IMPORT ALUMINIUM DOORS TO USA
A quick guide on how to import European Doors to the USA
You’ve heard that European windows meet high quality standards and decided to buy them. This is the pleasant part of the buying process.
However, to finalize the transaction, you need to ship the goods to your country – USA, which can be difficult without professional help. Yet there is no need to worry, debesto got you covered. In this article, we will go through the most relevant aspects of importing European windows to the USA.
Why are European Doors
worth buying?
European Aluminium Doors are getting more and more popular in the USA. They are better resistant to condensation which reduces the energy consumption especially in colder climates.
Most of the American windows use double pane windows while European windows have triple or even quadruple panes along with integrated blinds. Thanks to that they keep heat during the winter and keep pleasant, not-too-hot temperatures during the summer.
Even if we take into consideration that some of the North American windows also use triple panes, they have smaller spaces between them compared to the European ones. It makes American ones less resilient to the outer climate.
Where to buy
European Doors?
European Aluminium Doors are getting more and more popular in the USA. They are better resistant to condensation which reduces the energy consumption especially in colder climates.
Most of the American windows use double pane windows while European windows have triple or even quadruple panes along with integrated blinds. Thanks to that they keep heat during the winter and keep pleasant, not-too-hot temperatures during the summer.
Even if we take into consideration that some of the North American windows also use triple panes, they have smaller spaces between them compared to the European ones. It makes American ones less resilient to the outer climate.
See our gallery for real
customers’ results
European Aluminium Doors are getting more and more popular in the USA. They are better resistant to condensation which reduces the energy consumption especially in colder climates.
Most of the American windows use double pane windows while European windows have triple or even quadruple panes along with integrated blinds. Thanks to that they keep heat during the winter and keep pleasant, not-too-hot temperatures during the summer.
Even if we take into consideration that some of the North American windows also use triple panes, they have smaller spaces between them compared to the European ones. It makes American ones less resilient to the outer climate.
What’s the cost of the import of the European Doors to the USA?
As you may realize, importing small amounts of windows to the USA can be expensive and profitability of such operations can be debatable in most cases. But, there are some ways to cut these costs. One of them is ordering a full container. For example, a 40-foot container can fit about 100 windows 6 ft 6.74 in x 6 ft 6.74 in (78 3/4″ x 78 3/4″). Ordering a full container is more cost-effective than ordering fewer windows than the container can hold (we call this LCL – less than container can load).
How to arrange shipping european windows to the USA?
Ok, we know how much it costs to import windows from Europe to the USA. Now, let’s find out how to arrange this process. To understand the shipping process follow these 5 steps:
1. Packing in UK
Let’s assume that you have already chosen the windows and ordered them. After that, the producer prepares your order which takes from one to eight weeks. Then, they transport the goods for container loading or deliver them to a given warehouse.
Now it’s time for professional protection and preparation of the parcel with windows for a long journey, so that it arrives in perfect condition. In the meantime, your partner estimates the number of crates the goods will be loaded into. When everythings is ready, they contact the shipping company, which determines the cost of transport.
Your windows are placed in stands or boxes that are specially adapted for long journeys of fragile goods. Their structures are resistant to various external factors, such as moisture, shocks, or insects.
If your order is smaller or consists of tiny elements, there is a possibility to send it as so-called general cargo. It is packed into special small boxes, which are then loaded onto a container. In that case, you don’t need to pay for the entire container.
After the goods are properly packed, we contact the sea freight company, to which we provide all the necessary shipping documents.
2. Port in UK
Let’s assume that you have already chosen the windows and ordered them. After that, the producer prepares your order which takes from one to eight weeks. Then, they transport the goods for container loading or deliver them to a given warehouse.
Now it’s time for professional protection and preparation of the parcel with windows for a long journey, so that it arrives in perfect condition. In the meantime, your partner estimates the number of crates the goods will be loaded into. When everythings is ready, they contact the shipping company, which determines the cost of transport.
Your windows are placed in stands or boxes that are specially adapted for long journeys of fragile goods. Their structures are resistant to various external factors, such as moisture, shocks, or insects.
If your order is smaller or consists of tiny elements, there is a possibility to send it as so-called general cargo. It is packed into special small boxes, which are then loaded onto a container. In that case, you don’t need to pay for the entire container.
After the goods are properly packed, we contact the sea freight company, to which we provide all the necessary shipping documents.
2. Port in UK
The container is transported to the seaport by rail or road. Then, the shipping company informs us about the approximate date of loading the container and the departure of the goods. It may take several days. Why? It all depends on the equipment, crew and availability of the ships, because the date of departure is contingent on the free space on the ship. Once the departure date is known, your order is ready for the journey.
If your goods are properly packed, the shipowner approves the container as ready for shipment. Usually, it takes several days from acceptance to departure.
3. Shipping
The ocean road (from Europe to New York City) takes around 21 days. But remember, this is the time of the cruise itself and not the total travel time from the warehouse to your destination. You should add from two to three weeks for the organization of the container in the port.
There are two ways to ship your windows: on a CIF rules Cost, Insurance and Freight (named destination port) or DAP (Delivered at Place). They are the incoterms terms.
CIF means that the seller, in our case – debesto, will carry out export customs clearance for you and, what’s equally important, your shipment will be insured for the time of maritime transport right up to the port you choose.
DAP is an option in which the windows will arrive not only at the port, but even at the place you specify – the construction site.
4. Port in the USA
When the container arrives at the pickup location, the shipowner should contact you directly or your US customs broker.
There are two ways to ship a container. The first is the collection of the container from the port, which you have to arrange on your own. It is important to do this quickly as the cargo must not remain in the port for too long. Otherwise you may be charged additional fees.
That’s why it is important to immediately contact the shipping company, which will deliver the material directly to the construction site as soon as the container is unloaded from the ship. It saves you several hundred dollars.
Important: If you have trouble finding the right company, contact your US customs broker. It will definitely help you find the right supplier.
It is also important to be aware that you may wait several days for the ship to unload in port. Therefore, make sure that the US company will pick up your order as soon as it receives information from the customs agency that the goods have been unloaded.
5. Delivery to your company
After collecting the container from the port, the shipping company will take it directly to the construction site. Then you can start the installation process and provide your client with the best quality windows for many years.
You can also deliver your windows directly to the place indicated by you. In this case, the transport is organized by your partner on the Polish side. But in that scenario, you have to be ready for higher costs than if you would arrange the transport on your own. At debesto, we cut your costs because we deliver windows up to 186 miles from the port for a $2,000 surcharge.
If, unfortunately, you forgot about some elements, such as handles or hinges – you can always use the classic courier services and send a parcel weighing up to 154.32 lb, which will arrive by plane within 2-3 days. The courier will deliver it directly to the indicated address, so you don’t have to worry about receiving the package.
Importing European windows sounds like a tough job?
We specialize in this! We outsource production and packaging according to the requirements of the delivery country. We will organize formal, legal and customs issues for you. We deliver 98% of windows without damage and on time.
Shipping formalities
Now let’s go through all the required documents related to taxes, customs clearance, etc., which are necessary to take care of shipping from the formal side.
Taxes
When it comes to taxes, there is good news for you – there is a 0% VAT rate when buying goods from Poland and exporting them to the USA. It is justified by the following documents:
IE 529 MRN – This is a confirmation of the beginning of the exportation procedure. We get this document in a Polish port, at the time of the customs clearance. IE 599 – this is a confirmation of the export of goods outside the EU. We receive them within 14 days of the goods leaving the last European Union port.
Tips for reception of DOORSafter reaching USA
After the windows leave the port, an agent from the American side will contact you to take care of all formalities related to the shipping for you.
He should help you with all local payments, and taxes proper for every state. He should also establish a way of taking the goods after it comes to the port – explains Jacek Łyczewski a logistician at debesto.
You can pick up an order on your own or ask for delivery at the building site.
And here is the most important part of the whole process. After your windows reach the USA, the main responsibility for the purchasing process falls on you. Here is what you have to do:
1. Collect of goods from the port on your own within the prescribed time (usually 48-72 hours after the container arrives at the port)
2. Pay the USA duty (check what the rate is)
3. Arrange and pay for transport from the port to the place of investment / warehouse
Payment of port service costs:
for LCL (less than container load) it will be about (strongly estimated: 3-6 USD per 1 ft3 of goods
in the case of full container transport FCL (the entire container exclusively for one customer) the costs depend of your agreement with the sea fright.
Do not omit any of these points because it may cost you a lot of money because of fees. Just one additional day the goods will “spend” in the port may cost you hundreds of dollars!
Shipping DOORS from Europe to the USA – what else you need to know?
Besides all the aforementioned charges, it is good to remember some important aspects of the import. What else should you do?
1. Decide if you want to use the services of an agent recommended by debesto.com or another (handled on your own).
2. Take care of the data that must be provided to the agent.
3. Check if the quantitative and qualitative compliance of the packages is correct.
4. Take photos of the goods in the packages and after opening them in case of possible damages.
ANY DOOR DESIGN OR BESPOKE DOOR DESIGNS AVAILABLE ON REQUEST
We offer a comprehensive range of door models, over 150 designs as standard and the option for bespoke door designs on request. Your gateway to door design freedom.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Yes, all of our products including front doors are made to suit any size.
We can offer doors in any size up to 1200mm wide by 2500mm high.
We offer over 70 door designs, if none of these are to your liking, we can offer bespoke door designs.
Please send an image or design of what is required.
Our default door system is Supertherm Series. This particular door system offers the best specification and excellent value for money.
Yes, we can offer doors opening in or opening out.
Yes, we offer completely flush doors inside and outside in all our door range, except the Pro Line system.
Yes, we can offer letter boxes in satin silver or black.
However, we do not recommend a letter box as this will spoil the aesthetics of the door and the thermal efficiency.
In general, we can deliver your door circa of 6 to 8 working weeks, however dependent on the time of the year the lead times can increase.
Yes, all door models are complete with any handle type, including hidden handles at different dimensions.
