FAQ
1. Q: What are DDU, DAP, and DDP? Which one should I choose?
A: These are Incoterms® 2020 delivery terms:
DDU (Delivered Duty Unpaid): Flexclering handles customs clearance and local delivery, but the buyer pays import duties.
DAP (Delivered At Place): Flexclering delivers to the buyer’s location (e.g., warehouse), but duties and customs clearing are buyer’s responsibility.
DDP (Delivered Duty Paid): Flexclering covers all costs, including duties, and delivers to the buyer’s door.
Recommendation: DDP is ideal for buyers who want a hassle-free experience.
2. Q: How long does customs clearance take in the US?
A: Standard clearance takes 1-2 business days for air freight and 2-3 days for ocean freight. Delays may occur if documents are incomplete or goods require inspection. Flexclering expedites processes with real-time updates.
If the customer's customs clearance and pre-alert docs can be provided 48 hours before the cargo departure (for air freight) or sailing (for sea freight), and there are no customs inspections or other issues, Flexclearing can perform pre-clearance. This means the customs clearance can be completed on the same day the goods arrive, with a clearance time of 0-1 days.
3. Q: What documents are required for US customs?
A: Essential documents include:
Commercial invoice
Packing list
Bill of lading/Air waybill
Certificates (e.g., FDA, FCC for regulated goods)
CBP Form 3461 (for formal entries)
Flexclering verifies documents in advance to avoid delays.
4. Q: Who pays duties and taxes in the US?
A: In DDU/DAP, the buyer pays duties and taxes upon delivery. In DDP, Shipper covers all costs upfront. Duties vary by product type (HTS code) and value.
5. Q: Can Flexclering handle FDA/CBP compliance?
A: Yes! Flexclering specializes in FDA-regulated goods (e.g., food, cosmetics, medical devices) and CBP compliance for formal entries. We ensure all regulations are met to prevent seizures.
6. Q: What happens if my shipment is inspected by CBP?
A: Flexclering manages inspections proactively. If selected, we coordinate with CBP, provide additional documentation, and expedite release. Inspections typically add 1-3 days to clearance time.
7. Q: How do you track shipments after customs clearance?
A: Flexclering provides real-time tracking for truck deliveries and updates for air/ocean shipments. Clients receive notifications at each stage (e.g., customs cleared, out for delivery).
8. Q: What are the costs for DDP service?
A: DDP costs include:
Customs duties and taxes
Brokerage fees
Local delivery charges (e.g., trucking, warehouse fees)
Optional insurance
Flexclering offers transparent pricing with no hidden fees.
9. Q: Can you handle consolidated shipments (LCL)?
A: Yes! Flexclering manages LCL ocean freight and air consolidation. We provide cost-effective solutions for smaller shipments by grouping them with others.
10. Q: Why Choose Flexclering?
24/7 support for urgent issues.
Dedicated account managers for seamless communication.
End-to-end visibility from origin to final delivery.
Compliance expertise for FDA, CBP, and other regulations.
11. Q: What services does Flexclearing offer for FBA shipments?
A: Flexclearing provides end-to-end solutions for FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon) shipments, including:
Customs clearance (DDU/DAP/DDP)
Airport/port pickup
Container unloading & inspection
Sorting & labeling Last-mile delivery to Amazon warehouses
Our team ensures seamless integration with Amazon’s requirements.
12. Q: How long does it take to deliver FBA shipments to Amazon warehouses?
A: Delivery times vary by location and mode:
Air freight: 1-3 days after customs clearance.
Ocean freight: 3-5 days after port pickup.
13. Q: What documents are required for FBA customs clearance?
A: Essential documents include:
Commercial invoice & packing list
Bill of lading/Air waybill
Amazon FBA shipping label (must be pre-printed)
Certificates (e.g., FDA for regulated goods)
CBP Form 3461 (for formal entries)
Flexclearing pre-checks documents to avoid delays.
14. Q: Can Flexclearing handle Amazon’s strict labeling requirements?
A: Yes! Our team ensures:
FBA barcode labels are intact and scannable.
Pallet labels are visible and match Amazon’s specifications.
Damaged labels are replaced before warehouse arrival.
15. Q: What happens if my FBA shipment is rejected by Amazon?
A: Flexclearing offers 100% accountability:
Rejected shipments: We investigate and re-label/repack at no extra cost.
Lost/damaged goods: We work with carriers to trace and recover or refund.
Insurance: Optional coverage available for high-value shipments.
16. Q: Can Flexclearing consolidate FBA shipments (LCL)?
A: Yes! We manage LCL ocean freight and air consolidation, grouping smaller shipments to reduce costs. Ideal for sellers with limited inventory.
17. Q: How do I track my FBA shipment after customs clearance?
A: Flexclearing provides real-time tracking via :
Flexclearing systerm for truck deliveries (with ETA updates).
Carrier updates for air/ocean shipments.
24/7 customer support for urgent inquiries.
18. Q: Can Flexclearing handle FDA-regulated FBA products?
A: Yes! We specialize in FDA compliance for:
Food, cosmetics, and medical devices.
CBP formal entries.
Pre-shipment inspections to prevent seizures.
19. Q: Why choose Flexclearing over other FBA logistics providers?
A: Flexclearing’s advantages include:
Dedicated account managers for seamless communication.
End-to-end visibility from origin to Amazon warehouse.
Compliance expertise for FDA, CBP, and Amazon policies.
20.Q: What if the consignee doesn’t have a bond, or the client doesn’t want to use their own company’s bond as the consignee? Can Flexclearing provide a solution?
A: Yes, Flexclearing can help on this issue.
For more question ,please contact us by email: info@flexclearing.com