Moving goods from one country to another is a complex process. Pick-up, export paperwork and the ocean or air leg, customs clearance and the final delivery. When you deal with each company individually, you end up having to deal with multiple companies and multiple invoices.
All that is taken together under a single roof with door to door international freight forwarding. One service provider picks up the goods from the sender and sends them to the final destination. You have one team and one price.
This guide will help you understand what door to door international freight forwarding is, what needs to be included on an international freight quote, what influences the price and how to request an accurate international freight quote first time.
Quick Answer
In Door-to-door international freight forwarding, the freight forwarder takes care of the entire trip of goods from the pickup location in one country to the delivery location in another nation. This can consist of pickup, export documentation, international sea or air freight, customs clearance and local delivery. The key pieces of information you will need to provide to get an accurate door to door international freight quote is ‘pick up’ and ‘drop off’ locations, a description of the goods, weight and dimensions, the mode of transport you prefer, and your timings. In a good quote it makes a clear distinction of every service that is included and what’s not. Think Global Logistics (TGL) offers importers & exporters in Australia a custom door to door quote.
What Is Door-to-Door International Freight Forwarding?
Door to door international freight forwarding is a shipping service that transports goods from a pick-up point to a final destination in another country. The forwarder takes care of each stage, so don’t.
Service may include:
- Pickup from the supplier’s factory, warehouse or office
- Export documentation and handling at the origin
- International transport by sea or air
- Customs clearance at the destination
- Local delivery to your premises or your customer’s address
Ideas are easy. A shipping line, trucking company and customs broker all in one. That translates to less handoff and better accountability.
Door-to-Door vs Port-to-Port: What’s the Difference?
A lot of people request a “freight quote” when they aren’t aware as to what kind of a quote they are requesting. This will make it difficult later on when two quotes may be quite different for the same shipment.
| Feature | Door-to-door | Port-to-port |
| Starts at | Supplier’s address | Origin port or airport |
| Ends at | Your delivery address | Destination port or airport |
| Pickup included | Yes | No |
| Customs clearance | Usually included or coordinated | Usually separate |
| Local delivery | Included | Not included |
| Number of providers | Often one | Several |
| Best for | Hands-off, simple management | Businesses with their own transport and customs |
A port-to-port quote may seem more affordable, but it doesn’t account for the price of the port charges at the beginning or end of the trip. Including pickup, customs and delivery, totals are all often close. With door-to-door, you’ll get a fuller picture from the get-go.
How Door-to-Door International Freight Forwarding Works, Step by Step
Here’s how a typical shipment moves from the sender in one country to your door in Australia.
- Quote and booking. You send your shipment details. The forwarder provides a quote, and you confirm the booking.
- Pickup at origin. A truck collects your goods from the supplier and takes them to a warehouse or port.
- Export handling. The forwarder arranges export paperwork, packing checks and loading into a container or onto a flight.
- International transit. Your cargo travels by sea or air to Australia.
- Arrival and customs. When the cargo lands, a licensed customs broker lodges the import declaration with the Australian Border Force (ABF). Biosecurity checks happen where required.
- Duty and GST. Any duty and GST are calculated and paid so your goods can be released.
- Destination handling. The container is unpacked, or the air cargo is collected, at a depot or warehouse.
- Final delivery. A truck takes the goods to your address.
At each step, the forwarder tracks progress and updates you. That visibility is one of the biggest benefits of the door-to-door model.
What Should a Door-to-Door International Freight Quote Include?
There are several factors that will determine the price you pay including the location of origin, the location of delivery, the weight and size of the goods and the mode of transport, customs and final delivery arrangements. These are separated into lines by a clear quote.
Your quote could contain the following:
| Quote item | What it covers |
| Pickup and origin handling | Collecting goods and preparing them for export |
| International freight | Sea or air transport to Australia |
| Export documentation | Origin paperwork and handling fees |
| Customs clearance | Import declaration and broker fees |
| Destination handling | Port or airport charges, unpacking, storage |
| Local delivery | Trucking to your final address |
| Duties and taxes | Customs duty and GST, where specified |
| Insurance | Cover against loss or damage in transit |
| Surcharges | Fuel, peak season or other additional charges |
A good quote also specifies what it doesn’t include. If there’s an absent line, inquire about it. The most frequent cause for an invoice being more expensive than the initial quote is hidden extras.
How to Request a Door-to-Door International Freight Quote
It’s easy to get a quote from Think Global Logistics. In order to provide you an accurate estimate, we have some information we would need about your shipment.
The Information You’ll Need
- Pickup location. The suburb, city and country where the goods will be collected.
- Delivery location. The address, or at least the suburb and postcode, where the goods need to end up.
- Cargo details. A clear description of the goods, plus the weight, dimensions and the number of cartons or pallets. If you know the commodity type, include it.
- Preferred transport mode. Air freight suits urgent or high-value goods. Sea freight suits larger shipments that aren’t time-sensitive.
- Timing. Your preferred dispatch and arrival dates, if you have them.
- Special requirements. Any special handling, insurance, customs or delivery instructions, such as a tail-lift truck or a delivery appointment.
The more detail you provide, the more precise the quote. Rough numbers lead to rough prices.
Tips for a Faster, More Accurate Quote
- Measure and weigh your cargo properly. Estimates cause re-quotes. Actual weight and dimensions are best.
- Share the commercial invoice or packing list if you have one. It helps the forwarder check the goods and the tariff classification.
- Mention any dangerous or restricted goods early. Batteries, chemicals and certain foods need special handling and permits.
- Be clear about who pays what. Specify whether you’re covering costs at the origin, or if the supplier is.
- Ask for the quote in writing. This protects both sides and makes it easy to compare.
What Affects the Price of a Door-to-Door International Freight Quote?
No two shipments cost exactly the same. Here are the main factors.
Origin and destination. Longer routes and remote locations usually cost more. Delivering to a major city is cheaper than a regional town.
Weight and volume. Freight is charged by weight, volume or both, depending on the mode. Sea freight often uses cubic metres. Air freight uses chargeable weight, which is the greater of actual weight or volumetric weight.
Mode of transport. Air is faster but more expensive. Sea is slower and cheaper per unit.
Shipment size. A full container (FCL) is priced per container. A smaller load (LCL) shares space and is priced per cubic metre.
Customs and biosecurity. Some goods need permits, inspections or treatments. These add time and cost.
Delivery requirements. Residential delivery, tail-lifts, timed deliveries and remote areas all affect the price.
Market conditions. Carrier rates, fuel costs and peak season surcharges move throughout the year. A quote is a snapshot, so it usually has an expiry date.
Sea Freight or Air Freight for Door-to-Door Shipments?
Both modes are applicable for door to door services. The one to choose will depend on your priorities.
Choose sea freight when:
- Your product is bulky, heavy or expensive weight for weight.
- You can make several weeks’ worth of plans ahead.
- When it comes to costs, it’s more important than speed.
Choose air freight when:
- You must have the goods in days!
- The shipment is small, light or high in value
- The freight premium is not the cost.
Both are employed in many businesses. Stock is delivered by ship every day and by plane when needed. Your forwarder will be able to give you a comparison of the two and you will know what to choose with hard data.
Customs, Duty and GST: What Importers Into Australia Should Know
Imports into Australia must be cleared at customs. This is a legal requirement and cannot be overlooked.
A customs broker holds the import declaration with the Australian Border Force. The duty rate is determined by the broker’s classification of your goods in the appropriate tariff code. A wide range of products are subject to a general duty rate or can be duty-free or subject to a lower rate under a Free Trade Agreement, if necessary with the appropriate documentation.
GST is also applicable to imports. It’s 10 per cent of the value of the taxable importation, which includes the customs value, freight, insurance and any duty.
Biosecurity is an independent process. The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry inspects goods which may contain pests or disease. Usually, inspections of, or treatment for, items like used equipment, timber packaging, food or plant material are required. This helps to save days at the port if done right in advance of the cargo.
If customs clearance is included as a part of your door-to-door service, your forwarder will take care of all of this. You need not look for, short and then pay an additional broker.
Common Mistakes When Requesting a Door-to-Door International Freight Quote
Giving vague cargo details. “A few boxes” isn’t enough. Without weight and dimensions, the quote will be a guess.
Comparing different types of quote. A port-to-port price and a door-to-door price aren’t the same thing. Check that every quote covers the same scope.
Ignoring surcharges. Fuel, peak season and congestion charges can be significant. Ask which ones apply.
Forgetting insurance. Standard carrier liability is often limited. Cargo insurance is a small cost compared with the value of the goods.
Leaving customs until the last minute. Missing paperwork can hold a container at the port while storage fees build up.
Not checking the quote’s validity. Rates can change. Ask how long the quote is valid, and book before it expires if the price suits you.
A Simple Example: Importing Furniture From Vietnam to Brisbane
Imagine that a Brisbane merchant is importing 15 cubic metres of furniture from a supplier in Ho Chi Minh City.
The retailer calls in to a forwarder and provides them with the pickup location, Brisbane delivery location, dimensions of the cargo, and a desired arrival date 6 weeks in the future. The forwarder suggests sea transport, as the shipment is flexible and bulky.
The quote covers: factory pick up, export handling, ocean freight from the city, customs clearance, biosecurity inspection (if required), unpacking at depot and delivery to retailer’s warehouse. Duty and GST are listed separately and estimates for any known surcharges are shown.
The entire process is managed by a single provider, so there is only one point of contact for the retailer in case of updates. If the supplier does not pick up the items within two days of the forwarder’s booking, the forwarder will rebook the sailing and re-set the delivery date. The retailer will never have to follow up on any one.
Why Choose Global Logistics for Door-to-Door Freight?
Choosing the right freight forwarding company can make it easier to manage international shipping. Think Global Logistics assists businesses in arranging the international freight with solutions for their cargo and delivery needs.
If you’re bringing-in goods, sending out products or ordering international goods for your routine needs, our crew can help you:
- Choose the right shipping method for your cargo, timeline and budget
- Understand the logistics involved, step by step
- Get clear, itemised quotes without hidden extras
- Manage customs clearance with our in-house licensed team
- Track your shipment from pickup to delivery
Since 2014, we have been engaged with importers and exporters in Australia. Your cargo moves seamlessly from one point to the next without unnecessary handoffs with our Sydney head office that co-ordinates your sea freight, air freight, warehousing and local delivery.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is door-to-door international freight forwarding?
It’s a service in shipping that a freight forwarder will arrange the complete transport of your goods from a pick-up address in one country to another destination in another country. This can include documents of arrangement, export, sea/risk freight, customs clearance and final delivery.
How do I get a door-to-door international freight quote?
Provide your forwarding agent with pickup, delivery address, description of goods, weight and dimensions, mode of transport and time of delivery. Include any special requirements (insurance, handling etc.). The more information you provide, the more precise the quote will be.
What does a door-to-door international freight quote usually include?
Usually, the typical quote would include pickup & origin handling, international freight, export documentation, customs clearance, destination handling and local delivery. It can also include charges, taxes and surcharges. Be sure to read what is included and not included.
How much does door-to-door international shipping cost?
The price is determined by the route, weight and volume of your shipment, the type of transportation, customs clearance and delivery procedures. These factors vary from shipment to shipment, so the safest way to determine this is to get a custom quote.
Is door-to-door shipping more expensive than port-to-port?
The price shown is usually a higher price as it includes more services. However, port to port does not include pickup, customs and delivery which would be paid for separately. The sum of all the above can often be comparable, and in cases of door-to-door, is easier to manage.
Does door-to-door freight include customs clearance?
Yes, in general, at least coordination of it. Please verify your quote. Only a licensed customs broker may lodge an import declaration on your behalf in Australia, so ensure your forwarder is licensed, or has a licensed customs broker in their employ.
Should I use air freight or sea freight for door-to-door shipping?
Send urgent, light or expensive items via air freight. Consider sea freight for bulkier, heavier or medium priority items. Many companies will use both, depending on the order.
How long does door-to-door international freight take?
Usually air shipment will take a couple of days to a week door to door. Sea freight will take a few weeks usually, depending on the route, port and customs clearance. Request a quote from your forwarder according to your particular lane.
The Bottom Line
International freight forwarding from door to door can stress-free the cross-border shipping process. One provider does everything from pickup to delivery, customs, and transport so you’re seeing a clearer picture on pricing, improved tracking, and less to deal with. It all begins with providing your forwarder with the correct information; this is the key to a good outcome with regards to an international freight quote from door-to-door.
Looking to take the plunge? Think Global Logistics can quote you an importer/exporter door to door international freight solution in Australia. Contact our team with your pickup location, delivery address and cargo details, or request a quote directly. We’ll look over your requirements and recommend a shipping solution built around your shipment.
