Shipping individual orders to customers in the USA? Discuss your small-parcel workflow with LHD Logistics, from the products and order data you provide to parcel handling, shipping options and delivery updates.
Send a sample order profile, packed dimensions and destination ZIP codes. We will review the requirements with you before confirming a service scope and quotation.
Start with the orders you actually ship
A dropshipping fulfillment plan needs more than an average parcel weight. Product variety, units per order, packaging and customer locations all influence the handling and shipping requirements.
- Product categories, SKU count and any special handling needs.
- Typical daily orders and expected peak volumes.
- Packed parcel weight and dimensions for representative orders.
- Supplier locations and the point at which goods enter the agreed workflow.
- US delivery locations and the customer delivery expectations you advertise.
Parcels or container replenishment?
Both routes start in China and end in the USA, but they are planned differently. Compare the two before deciding where the stock should sit.
| Planning question | Dropshipping parcels | FCL warehouse replenishment |
|---|---|---|
| Who receives the goods? | Individual customers at separate US addresses | A warehouse or another agreed receiving location |
| What supports a quote? | Packed weight, dimensions, destination ZIP codes and order volume | Packing list, container size, delivery ZIP code and receiving requirements |
| What has to be confirmed? | Order processing, tracking, import charges and delivery exceptions | DDP scope, customs arrangements, appointments, unloading and container return |
For bulk inventory, review the USA FCL DDP shipping service instead of pricing the order as individual consumer parcels.
Agree the fulfillment scope before sending stock
Confirm which steps are part of your arrangement: receiving, quantity checks, storage, picking, packing, labeling, dispatch and exception handling. Ask about the applicable charges and the records available for each step. Optional handling should be agreed before goods arrive.
If you need custom packaging, branded inserts, product inspection or returns handling, describe the requirement and request confirmation of availability and cost.
How an order moves through the agreed workflow
- Confirm the product and parcel profile. Provide accurate item descriptions, values and packed measurements.
- Agree order handover. Confirm the order format, address fields, cut-off arrangements and how corrections are handled.
- Confirm handling and shipping. Review packaging, labels, route availability and dispatch requirements.
- Receive shipment updates. Agree how tracking references are shared and how missing scans or delivery issues are investigated.
- Manage exceptions. Define the process for address changes, failed delivery, returns and claims before routine dispatch begins.
Compare the complete cost per order
Ask for the shipping charge basis together with handling, packaging, storage and any applicable surcharges. Review dimensional-weight rules, rounding and minimum charges. A headline price per kilogram may not represent the total cost of a packed order.
Confirm how customs declarations, duties and taxes are handled for the selected route. Product acceptance and import requirements must be checked for the actual goods; do not build a pricing plan around an assumed duty-free entitlement.
Chargeable weight in practice
Parcel rates are charged on the greater of actual weight and dimensional weight, and the divisor differs between express, postal and dedicated-line services. A low-density item such as a cushion or a folded bag can bill at several times its scale weight, while a dense item such as a tool set bills on actual weight. Price the packed dimensions of your top three SKUs before you publish free shipping or a flat rate, and recheck the calculation whenever the packaging changes.
Build realistic delivery expectations
Separate order processing from transport and final delivery. Ask when the delivery estimate begins, what destinations it covers and how exceptions are reported. Use the agreed service information when setting customer expectations.
Products that need review before acceptance
Some categories cannot be priced from a product photo alone. Send the details below before you commit to a rate or promise a delivery date.
- Batteries and products containing them. Usually limited to specific services, with test documentation and packing requirements to be confirmed.
- Liquids, powders and creams. Classification depends on the formulation rather than the product category, so safety data may be requested.
- Branded or licensed goods. Authorization can be asked for at import. That is a sourcing question before it becomes a shipping one.
- Regulated categories. Children’s products, cosmetics and electronics can carry labelling and certification obligations for the importer of record. Confirm who that is before booking.
Returns when the goods are far away
Returning a low-value parcel across the Pacific rarely costs less than the product itself. Decide the policy before launch rather than case by case. Three arrangements are common in practice: reship a replacement without asking for the item back when the value is low; consolidate returns at an agreed US location for higher-value goods; or refund and write off the loss against your margin. Publishing clear return rules prevents more disputes than any single logistics fix.
From first orders to steady volume
Dropshipping is usually the testing stage. Once a product proves itself, the same goods often move more cheaply as consolidated inventory. Compare the per-parcel cost you pay today with the consolidated cost at your monthly volume before deciding to hold stock in the USA. Our FCL DDP quote checklist and the guide to how the process works cover that transition.
To review both options with your own numbers, request a shipping quote with your product list, parcel measurements and expected monthly volume.
Frequently asked questions
Do you provide a direct Shopify integration?
Tell us which store platform you use and how you currently export orders. Confirm a supported handover method before connecting systems or planning automatic fulfillment.
Can you ship products containing batteries or liquids?
Provide the exact product details and supporting documents for review. Acceptance depends on the product, packaging and selected service. Do not send special cargo before acceptance is confirmed.
Is there a minimum daily order volume?
Share your typical and peak order volumes so the handling arrangement and any minimum charges can be confirmed in your quotation.
How are returns and failed deliveries handled?
Confirm the available options, return location, fees and authorization process before shipping. Do not assume local US returns processing is included.
Should I use parcel fulfillment or ship inventory in a container?
Parcel fulfillment addresses individual customer orders. Bulk inventory replenishment involves a different receiving and distribution plan. For container shipments, review our USA FCL DDP service.
Request a dropshipping fulfillment quote
Send a representative product list, expected daily orders, parcel measurements, US destination examples and any packaging requirements.
LHD international Logistics