How to Import LED Displays from China: CIF, DDP, EXW and FOB Explained
What each trade term covers, who handles shipping and customs, and how your order runs from quotation to delivery.
Buying an LED display from China is straightforward once you understand the four words that decide who arranges the shipping, who pays the freight and insurance, and where the seller's responsibility ends: CIF, DDP, EXW and FOB. These are the international trade terms — Incoterms — printed on every quotation, and choosing the wrong one is the most common reason a first-time buyer faces surprise costs or delays at the port. This guide explains each term in plain language, shows how an order runs from quotation to delivery, and lists exactly what we need from you to prepare a quotation.
1. The four terms at a glance
| Term | What it means | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| CIF | Cost, insurance and freight to your destination port, arranged by the seller. You clear customs at the port and arrange transport onwards. | Buyers who want the goods shipped to their country's port |
| DDP | Delivered duty paid to the warehouse in Mexico City. You collect the goods there yourself. | Buyers in Mexico who want the simplest delivery |
| EXW | Ex-works Shenzhen: you collect the goods at the factory and arrange everything from there. | Buyers with their own forwarder in China |
| FOB | Free on board Shenzhen: the seller delivers the goods onto the vessel; you arrange the sea freight and insurance from there. | Buyers who already have a shipping agent |
The screen itself is the same under every term — our flagship P3.91 outdoor rental screens, P2.6 and P2.9 indoor and outdoor models, P5 fixed outdoor screens and P2.5 poster screens are all available under any of the four. Only the delivery arrangement changes.
2. CIF — shipped to your port, insured
CIF is the term most of our Latin American customers choose. The seller arranges and pays the sea freight and the insurance up to the destination port, so the price on your quotation already includes getting the goods to your country. When the vessel arrives, you — or your customs agent — clear the goods through import customs and arrange transport from the port to your site. CIF is a good fit when you have a customs agent at your port and want one all-in price for the goods, the freight and the insurance. Sea freight takes 35–45 days, so plan your project date around that.
3. DDP — delivered to Mexico City, duties paid
DDP is the simplest term for buyers in Mexico: the seller delivers the goods, duties already paid, to the warehouse in Mexico City, and you collect them there yourself. You do not need to arrange customs clearance or pay import duties — that is handled before delivery. DDP is the right choice when you want the goods to arrive ready for collection with no customs paperwork on your side. Because duties and local delivery are included, a DDP quotation is the easiest to compare with a local purchase: the number on the quotation is the number you pay to collect the goods.
4. EXW — you collect from Shenzhen
Under EXW, the seller makes the goods available at the works in Shenzhen, and you take over from there: your forwarder collects the screens, books the transport, and handles export and import. This term suits buyers who already have a trusted freight forwarder in China, or who are combining our screens with goods from other suppliers into one shipment. It gives you full control over the shipping route and the carrier, and it is the term to choose when your forwarder asks for it. One thing to check before choosing EXW: your forwarder must be able to collect from Shenzhen and handle the export paperwork.
5. FOB — loaded onto the vessel in Shenzhen
FOB sits between EXW and CIF. The seller delivers the goods onto the vessel at the port of Shenzhen, and from that point the sea freight and insurance are yours to arrange. FOB works well when you already have a shipping agent who gives you a better freight rate than the one we can offer, or when you want the shipment on a specific vessel or schedule. The practical difference from CIF is simple: under CIF we book the freight and the insurance, under FOB you do.
6. How an order runs, step by step
Whichever term you choose, the order itself follows the same steps. First, the quotation: it is valid for 7 days, so confirm within that window to hold the terms. Second, the deposit: production starts when we receive a 30% deposit. Third, production: the lead time is 15–20 days. Fourth, the balance: the remaining 70% is paid before shipping — goods are only shipped once full payment is received. Fifth, transport: sea freight takes 35–45 days under CIF and DDP; under EXW and FOB the transit time depends on the freight you book. Finally, after-sales: the cabinets carry a two-year warranty and the sender box a one-year warranty. The two numbers to plan your project around are the 15–20 day production time and the 35–45 day sea freight time.
7. What we need to quote you
To prepare a quotation under the right term, send us five facts: the screen size in meters (width × height), the model or pixel pitch — P3.91, P2.6, P2.9, P5 or P2.5 poster — whether the screen is indoor or outdoor, the destination country and port or city, and which trade term you prefer, or whether you would like us to recommend one. With those five facts we can quote the screens, the matching video processor, and the freight under CIF, DDP, EXW or FOB, and you can compare the terms side by side before deciding.
Ready to import your LED display? Message us on WhatsApp at +86 155 7321 7152 with your screen size, destination and preferred trade term, or use the Request a Quotation button below and we will prepare your quotation.