Building and construction is one of the largest markets for aluminium in North America, and US developers increasingly source fabricated window, door and façade systems from Southeast Asia. These are high-value, fragile and deadline-driven shipments. A late or damaged container can stop a job site.
What US project buyers ask for
- Performance certification to the North American fenestration standard (AAMA/WDMA/CSA 101/I.S.2/A440), plus energy ratings (NFRC) where the project requires them.
- Project-specific curtain wall testing (air, water, structural) for façade systems.
- Finish specifications for anodising or coatings, often referencing AAMA 2603, 2604 or 2605.
- Glass certification for safety and insulating glass units.
Confirm with the buyer which certificates must arrive with the shipment and which are needed before production starts.
Classification and duty
Complete aluminium doors, windows, frames and curtain wall are generally classified under HTS heading 7610, which falls within the Section 232 aluminium scope. Since April 2026 the duty is calculated on the full customs value, glass and hardware included. That makes duty a major line in any DDP quote — see DDP landed cost for aluminium. Units shipped as kits or with separate glass may be classified differently, so send drawings to your broker early.
Packing for long ocean voyages
- Crate glazed units upright in A-frames or stillages, with padding between units.
- Use ISPM 15 treated timber and desiccants. Condensation inside crates can stain finishes and damage insulating glass seals.
- Protect anodised and coated faces with film, and label crates by floor, elevation and installation sequence.
- Long mullions and transoms follow the rules in packing long aluminium profiles.
Delivering to the job site
Construction sites have narrow delivery windows and limited unloading space. Plan:
- The delivery sequence that matches the installation schedule, which may mean storing some crates in a US warehouse first — see transloading.
- Flatbed or side-loader trucks if the site has no forklift dock.
- Appointments with the general contractor and a site contact for the driver.
Why DDP works for façade projects
The contractor wants one landed price per elevation or per floor, and no customs surprises. A DDP quote that bundles freight, duty, clearance and staged delivery lets the fabricator compete with local suppliers on certainty, not only on price.
Related: alloy and HTS guide · US warehousing options · out-of-gauge cargo.