Door-to-Door International Shipping Services
Door-to-door international shipping means one forwarder manages your freight from the supplier's dock to the final delivery address: pickup, export customs, ocean or air transport, import clearance and final-mile delivery. You get one quote, one point of contact and one shipment record instead of coordinating several providers.
- Ocean FCL & LCL
- Air freight
- Export & import customs
- DAP & DDP options
- Online shipment tracking
- Origin pickupSupplier, factory or warehouse
- Export clearanceDocuments and filings
- Main transitOcean or air freight
- Import clearanceDuties, taxes and release
- Final deliveryYour door or warehouse
What door-to-door international shipping includes
A standard international shipment has at least five separate jobs: collecting the cargo, clearing it for export, moving it across the ocean or by air, clearing it for import, and delivering it inland. When each job sits with a different company, you become the coordinator. You chase the trucker for a pickup time, send documents to the export filer, wait for a booking confirmation from the carrier, find a customs broker at destination and arrange a final delivery truck. Every handoff is a place where a document goes missing or a container sits at a terminal and starts collecting storage charges.
Door-to-door shipping puts all five jobs under one forwarder. Faster Freight books each leg, prepares and checks the paperwork, and keeps the shipment moving from one stage to the next. At destination, we work through our international agent network, which means the partner handling your import clearance and delivery is already connected to the origin side of the move.
One quote, all legs
Pickup, export handling, main freight, destination handling and delivery are priced together, so you can compare a single landed transport cost instead of piecing together separate bills.
One point of contact
Your Faster Freight coordinator handles the questions that normally bounce between truckers, carriers and brokers. You get answers from one team, Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm ET.
One shipment record
Every milestone, from pickup to proof of delivery, sits on one shipment that you can follow in our online tracking portal.
How door-to-door shipping works
The sequence below applies to both exports from the USA and imports into the USA. Which filings apply depends on direction, mode and commodity, and we confirm them when we quote.
-
Origin pickup
We schedule collection from your supplier, factory or warehouse and match the equipment to the cargo: a box truck or LTL pickup for palletized freight, or a container dropped on site for live loading on full container loads. For FCL, the container is then trucked back to the port terminal (drayage) ahead of the vessel cut-off. For LCL and air freight, cargo goes to a consolidation warehouse or airport cargo terminal.
What we need from you: pickup address, ready date, opening hours, cargo dimensions and weight, and any loading constraints such as no dock or a liftgate requirement.
-
Export customs and documentation
Before cargo leaves the origin country, the export side has to be cleared. For US exports, Electronic Export Information (EEI) is filed through the Automated Export System (AES), generally when the value of a Schedule B line exceeds $2,500 or the goods need an export license. We also prepare or review the commercial invoice, packing list and any certificates the destination requires, so problems are fixed at origin, where they are cheapest to correct.
What we need from you: commercial invoice, packing list, and HS or Schedule B codes if you have them.
-
Main international transit
Your freight moves on the mode that fits its size, value and deadline: ocean freight forwarding for cost-efficient volume, or international air freight when speed matters more than cost. A bill of lading (ocean) or air waybill (air) is issued as the contract of carriage, and milestones such as departure and arrival are recorded on your shipment.
What we handle: carrier booking, space confirmation, bill of lading or air waybill, and departure and arrival updates.
-
Import customs clearance
At destination, the goods must be declared and duties and taxes paid before release. For ocean shipments into the USA, the Importer Security Filing (ISF, often called "10+2") must be submitted at least 24 hours before the cargo is loaded at the foreign port, so it is handled during transit, not after arrival. Entry is then filed with US Customs and Border Protection. Outside the USA, our destination agent prepares the import declaration under local rules. See our customs clearance and brokerage page for more detail.
What we need from you: confirmation of who is the importer of record, and the consignee's tax or customs registration number where the destination requires one.
-
Final-mile delivery
Once released, the cargo is collected from the port, airport or destination warehouse and delivered to the final address. FCL containers are drayed to your site for unloading and the empty is returned to the carrier. LCL and air shipments are delivered as loose pallets or cartons by truck. Delivery appointments are booked in advance, and proof of delivery closes the shipment.
What we need from you: delivery address, receiving hours, contact name, and whether the site has a dock or needs a liftgate.
Door-to-door vs. port-to-port vs. port-to-door
The terms describe where the forwarder's responsibility starts and ends. The cheaper-looking option is not always cheaper once you add the legs you would have to arrange yourself.
| Service level | Origin pickup | Export clearance | Main freight | Import clearance | Final delivery | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Door-to-door | Forwarder | Forwarder | Forwarder | Forwarder or agent | Forwarder or agent | Shippers who want one quote and one contact for the whole move |
| Door-to-port | Forwarder | Forwarder | Forwarder | Consignee | Consignee | Exporters whose buyer has their own broker and trucker at destination |
| Port-to-door | Shipper | Shipper | Forwarder | Forwarder or agent | Forwarder or agent | Importers whose supplier delivers to the origin port (for example, under FOB) |
| Port-to-port | Shipper | Shipper | Forwarder | Consignee | Consignee | Experienced traders with their own trucking and brokerage at both ends |
Is door-to-door more expensive? The quote is higher than a port-to-port rate because it covers more of the journey. The fair comparison is door-to-door against port-to-port plus your own pickup, export filing, destination broker, terminal handling and delivery truck. Door-to-door also reduces the risk of demurrage and detention charges, which build up when a container waits at a terminal because nobody has arranged the next leg.
Door-to-door shipping by transport mode
The door-to-door model works with every mode we handle. The right choice depends on volume, weight, deadline and budget, and we can quote more than one option so you can compare.
Door-to-door ocean freight: FCL
A full container is booked for your cargo alone. It is loaded at origin, sealed, and not opened again until destination unless customs selects it for inspection. FCL suits shipments that fill most of a 20ft or 40ft container, and goods that should not be handled more than necessary.
More detail: full container load (FCL) shipping.
Door-to-door ocean freight: LCL
Your pallets share a container with other shippers' cargo. Freight is consolidated at an origin warehouse and deconsolidated at destination before final delivery. LCL is usually the economical choice for shipments too large for air but too small for a full container.
More detail: LCL consolidated shipping.
Door-to-door air freight
Air freight is priced on chargeable weight, which is the greater of the actual weight and the volumetric weight. It suits urgent, high-value or time-sensitive cargo. On a door-to-door air shipment, pickup and delivery trucking are booked around flight cut-offs so the speed you pay for in the air is not lost on the ground.
More detail: international air freight.
Domestic and cross-border trucking
Inland legs at both ends run on full truckload (FTL), less-than-truckload (LTL) or container drayage, depending on the cargo. Within North America, a door-to-door move can run entirely by road.
More detail: domestic and cross-border trucking.
Get one price for the whole journey
Tell us the pickup address, delivery address and cargo. We'll quote every leg together.
Incoterms® for door-to-door shipments
Incoterms® 2020 rules decide which party, the seller or the buyer, pays for each leg and carries the risk at each stage. They don't define the forwarder's service. A door-to-door shipment can run under several different Incoterms; what changes is who books and pays for it. The table shows who typically arranges each leg.
| Incoterm | Origin pickup & export | Main freight | Import clearance, duties & taxes | Final delivery | Who usually books door-to-door |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EXW – Ex Works | Buyer | Buyer | Buyer | Buyer | The buyer books with a forwarder, who collects from the seller's premises |
| FCA – Free Carrier | Seller clears export | Buyer | Buyer | Buyer | The buyer, with the seller handing over cleared goods at the agreed place |
| FOB – Free On Board | Seller to vessel | Buyer | Buyer | Buyer | The buyer, from the origin port (ocean only) |
| DAP – Delivered at Place | Seller | Seller | Buyer | Seller (unloading by buyer) | The seller, with the buyer paying duties and taxes on arrival |
| DPU – Delivered at Place Unloaded | Seller | Seller | Buyer | Seller, including unloading | The seller, when unloading at destination is included |
| DDP – Delivered Duty Paid | Seller | Seller | Seller | Seller | The seller, covering everything including import duties and taxes |
DAP or DDP? We arrange both. Under DDP, the seller takes on the destination country's duties, taxes and import formalities. That is convenient for the buyer, but some countries require the importer to be locally registered or limit who can reclaim import VAT, so DDP needs to be checked against the destination before you commit to it in a sales contract. DAP keeps the door-to-door service but leaves duties and taxes with the buyer. If you're unsure which term fits your sale, ask us before you agree terms with your trading partner.
What's in a door-to-door freight quote
Door-to-door pricing depends on the route, mode, cargo and timing, so we quote each shipment individually. A complete quote should show each of the components below. If a quote you're comparing leaves some of them out, they will usually appear later as separate invoices.
| Cost component | What it covers | Main factors that affect it |
|---|---|---|
| Origin pickup | Trucking from the pickup address to the port, airport or consolidation warehouse | Distance, cargo size, equipment needed, loading conditions |
| Origin handling & export documentation | Terminal or warehouse handling, export filings, document preparation | Mode, commodity, number of documents and filings |
| Main freight | Ocean or air transport between origin and destination | Route, mode, container type or chargeable weight, season |
| Surcharges | Carrier fuel and other carrier-imposed surcharges | Set by carriers and adjusted periodically |
| Destination handling | Terminal handling, deconsolidation (LCL), airport handling | Port or airport, mode, cargo volume |
| Import customs clearance | Preparing and filing the import declaration | Destination rules, number of tariff lines, commodity |
| Duties & taxes | Import duty, VAT/GST or other taxes charged by the destination government | HS classification, declared value, origin, trade agreements. Included only under DDP; otherwise paid by the importer |
| Final delivery | Trucking from the port, airport or warehouse to the delivery address | Distance, cargo size, delivery appointment requirements |
| Accessorials | Extra services such as liftgate, inside delivery or waiting time | Requirements at the pickup or delivery site |
| Cargo insurance (optional) | Coverage for loss or damage in transit, arranged through our insurance partner | Cargo value, commodity, route |
Duties and taxes are set by the destination government, not the forwarder. They can only be estimated accurately once the HS code and declared value are known.
What we need to quote accurately
- Full pickup and delivery addresses, including postal codes
- Commodity description and HS code if known
- Number of pieces, dimensions and weight of each piece
- Cargo ready date and any required delivery date
- Incoterm agreed with your trading partner, and whether duties should be included (DDP)
- Cargo value, if you want insurance quoted
Our quote request form asks for each of these in four short steps.
Customs, duties and documentation
Most door-to-door delays are customs delays, and most customs delays start with documents: a vague commodity description, a missing HS code, values that don't match between the invoice and packing list, or a consignee who isn't registered to import. We prepare and review your documentation before anything is filed, so mismatches are caught while the cargo is still at origin.
Customs authorities can still hold or inspect any shipment, and that decision is theirs, not the forwarder's. What we control is the quality of the paperwork, the timing of the filings and how quickly we respond if an authority asks for more information.
Core shipping documents
- Commercial invoice
- Packing list
- Bill of lading or air waybill
- Certificate of origin, where required
US export filings
- EEI filed through AES when required
- Schedule B classification
- Export license, for controlled goods
US import filings
- ISF (10+2) for ocean imports
- CBP entry and entry summary
- Partner agency requirements, where applicable
Templates and reference documents are on our shipping documents page.
Tracking, insurance and value-added services
Online shipment tracking
Follow your shipment's milestones, from pickup through departure, arrival and delivery, in our shipment tracking portal. Your coordinator is also available by phone during business hours.
Cargo insurance
A carrier's liability for loss or damage is limited by convention and rarely matches the value of the goods. We arrange cargo insurance through our insurance partner, quoted on your declared cargo value, so you can decide on coverage before the shipment moves.
Warehousing and packaging
When cargo needs to be stored, consolidated, crated or palletized before it ships, we arrange warehousing and export packaging through our partner network at origin or destination.
Why shippers use Faster Freight for door-to-door shipping
Forwarding since 2005
Faster Freight is a division of STG Freight Services, Inc., a Florida corporation incorporated in 2005 and headquartered in Bay Harbor Islands, Florida. Read more about Faster Freight.
An international agent network
We're a member of the Global Logistics Alliance (GLA). Our destination agents handle import clearance and final delivery locally, while your shipment stays coordinated by one team in the USA.
Every mode under one roof
Ocean FCL and LCL, air freight and trucking are all arranged in-house, so we can recommend the mode that fits the shipment instead of the one we happen to sell.
Documentation reviewed before filing
We check invoices, packing lists and classifications against each other before they reach customs, which is where most avoidable delays begin.
Last updated: October 2026
Ready to ship door to door?
Send us the pickup address, the delivery address and what you're moving. Our team replies Monday–Friday, 9am–6pm ET.
Door-to-door shipping FAQs
Answers to the questions shippers ask most before booking a door-to-door move.
How does door-to-door international shipping work?
Faster Freight collects the cargo from the pickup address, handles export customs, books ocean or air transport, clears the goods through import customs at destination, and delivers them to the final address. You deal with one coordinator and receive one quote covering every leg.
What is the difference between door-to-door and port-to-port shipping?
Port-to-port covers only the main ocean or air leg between two ports. Pickup, export clearance, import clearance and final delivery are left to the shipper and consignee. Door-to-door includes all of those legs under one forwarder.
Is door-to-door shipping more expensive than port-to-port?
The quote is higher because it covers more of the journey. A fair comparison adds your own pickup, export filing, destination broker, terminal handling and delivery trucking to the port-to-port rate. Door-to-door also lowers the risk of demurrage and detention charges caused by gaps between legs.
What is included in a door-to-door freight quote?
A complete quote covers origin pickup, origin handling and export documentation, main freight, carrier surcharges, destination handling, import customs clearance and final delivery. Duties and taxes are included only under DDP terms. Accessorials such as liftgate and optional cargo insurance are shown separately.
Are import duties and taxes included in door-to-door shipping?
Only when the shipment moves under DDP (Delivered Duty Paid), where the seller pays them. Under DAP and most other Incoterms, the importer pays duties and taxes at destination. Amounts are set by the destination government and depend on the HS code, declared value and origin.
Which Incoterm should I use for door-to-door shipping?
Door-to-door can run under several Incoterms. DAP and DDP put the booking with the seller, while EXW and FCA put it with the buyer. DDP also makes the seller responsible for import duties and taxes, which some destinations restrict, so check it with us before agreeing terms.
Do I need my own customs broker for door-to-door shipping?
No. Export and import clearance are part of the door-to-door service. Faster Freight handles US filings, and our destination agents handle import clearance abroad. You still provide the commercial documents, and the importer of record must meet the destination's registration rules.
How long does door-to-door shipping take?
Door-to-door time is longer than the carrier's port-to-port transit time because it adds pickup, export and import clearance, and final delivery. The total depends on the route, mode and customs processing, and we give an estimate with each quote.
How can I track a door-to-door shipment?
Shipment milestones, from pickup through departure, arrival and delivery, are available in the Faster Freight online tracking portal at fasterfreight.com/tracking. Your coordinator can also give updates by phone, Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm ET.
Is cargo insurance included in door-to-door shipping?
Cargo insurance is optional and quoted separately. Faster Freight arranges it through an insurance partner, based on your declared cargo value. Without it, carrier liability is limited by convention and rarely covers the full value of the goods.