30 questions about shipping building materials or furniture.

Still choosing a shipping company? See when Buildcargo fits your order and which completed projects support that choice.

01

Cost and service scope

Q01What will delivery really cost?

What would the total landed cost be to deliver everything to my home, warehouse, or project site? Are there any charges that are not included?

A useful total-cost estimate starts with the final packed cargo, route, customs responsibility, delivery postcode, vehicle access and unloading plan. The written quote should list included and excluded items. Destination storage, inspection, redelivery or inside handling are not assumed unless specifically confirmed.

See how the final cost is built

Q02Who pays duty and tax?

Who will handle and pay for customs duty, VAT/GST, anti-dumping duty, customs clearance, and import documentation?

Responsibility depends on the agreed shipping term, destination, importer arrangement, product classification and written customs scope. Buildcargo can coordinate documents and clearance within the confirmed plan, but duties, taxes and anti-dumping exposure must be reviewed for the actual products before shipment.

See the customs and document responsibility guide

Q03DDP, DAP, CIF or FOB?

Which shipping option would be better for me—DDP, CIF, DAP, or FOB—and what exactly is included and excluded under each option?

The best term depends on how much responsibility you want the China team to coordinate. DDP, DAP, CIF and FOB end at different points and do not automatically include unloading or inside delivery. Use the written quote—not the label alone—to confirm every cost and handover boundary.

Compare DDP, DAP, CIF and FOB in buyer language

Q04My address or the port?

Can you deliver the goods to my exact address or nominated port? Is local delivery after the destination port included?

Delivery can be planned to a named port or an accessible unloading point at a residence, warehouse or project site. The exact postcode, road access, vehicle limits and unloading equipment must be checked first. Local delivery is included only when the written route and quote say so.

Check delivery by country and postcode

Q30How are logistics fees calculated?

Is the logistics service fee calculated per container, per CBM, per shipment, or as a percentage of cargo value? Which services—warehousing, inspection, loading, documentation, and final delivery—are charged separately?

Different parts may be charged by shipment, container, CBM, weight or a separately agreed service scope. A written DDP quote can include China operations, loading, documents, international freight, named taxes, customs clearance and final delivery. Days 1–14 of Shenzhen storage are free; paid QC, repacking, special unloading and triggered exception charges are listed separately.

See the quotation mechanism

02

Timing and route choices

Q05How long will shipping take?

How long will it take from the time all goods are ready until loading, departure, and final delivery? How much buffer should we allow for peak seasons, holidays, or delays?

There is no single clock from factory completion to home delivery. Compare three completed records for the United States, Canada and Spain, then build a shipment-specific plan around supplier readiness, packing, booking, transit, customs, local delivery and practical buffer.

Compare the three dated shipping timelines

Q08LCL, 20GP or 40HQ?

Should we use a 20GP, 40HQ, FCL, or LCL shipment? What are the estimated CBM, weight, and container utilization, and can we use any remaining space for additional items?

The choice uses final packed CBM, gross weight, piece dimensions, loading compatibility, route and timing. Four anonymous mixed oversized-cargo plans totalled 59.98–60.82 CBM, showing that shape and weight distribution can make theoretical container volume unusable. Another shipment still needs its own loading plan.

Compare shipment modes and container choices

Q16Which ports and route should I use?

Which origin port in China and which destination port would be the most suitable? Is there a cheaper or more reliable alternative route?

The nearest port is not automatically the best route. Supplier locations, sailing frequency, cargo handling, destination customs, inland delivery and current space all matter. Buildcargo can compare practical alternatives, but the selected ports and route remain shipment-specific until confirmed in writing.

See how route options are compared

Q17How long is the freight rate valid?

How long are the freight rate and space quotation valid? How will the price be adjusted if ocean freight, fuel surcharges, peak-season charges, or exchange rates change?

Buildcargo’s standard freight quotation is valid for three days. Ocean freight, fuel, capacity, peak-season charges, exchange rates, route availability or final cargo facts may change before booking. A changed amount is confirmed in a revised written quotation before the shipment proceeds.

See how timing and rate changes are handled

Q22Can urgent items go first?

Can samples, small parcels, or urgent items be sent by courier or air freight, with the main order shipped later by sea?

Sometimes. A split plan can place eligible samples or urgent pieces on courier or air service while the main order follows by sea. Product restrictions, size, batteries, customs documents and cost must be checked separately. Buildcargo confirms whether it can arrange each leg before accepting it.

Compare urgent and main-shipment options

03

Suppliers and warehouse

Q06Can you combine my suppliers?

Can goods from multiple suppliers be received, checked, stored, and consolidated into one shipment or container?

Yes. Buildcargo’s directly managed Shenzhen warehouse receives each referenced order, records count, visible outer condition, packed dimensions and gross weight, and consolidates the approved cargo. Days 1–14 are free from the first batch’s arrival; product QC and repacking require a separate scope.

See how several supplier orders are combined · Foshan buyer guide

Q07What will Buildcargo handle?

What exactly will Buildcargo Logistics handle—warehousing, QC, container loading, export documents, freight booking, customs coordination, and shipment tracking?

Buildcargo coordinates only the tasks written into the shipment plan. Depending on the order, that can include supplier collection, warehouse receiving, separately agreed QC, packing, loading, export handling, booking, customs coordination, milestone updates and final delivery. The responsibility matrix identifies each handover.

See the Buildcargo responsibility matrix

Q11How does warehouse storage work?

Do you have your own warehouse? How long can the goods be stored, and what are the free-storage period and additional storage charges?

Buildcargo directly manages its Shenzhen warehouse. The first batch’s arrival day starts the clock: days 1–14 are free, and from day 15 storage is RMB 100 per shipment per calendar day. Longer storage can be agreed in writing.

See warehouse receiving and storage boundaries

Q12Can I use my own suppliers?

Can suppliers that I have already selected deliver their goods directly to your warehouse, or do I have to use suppliers from your network?

Yes. Keep the Foshan showroom, factory, Alibaba, 1688 or AliExpress seller you chose. Buildcargo is the logistics coordinator, not a required supplier network. Each order needs a reference, expected ready date, cargo description and delivery or pickup instruction so it can be identified correctly.

See supplier intake requirements

Q14What if suppliers finish at different times?

If different factories finish at different times, should we wait and ship everything together, or can urgent items be shipped separately first?

Both can be considered. Waiting may reduce duplicated movements; the first batch starts 14 free storage days before the written daily charge applies. Splitting urgent items may protect a deadline but creates another shipment and customs event. Compare time, storage, packing, freight and delivery impact before deciding.

Compare waiting and split-shipment choices

04

Inspection and packing

Q09How will my order be protected?

How will the furniture, glass, stone, and custom cabinetry be packed and protected against moisture, impact, and damage during long-distance shipping?

Protection is selected around the product, surface, fragility, final packed size, handling points and route. Options may include frames, crates, corner protection, internal bracing and moisture barriers. Factory packing is reviewed first; stronger paid packing is added only when the written plan requires it.

See product-specific packing decisions

Q13What is checked at the warehouse?

When goods arrive at your warehouse, how do you verify the quantities, models, packaging, and visible condition? What happens if something is missing, incorrect, or damaged?

Basic receiving records the reference, count, labels, visible outer condition, obvious differences, packed dimensions and gross weight. By default, factory-packed items are not opened one by one. Product-level opening or QC requires a separate scope. After checking, the agreed packing is prepared before consolidation.

See basic receiving versus paid QC

Q15What do you need for my quote?

What information do you need before giving an accurate logistics quotation—delivery address, cargo value, quantity, CBM, gross weight, and package dimensions?

Start with destination country and postcode, products and materials, supplier locations, quantities, final packed dimensions and gross weight where available, cargo value, timing and unloading conditions. Product links or supplier quotations can support an early review; the final quote uses confirmed shipment facts.

Use the accurate quote checklist

Q20Will I receive QC and loading evidence?

Will you carry out QC before loading and provide photos or videos of the quantities, packaging, loading process, container number, and seal number?

Basic receiving and product-level QC are different services. Paid checks can compare the product with an order, drawing, sample or written standard. Photos, video and loading records can be included at agreed milestones; container and seal details are shared only where appropriate and are never published as public evidence.

See inspection and evidence scope

Q23What costs more for difficult cargo?

What additional crating, lifting, oversized, or overweight charges would apply to long items, heavy goods, marble, glass, or irregular cargo?

Extra cost can come from custom packing, lifting equipment, reinforced bases, special vehicles, oversize handling, port rules or difficult unloading. Buildcargo does not publish a fixed surcharge because packed dimensions, weight, lifting points and route determine the work. List every item separately.

Check long, heavy and irregular cargo variables

05

Documents, risk and claims

Q18Who prepares the shipping documents?

Who will prepare the commercial invoice, packing list, customs declaration documents, bill of lading or HBL, certificate of origin, and destination customs documents?

Suppliers provide accurate invoices and packing lists. Buildcargo coordinates China export declarations unless the customer self-declares, and arranges the transport bill; a DDP customer normally does not need the original bill. Suppliers and an eligible issuing process provide any required certificate of origin. Destination entry follows the importer, broker and written service scope.

See the document responsibility table

Q19Could my products face restrictions?

Do the products comply with the destination country’s certification and import requirements? Could windows, tiles, appliances, or other categories be subject to anti-dumping duties or additional restrictions?

Compliance cannot be confirmed from a product name alone. Material, use, origin, HS classification, destination and importer status may change certification, restrictions or trade-remedy exposure. Buildcargo can coordinate a review, but brokers or specialist advisers confirm regulated categories before reliance.

Prepare the compliance review

Q24What does cargo insurance cover?

What does the cargo insurance cover and exclude, what is the deductible, and who will prepare the evidence and submit a claim if there is damage?

Buildcargo’s contract has limited liability rules, but those limits are not cargo insurance. Cargo insurance is not included or purchased by default. When requested, Buildcargo can introduce an insurance contact so the customer can review and purchase a separate policy before shipment. Do not assume damage is insured without an issued policy.

See insurance and claim boundaries

Q25What if something is wrong after delivery?

If we find damaged, missing, incorrect, or mismatched goods after delivery, how will responsibility be determined, and how will replacement or compensation be handled?

Preserve delivery records, photos, packing, counts and signed remarks. The review connects destination scans and receipt, Shenzhen warehouse video/count/weight, loading records and supplier dispatch facts. Contract limits depend on the responsible stage; supplier error and concealed product defects remain separate from transport loss or damage.

See what to record and who decides

Q27What happens when shipping goes wrong?

If the shipment is rolled, delayed, inspected, held by customs, or charged unexpected destination fees, who will coordinate the response and keep me informed?

One China-side contact explains the known issue, likely impact and available options. A published shipment record preserves a HELD status and later destination-network movement after Ethan confirms inspection and release. This is evidence of one response path—not a promise of zero delay or a fixed customs timeline.

See the exception record and communication process

06

Delivery, updates and evidence

Q10Who unloads at my address?

Who will arrange the truck, delivery appointment, forklift, unloading, inside delivery or upstairs handling, and installation at the destination? Are these charged separately?

Buildcargo coordinates the agreed destination truck and appointment. Standard delivery ends at an accessible unloading point; forklift, unloading labour, carrying inside, stairs and installation are not included unless separately written and priced. Tell the team early if the site needs special equipment or service.

See exactly where delivery ends

Q21Can I see similar real projects?

Do you have experience shipping similar products to my country or region? Can you provide examples of comparable projects or customer references?

Buildcargo publishes completed U.S., Canada and Europe records, plus clearly labelled documented and pre-purchase projects. Compare route, product, status and evidence nodes—not just the headline. A case proves its documented shipment only and does not guarantee identical timing, cost or outcome.

Browse the project evidence library

Q26Will I receive milestone updates?

Will you provide milestone updates for booking, container collection, loading, departure, arrival, customs clearance, and final delivery?

Yes, for the stages agreed for the shipment. Buildcargo connects warehouse, loading, arrival, clearance and handover records to one responsible contact. Published U.S., Canadian and European cases show dated completed routes, but another route may produce different events and timing.

See the milestone update map

Q28When will the local carrier contact me?

Will there be a local agent or carrier contact in the destination country? When will the driver contact me to arrange the delivery appointment?

The destination carrier or delivery team contacts the customer when the cargo is approaching delivery and a receiving time must be confirmed. Exact timing varies by country, service and carrier, so the written plan should also state the correct phone number, access information and unloading readiness.

Prepare the local delivery appointment

Q29Who pays destination waiting charges?

How much free storage, demurrage, detention, and unloading time is allowed at the destination? Who pays for overtime, redelivery, or return charges?

Many ordinary deliveries allow about one hour for unloading, but country, vehicle and carrier terms control the actual free time. Storage, demurrage, detention, waiting, address changes, redelivery or return are charged only when triggered and follow the written route terms and responsible event.

See destination handover and charge boundaries

Source note: These questions were consolidated and normalized from multiple customers’ original English messages. They preserve the buyers’ intended meaning but are not presented as verbatim quotes from one individual customer. No fixed rate, tax result, insurance settlement or delivery promise is inferred from the questions.