW or FOB, where you (or your forwarder) take over at the factory or port and get a separate bill for duties when the goods land — often weeks later.
What it really costs: real shipments
| Shipment | Route | DDP cost |
|---|---|---|
| ~64 m³ magnetic boxes (523 cartons) | Shenzhen → New York | $8,500 |
| ~68 m³ plastic carry cases (825 cartons) | Shenzhen → New York | $10,700 |
| 40' container, 2-pack boxes | Shenzhen → New York | $10,500 (2024) / $16,500 (2025) |
| 40' container, PET clamshells | Shenzhen → New York | $16,500 (peak-season 2024) |
| LCL, 120 cartons / 4.5 m³ | Shenzhen → New York | $3,100 |
| LCL, 17 cartons / 0.5 m³ | Shenzhen → Long Beach | $700 |
| Air, 10,000 small cases | Shenzhen → Connecticut | $3,200 |
Rates swung a lot over this period — carriers announced increases of $1,000–$2,000 per container ahead of peak season, and tariff changes moved the duty portion. That volatility is exactly why a fixed DDP price is valuable.
How long it takes
Across our shipments with known arrival dates, the average was about 36 days from departure to arrival and about 125 days (roughly 4 months) from purchase order to delivery, including production and inspection. East-coast containers ran 30–45 days in transit; LCL to the west coast was as fast as 2–3 weeks.
Tariffs: the moving target
Packaging from China has carried Section 301 tariffs plus additional duties that changed several times. Plastic clamshells and paper boxes landed in very different duty brackets. Rather than guess, get a DDP quote where the duty is built in — and keep your customs entry summaries (CBP Form 7501), since they show exactly what duty was paid if refunds or adjustments ever apply.
Practical tips
- Fill containers. A 40-foot container usually beats two LCL shipments on cost per piece.
- Plan for peak season (summer through fall), when rates and transit times jump.
- Get delivery appointments right. Warehouses book receiving slots; missed appointments cost storage fees.
- Inspect before it leaves. Once a container ships, fixing problems gets expensive. See pre-shipment inspection.
We quote every packaging order DDP to your door. Get a free landed quote or read how we work.
Frequently asked questions
What does DDP shipping include?
Delivered Duty Paid includes pickup at the factory, export clearance, ocean or air freight, U.S. customs clearance, duties and tariffs, and delivery to your address. You receive the goods with nothing else to pay.
How much does it cost to ship a container of packaging from China?
On our shipments from Shenzhen to New York, a 40-foot container DDP ran roughly $8,500–$16,500 between 2023 and 2025, depending on the season, the goods and the tariff rate. Small LCL shipments cost $700–$3,100 in the same period.
How long does DDP ocean freight take?
Across our recent shipments the average was about 36 days from leaving China to arrival, and about 4 months from placing the order to delivery including production.
Is DDP more expensive than handling customs myself?
Sometimes slightly, but it removes the risk of surprise duty bills, broker fees, exam fees and storage charges — and gives you one fixed number for budgeting.