Ship makeup brushes from China to the United States by first agreeing an Incoterm with the factory, then choosing sea, air, or express based on volume, cost, and deadline. The factory’s production-complete date is not the same as the arrival date; you still need export packing, a freight plan, and import formalities. This is not legal or customs advice — check current U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) rules and, for classification and duties, a licensed customs broker or the official tariff.
Shipping and import requirements change. Confirm current official CBP and tariff information for your goods, origin, and mode of transport. This page is general orientation, not legal, customs, or tax advice.
Agree the Incoterm before you book a courier
Incoterms allocate who arranges freight, who pays for which leg, and where risk transfers. EXW usually means you (or your forwarder) pick up at the factory. FOB usually means the factory delivers to a named port. CIF adds carriage and insurance toward the destination port. DDP is a delivered, duties-considered arrangement, if both sides truly mean that.
A low EXW unit price and a DDP unit price are not comparable. Decide the term, put it on the purchase order with a named place or port, and only then collect freight options. If you are not sure, say so on the RFQ and ask the factory what they can offer, but still learn what you would be responsible for.
Choose a mode that matches the shipment
Express couriers are often used for samples and very small first orders because they are fast and simple to door, at a higher cost per kilogram. Air freight can make sense for a modest commercial shipment that cannot wait for the sea. Sea freight is commonly used for heavier, less urgent cartons once dimensions and a forwarder are in place.
Ask the factory for packed carton count, dimensions, and gross weight after the packing is designed. A gift box can change the freight quote as much as an extra SKU. Do not book sea freight on a volume you guessed from unpacked brushes.
Transit time is only one part of the calendar. Add pickup, export, any transshipment, arrival, customs release, and delivery. Peak seasons and missed sailing dates extend sea shipments; weather and capacity extend all modes at times.
Documents you should expect to handle
A commercial invoice and a packing list should match the goods: a clear description, quantities, values, and the seller and buyer names. The factory should not invent a vague description to “make customs easier.” You want an accurate description of makeup or cosmetic brushes.
Import into the United States is governed by current official rules. Importer-of-record responsibilities, entry filing, and any security filings that apply to your mode and shipment type should be confirmed with CBP information or a licensed broker. Do not copy a document list from an old blog post or from another product category.
If you use a freight forwarder or a DDP service, ask in writing what they will file and what they need from you. Keep copies of the invoice, packing list, and payment records with the purchase order.
Packing for the journey, not only for the shelf
Export cartons should protect gift boxes and loose heads from crushing and scuffing. Ask for a packed carton standard and, if the set is fragile, an inner shipper. Moisture and rough handling are normal in freight; packing has to assume that.
Label cartons so SKUs can be found without opening every box. If a pre-shipment inspection is planned, leave time for it before the container or courier pickup.
Insurance is a separate decision from the Incoterm. If you need it, arrange it explicitly rather than assuming it is included.
A practical sequence for a first commercial shipment
1. Lock the specification, sample approval, and Incoterm. 2. Get packed dimensions and weight from the factory. 3. Compare sea, air, and express on that actual volume, including a realistic arrival date. 4. Confirm, with official sources or a broker, how the goods will be entered into the United States and what you must provide. 5. Do not let the factory ship under a different term or a vague invoice description without your agreement.
If this is your first import, a forwarder and a broker can be worth the fee. A missed or incorrect entry is more expensive than a conversation before the goods leave.
FAQ
Can I always use a courier for the first bulk order?
Sometimes, if the volume is small and the cost is acceptable. Once cartons multiply, air or sea is often more appropriate. Compare on real weights, not on the sample parcel.
Who is the importer of record?
That depends on the commercial arrangement and the Incoterm you actually use. Confirm it before shipment; it should not be a surprise at arrival. This is a point for you and your broker, not for a generic rule on a blog.
Should the factory under-declare the value to reduce duty?
No. Invoice values should be truthful. Under-declaration is a serious problem and is not a cost-saving tip.
Does “DDP” mean I can ignore customs?
No. You still need to understand who is filing what and that the goods are described correctly. Read the term as you agreed it, and verify with the party who claims to deliver duty paid.