By the horizbox packaging team · 28 Oct 2026 · 6 min read · Shipping guides

Shipping Custom Boxes to the US: Production, Sea and Air Freight, and DDP Explained

The question every US brand asks after the quote is: when will the boxes actually arrive? The answer has three parts — production, freight, and trade terms — and they are easy to mix up.

Part 1: production

Production depends on box style and finishing. As a guide from our factory: mailer boxes typically 12–18 days, folding cartons 12–16 days, rigid boxes 18–25 days, and corrugated shippers 10–15 days. A printed proof, if you order one, takes 3–5 working days before production, and a free dieline takes 24 hours.

Part 2: freight to the US

Sea freight to Los Angeles / Long Beach: about 15–20 days
Air freight: 5–7 days
Sea is the usual choice for a full order; air suits a small, urgent top-up or a launch deadline

Part 3: trade terms, in plain words

EXW means you collect from the factory and arrange freight yourself. FOB means the factory delivers to the port of shipment. DDP means duties are pre-paid and the order is delivered to you, which is why most US clients choose DDP: there is no separate customs and duty step at arrival.

How to plan a launch date

Work backwards: launch date, minus freight, minus production, minus proof and dieline time. For a sea shipment, that usually means starting 6–8 weeks before you need the boxes in hand, depending on style. If the date is tight, say so at the start — air freight or a smaller first run is easier to plan than a rush at the end.