Shipping & Duties
EXW vs DDP, freight modes, customs and what to expect at the door
Shipping converts factory price into landed cost: origin handling, freight (air/sea/parcel), insurance, and for cross-border orders, duties and taxes. Quoted part prices are typically EXW (Ex Works) — shipment is quoted separately with mode options, and DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) is available for many destinations so the landed price is fixed up front.
1. Incoterms basics
EXW: price is at the factory door; you arrange and pay all transport, insurance and customs. FOB: seller delivers to origin port, buyer handles ocean/air and destination. DDP: seller covers everything including duties to your door — the simplest and most predictable for small orders.
The platform quotes freight at checkout with mode choices; DDP quotes include duty estimates for major destinations (US, EU, UK, AU, SG) using current HS codes.
2. Freight modes
Parcel/express (UPS/DHL/FedEx): fastest (2–5 days international), best under ~20 kg and $2k value. Air freight: 3–7 days, good for 20–200 kg. Sea freight: 15–35 days, economical above ~200 kg / large volumes — the standard for production orders.
Small heavy parts favor express; large light parts favor air; anything container-size goes sea. The engine suggests a mode by weight/volume and destination.
3. Duties and taxes
Customs duties depend on the HS code and origin/destination trade agreements; VAT/sales tax applies at destination (e.g. 5–25% depending on country and thresholds). DDP shifts this risk to the seller at a known cost; EXW leaves it to you.
Keep the commercial invoice accurate: value, HS code and description must match the shipment or customs delays and penalties follow.
4. Planning for it
Add freight and duty to the quote before committing: landed cost can add 10–35% on cross-border air freight. For recurring production, ask for FOB or DDP rates at volume and review incoterm choice per shipment.
Insure high-value prototypes; most express carriers include limited cover, and full insurance is a small percentage of freight.
Quick reference
| Mode | Speed | Best for | Cost index |
|---|---|---|---|
| Express parcel | 2–5 days | <20 kg, prototypes | High |
| Air freight | 3–7 days | 20–200 kg, urgent | Medium-high |
| Sea freight | 15–35 days | >200 kg, production | Low |
| DDP | varies | Predictable landed cost | +duty included |
| EXW/FOB | varies | Controlled logistics | base + your costs |
Sources & references
- Incoterms 2020 — ICC
- Xometry Learning Center — Shipping & Duties (public engineering reference)