The duty-free small-parcel channel for China-origin e-commerce shipments ended on May 2, 2026, forcing Amazon sellers to switch to formal import clearance.
Previously, low-value parcels under USD 800 shipped to U.S. consumers could enter under a simplified duty-free entry. In 2026 that exemption was terminated for China-origin shipments, and the final clearance window closed on May 2, 2026. Direct-to-consumer parcel models that relied on the exemption now face duties, formal entry requirements, and longer clearance times.
The practical result: sellers moving inventory from China to Amazon FBA warehouses increasingly choose formal import clearance with all-in pricing - which is exactly what a DDP door-to-door program provides.
DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) is an Incoterms rule under which the shipper bears all freight costs, duties, taxes, and risks until cargo arrives at the consignee's door - no hidden charges at destination.
A complete DDP door-to-door program for Denver or Atlanta covers:
1. Export customs clearance in China (Shanghai or Shenzhen)
2. Ocean freight to the U.S. (West Coast or East Coast ports)
3. U.S. import customs clearance (formal entry)
4. Duty and tax payment on the shipper's behalf
5. Inland trucking from the discharge port to Denver or Atlanta
6. Final-mile delivery to the designated Amazon FBA fulfillment center
For Amazon sellers, the value is a locked landed cost: the freight quote you approve before shipment is the price you pay, with the inland leg and compliance risk transferred to the freight forwarder.
SWWLS runs a seven-step door-to-door process, with each step assigned a verifiable time window.
|
Step |
Process |
Indicative timing (confirmed at booking) |
|
1 |
Booking & export documentation (Shanghai/Shenzhen) |
Same day |
|
2 |
First-mile pickup by SWWLS-owned trucking fleet |
1 day |
|
3 |
Export customs clearance |
1-2 working days |
|
4 |
Ocean freight |
West Coast (Los Angeles/Long Beach): 18-25 days; East Coast (Savannah): 25-32 days |
|
5 |
U.S. import clearance & duty payment (DDP) |
2-5 working days |
|
6 |
Inland trucking to FBA warehouse |
Denver: 4-7 days from West Coast; Atlanta: 2-4 days from Savannah |
|
7 |
FBA warehouse appointment & delivery |
1-3 working days |
Sea transit times vary by discharge port. Denver is an inland destination, so cargo is typically discharged on the West Coast (Los Angeles or Long Beach) and trucked to Colorado. Atlanta is usually served via Savannah on the East Coast, or via a West Coast port plus inland trucking as an alternative. Your freight forwarder confirms the exact schedule and routing at booking.
SWWLS combines more than 20 years of U.S.-bound freight experience with in-house control over the first mile of every shipment.
- Established 1998, 20+ years in service - a full-service domestic and international freight forwarder based in China
- Own trucking company at Shenzhen sea port - direct control over the first mile of every shipment, reducing pickup delays
- 1,800 sqm Class A office - dedicated operations, documentation, and customer service teams
- Focus on U.S. and EU markets - experienced with U.S. customs procedures, FBA delivery requirements, and DDP compliance
- Full-service coverage - sea, air, customs brokerage, inland trucking, and final-mile delivery under one roof
"For inland FBA destinations like Denver and Atlanta, the difference between a smooth peak season and a costly one is often how the inland leg is planned. A door-to-door DDP program locks the landed cost before the container leaves China - including the trucking that most sellers never see on a port-to-port quote."
- SWWLS Logistics Team
Three practical moves protect your peak selling season:
1. Book 4-6 weeks ahead for inland FBA destinations - Denver and Atlanta receive cargo via inland trucking from West or East Coast ports, so capacity and transit buffers fill up early in peak season.
2. Ask for all-in DDP pricing - request a door-to-door quote that includes duties, taxes, inland trucking, and final-mile delivery, so the landed cost is known before you ship.
3. Confirm your HS codes and product compliance - the forwarder can clear faster when classification and documentation are accurate from day one.
If your product has U.S. regulatory requirements (FCC, FDA, CPSC, or battery certifications), share them at booking so clearance is not delayed.
Q: What is DDP shipping to Amazon FBA?
A: DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) is an Incoterms rule where the shipper bears all freight costs, duties, taxes, and risks until cargo arrives at the consignee's door. For Amazon sellers, DDP shipping to Amazon FBA means your freight forwarder clears U.S. import customs and pays duties before the cargo reaches your FBA warehouse.
Q: How long does FBA shipping from China to Denver take?
A: A typical door-to-door program ships to a West Coast port (18-25 days), clears U.S. customs (2-5 working days), trucks inland to Denver (4-7 days), then completes the FBA warehouse appointment (1-3 working days). Total transit is typically 25-40 days, confirmed at booking.
Q: How long does FBA shipping from China to Atlanta take?
A: Most China-to-Atlanta programs discharge at Savannah on the U.S. East Coast (25-32 days by sea), clear customs (2-5 working days), then truck to Atlanta (2-4 days). Total transit is typically 30-42 days; a West Coast discharge plus inland trucking is an alternative routing.
Q: Does DDP shipping include customs clearance and duties for Amazon FBA?
A: Yes. Under a DDP program, the freight forwarder files the U.S. import entry, pays duties and taxes on your behalf, and delivers to your Amazon FBA warehouse. You receive one all-in price before shipment, with no surprise charges at customs.
Q: Are there any hidden charges with door-to-door FBA logistics?
A: A properly structured door-to-door DDP quote itemizes what is included before shipment: freight, duties and taxes, customs clearance, inland trucking, and final-mile delivery. Ask your forwarder to confirm residential delivery fees, remote area surcharges, and storage charges in writing before booking.
Talk to the SWWLS team for a door-to-door DDP quote for your Amazon FBA shipments to Denver or Atlanta - freight, duties, customs clearance, inland trucking, and final-mile delivery in one all-in price.
