United States delivery
Shipping machinery from China to a US factory: who unloads the truck?
Give the receiving supervisor one question before asking for a door delivery price: once the truck stops, who takes the crate off it, and exactly where does their responsibility end? A ZIP code locates the building. It does not describe the handover.
Map the last few hundred feet
Ask the plant for the truck entrance, check-in point and unloading bay. A street address can lead to the office entrance, while the receiving gate is on another road. Request a site sketch or photos of the approach and staging area. Ask whether the site receives this type of trailer at dock height, at ground level or in a yard.
Name the person arranging unloading
The purchasing contact may assume the plant has equipment. The plant may expect the freight provider to bring it. Send the package drawing and gross weight to the receiving supervisor. Ask them to confirm who arranges the operator, who coordinates any rigging contractor, and whether the scope ends at the truck, on the ground or at the installation area. Have the handling provider assess equipment suitability.
Work backwards from the receiving appointment
Record the receiving hours in local time, how much notice the plant needs, the appointment contact and what happens if the delivery date moves. If a contractor must attend, ask when their booking can be changed. Put these conditions beside the freight quote so the buyer knows which costs depend on an appointment.
A note the buyer can forward to the plant
“We expect one crated machine from China. Can you confirm the delivery gate and ZIP code, unloading location, appointment lead time and who will unload? I will send the packed size, gross weight and drawing. Please flag anything the driver must arrange before arrival.” Return the reply with the freight enquiry and identify any point still open.