Door-to-Door Freight Guide

When This Applies

Door-to-door freight covers the entire logistics chain from supplier pickup to delivery at your warehouse. This guide explains how it works, what is included, and when it makes sense for Indian importers and exporters.

Documents Needed

• Pickup and delivery addresses with contact details
• Commercial Invoice and Packing List
• Customs documents for both origin and destination
• IEC and GSTIN
• Product-specific licences (if applicable)

Common Mistakes

• Assuming door-to-door includes customs duty — it usually does not; duty is separate
• Not clarifying pickup conditions — supplier factories may lack loading docks
• Ignoring destination country import requirements — your forwarder needs to know these
• Underestimating transit time — door-to-door includes multiple legs and customs at both ends
• Not confirming final delivery access — narrow roads or lack of unloading equipment can delay delivery

Estimated Timeline and Process

Origin pickup (1–2 days): Truck collects cargo from supplier.

Origin customs (1–2 days): Export clearance and documentation.

International transit (air 3–5 days; sea 18–35 days): Main freight leg.

Destination customs (2–5 days): Import clearance and duty payment.

Final delivery (1–2 days): Truck delivery to your warehouse.

How Sea Air Cargo Systems Can Help

We manage door-to-door shipments across all major trade lanes. Our team coordinates pickup, freight, customs at both ends, and final delivery — all under one roof. Learn more about our door-to-door service.

What Door-to-Door Freight Includes

• Pickup from supplier premises
• Export customs clearance at origin
• International freight (air or sea)
• Import customs clearance at destination
• Inland transport to your warehouse
• Optionally: insurance, warehousing, and last-mile delivery

What to Confirm Before Booking

• Does the quote include origin and destination customs clearance?
• Are port charges, CFS fees, and terminal handling included?
• What is the final delivery address — is it within standard city limits?
• Are duties and taxes included, or are they billed separately?
• What is the transit time commitment, and what happens if it is missed?

Cost Factors to Plan For

Door-to-door quotes can appear higher than port-to-port, but they eliminate surprise charges. A typical door-to-door air shipment from China to Bengaluru costs $5–$12 per kg all-in. Sea freight door-to-door for a 20ft container costs $1,500–$3,500 depending on inland distance. Use our Landing Cost Calculator to compare modes.

When to Contact a CHA

A CHA with door-to-door capability coordinates every leg of the journey, so you deal with one point of contact. Contact Sea Air Cargo Systems for door-to-door freight quotes.

Pro tip: Door-to-door quotes often exclude customs duty at destination. Clarify whether DDP (duty paid) or DAP (duty unpaid) terms apply before signing the contract.

Track-and-trace visibility is a major advantage of door-to-door service. You receive milestone updates from pickup through customs to final delivery, giving you accurate ETA information for your customers or warehouse team.

Door-to-door service is particularly valuable for e-commerce businesses shipping directly to fulfilment centres. It eliminates the need to coordinate multiple vendors and provides a single point of accountability for delays, damage, and customs queries.

Frequently Asked Questions