{"id":594,"date":"2026-11-02T04:02:35","date_gmt":"2026-11-02T04:02:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jieyilogistics.com\/?p=594"},"modified":"2026-11-02T08:14:21","modified_gmt":"2026-11-02T08:14:21","slug":"dap-incoterms","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jieyilogistics.com\/de\/dap-incoterms\/","title":{"rendered":"DAP Incoterms 2020: Delivered at Place Meaning and Who Pays What"},"content":{"rendered":"

DAP (Delivered at Place) sounds simple: the seller delivers to your door. But who pays the destination port charges, who clears customs, and what happens if the goods are held at the port? This guide explains what DAP means in Incoterms 2020, who pays what, where the risk passes, and the common problems when you buy or ship DAP from China.<\/p>\n

Key points<\/strong>
\u2022 Under DAP, the seller delivers the goods to a named place at destination, ready for unloading. That is the point of delivery.
\u2022 The seller pays the main freight and carries the risk until delivery. The buyer unloads, clears import customs and pays duties and taxes.
\u2022 DAP works for every mode of transport: sea, air, rail, road and express.
\u2022 Destination port charges are the most common source of disputes. Agree in writing who pays them.
\u2022 DAP replaced the old term DDU. Want duties included? Ask for DDP.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

What Does DAP Mean?<\/h2>\n

DAP (Delivered at Place)<\/strong> is one of the 11 Incoterms 2020 rules published by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC). The seller delivers when the goods are placed at the buyer’s disposal on the arriving truck, ship or plane at the named place of destination, ready for unloading<\/strong>. The place is written after the term, for example “DAP 123 Main Street, Dallas, Incoterms 2020” or “DAP Port of Felixstowe”.<\/p>\n

The named place can be your warehouse, a port, an airport or a terminal. The more precise it is, the fewer arguments later.<\/p>\n

Who Pays What Under DAP<\/h2>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Cost or task<\/th>\nSeller<\/th>\nBuyer<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Export packing and loading<\/td>\n\u2713<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Export customs clearance in China<\/td>\n\u2713<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Origin port or airport charges<\/td>\n\u2713<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Main freight to the destination<\/td>\n\u2713<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Transport to the named place (e.g. your warehouse)<\/td>\n\u2713<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Destination port charges<\/td>\n\u2713 if included in the seller’s transport contract<\/td>\n\u2713 otherwise<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Unloading at the named place<\/td>\n<\/td>\n\u2713<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Import customs clearance<\/td>\n<\/td>\n\u2713<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Import duty, VAT and other taxes<\/td>\n<\/td>\n\u2713<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Cargo insurance<\/td>\nNot required, but the seller carries the risk, so usually insures<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

Where the Risk Passes Under DAP<\/h2>\n

The risk passes to the buyer at the named place of destination<\/strong>, when the goods arrive ready for unloading. Loss or damage during the main journey is the seller’s risk. Damage during unloading is the buyer’s risk.<\/p>\n

This is much later than under FOB, FCA or CIF, where the buyer takes the risk once the goods leave China. It is one reason buyers like DAP, and why sellers who quote DAP normally insure the goods. See cargo insurance<\/a>.<\/p>\n

DAP by Transport Mode<\/h2>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Mode<\/th>\nTypical named place<\/th>\nWhat to watch<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Sea freight (FCL)<\/td>\nYour warehouse address, or the destination port<\/td>\nDestination terminal charges and how many free days the container has before demurrage<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Sea freight (LCL)<\/td>\nYour address, or the destination CFS warehouse<\/td>\nDestination CFS and handling fees, which can be high for small shipments<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Air freight<\/td>\nDestination airport or your address<\/td>\nAirport storage starts quickly if customs clearance is late<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Express<\/td>\nYour address (DAP is the courier default)<\/td>\nThe courier collects duties, taxes and a handling fee before delivery<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Rail<\/td>\nAn EU rail terminal or your address<\/td>\nWho arranges the truck from the terminal to your door<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

DAP Cost Example: What the Buyer Still Pays<\/h2>\n

A UK buyer orders goods worth US$20,000 from China on DAP terms to their warehouse in Birmingham. The seller’s price includes the sea freight and insurance to the UK, about US$2,500, plus trucking to the warehouse. The figures below are an example only; the duty rate depends on the product’s HS code.<\/p>\n

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Cost<\/th>\nWho pays<\/th>\nExample amount<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Goods<\/td>\nBuyer, to the seller<\/td>\nUS$20,000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Sea freight and insurance to the UK<\/td>\nSeller (included in the DAP price)<\/td>\nabout US$2,500<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Trucking from the UK port to Birmingham<\/td>\nSeller (included in the DAP price)<\/td>\nIncluded<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
UK import duty, example rate 4% of the customs value (goods plus freight and insurance)<\/td>\nBuyer<\/td>\nUS$900<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
UK import VAT, 20% of goods, freight, insurance and duty<\/td>\nBuyer (VAT-registered buyers can usually reclaim it)<\/td>\nUS$4,680<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Customs clearance and any destination charges not in the seller’s contract<\/td>\nBuyer<\/td>\nQuoted by the broker<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Unloading at the warehouse<\/td>\nBuyer<\/td>\nOwn staff or a local service<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

So a DAP price of about US$22,500 can mean more than US$28,000 by the time the goods are on your shelf. In the USA the calculation is different: duty is usually based on the value of the goods without international freight, and there is no import VAT, but tariffs on Chinese goods can be much higher. See importing from China to the UK<\/a> and US tariffs on Chinese goods<\/a>.<\/p>\n

How to Write DAP in Your Contract<\/h2>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Unclear<\/th>\nClear<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
DAP USA<\/td>\nDAP 1200 Industrial Way, Ontario, CA 91761, USA, Incoterms 2020<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
DAP UK port<\/td>\nDAP Port of Felixstowe, container terminal, Incoterms 2020<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
DAP, all charges paid<\/td>\nDAP [address], Incoterms 2020; destination terminal handling and delivery order fees included by the seller<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
DDU<\/td>\nDAP [address], Incoterms 2020<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

Also agree in writing who books the delivery appointment, how many hours are allowed for unloading, and who pays if the truck has to wait.<\/p>\n

A Typical DAP Shipment from China, Step by Step<\/h2>\n
    \n
  1. Quote and contract:<\/strong> the seller quotes DAP to your address, listing what is and is not included.<\/li>\n
  2. Production and export:<\/strong> the seller packs, clears export customs in China and books the freight.<\/li>\n
  3. Main transport:<\/strong> the goods travel at the seller’s risk. You should still receive the tracking details.<\/li>\n
  4. Before arrival:<\/strong> you or your customs broker prepare the import declaration, with the invoice, packing list and bill of lading or air waybill.<\/li>\n
  5. Import clearance:<\/strong> you pay the duties and taxes. Delays here are your cost.<\/li>\n
  6. Delivery:<\/strong> the seller’s carrier brings the goods to your address. The risk passes to you; you unload and check the goods.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Common Problems with DAP<\/h2>\n