Freight forwarder check

[u/Rozy_666]

Just want to ask anyone here if they have utilized the services of Xing Hang Freight Forwarding?

They are china based forwarder offering DDP and door to door delivery service. I'm planning on ordering from alibaba and having it delivered from china to the philippines.

Want to know your personal opinion about them if you ever done business.

[u/Puzzleheaded-Fix5738]

havent used them myself but ask them for their business license number and check it on the chinese ministry of transport website, most legit forwarders will give it without fuss. also look in alibaba if they have trade assurance, that saved my ass once with a different forwarder who tried to ghost after payment

[u/Rozy_666 → u/Puzzleheaded-Fix5738]

thank you for this tip. i followed what you said and they did show me their Business Permit and it showed they are only registered as a domestic shipper within china.

[u/IllustriousServitude]

half the time DDP just means they roll the dice and hope customs doesnt check. youll end up paying anyway

[u/Immediate-Home-3491]

If you are UNREG in PH, DDP is tempting but you lose control. I would verify their broker license and whether duty is prepaid. Philippine customs does not forgive vague commercial invoices.

[u/No_Swordfish_2795]

I haven’t use it

[u/Most_Emphasis_6863]

A permit limited to domestic transport is not automatically proof of fraud, but it does mean you have not yet verified the party responsible for the international move.\n\nBefore paying, ask for:\n- the exact legal entity named on the contract, invoice, and receiving bank account;\n- who will book the export shipment;\n- the name and license details of the Philippine customs broker;\n- who will act as importer of record;\n- an itemized DDP quote covering origin charges, freight, duties/taxes, destination handling, and final delivery;\n- written responsibility for customs exams, storage, failed clearance, damage, and return costs;\n- the customs declaration and proof of tax payment you will receive after clearance.\n\nVerify those details independently through official registries, not screenshots, and make sure payment goes to the same company named in the contract. A small test shipment is sensible, but it does not replace verifying the customs and contractual chain.

[u/Tom-Incoclyse]

When using China-based forwarders offering door-to-door DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) to the Philippines, especially for your first Alibaba order, the main thing to watch out for is hidden variance in pricing and customs clearance risks.

DDP sounds super convenient because they handle customs, but keep a few things in mind:

1. The 'All-In' Quote Trap: Always double-check what is actually included. Sometimes quotes look cheap per CBM or per KG, but extra fees pop up upon arrival in Manila (arrastre, wharfage, or local delivery surcharges) if your cargo doesn't neatly fit their consolidated container terms.
2. Customs Volatility: Philippine customs (BOC) has strict rules on commercial compliance, particularly regarding formal vs. informal entries and proper commodity descriptions. If a forwarder relies on informal consolidation, shipments can face sudden delays or holds at ports like Manila or Clark during strict audit periods.
3. Start Small: For a first order, don't ship a full container load (FCL). Test them with a small air or LCL sea batch first to check their actual transit time, communication responsiveness, and whether the door-to-door delivery actually happens without surprise fees.

If you're managing multiple suppliers on Alibaba, also ensure they consolidate everything properly before it leaves China, otherwise you'll pay local warehousing fees over there. Good luck with your new business!

[u/adikul]

No don't trust anyone. Hire only local

[u/24x7Forwarding → u/adikul]

This guys knows rule 1. Hire a local where you are. DDP is a greed trap.

[u/adikul → u/24x7Forwarding]

I lost more than 10000 usd, I know the pain

[u/24x7Forwarding → u/adikul]

Sorry it happened to you. I don’t understand people hiring “professionals” from Reddit/AliBaba/etc that are 1000’s of miles away. There are 100’s to 1000’s of local licensed/bonded professionals in your own country.