A practical guide to DAP shipping — including seller and buyer responsibilities, risk transfer, import clearance, unloading, DAP vs DDP and DPU, and shipping from China.
SEE DAP RESPONSIBILITIESUnder DAP (Delivered at Place), the seller delivers when the goods are placed at the buyer's disposal on the arriving means of transport, ready for unloading, at the named place of destination.
The seller bears the cost and risk of bringing the goods to that named destination. The buyer handles import clearance, import duties and taxes, and normally the unloading operation.
The seller arranges transport and carries the risk until the goods reach the named place.
Delivery occurs while the goods remain on the arriving means of transport, ready to be unloaded.
The buyer is responsible for import customs clearance and applicable import duties and taxes.
DAP places most transportation responsibility on the seller, but keeps import clearance and import taxes with the buyer.
Unlike CPT or CIP, DAP is an arrival rule. Delivery and risk transfer occur at the named destination when the goods are ready for unloading.
Because the seller carries risk all the way to the DAP delivery point, vague wording such as “DAP USA” can create uncertainty over exactly where delivery is completed.
| COST / TASK | SELLER | BUYER |
|---|---|---|
| Goods & export packaging | YES | — |
| Origin pickup / inland transport | YES | — |
| Export customs clearance | YES | — |
| Main international freight | YES | — |
| Transport to named DAP destination | YES | — |
| Import customs clearance | — | YES |
| Import duties & taxes | — | YES |
| Unloading at destination | Normally no | YES |
| Cargo insurance | Not required by DAP | Not required by DAP |
A DAP shipment from China can give the buyer a delivered transportation solution while leaving import entry, duties and taxes under the buyer's control.
Goods are packed and cargo details are confirmed.
Origin transport is arranged from the supplier or warehouse.
China export formalities are completed.
Sea, air or multimodal freight moves toward destination.
Buyer completes import clearance and pays applicable duties and taxes.
Seller bears risk until goods arrive ready for unloading.
Both rules can deliver goods to a named destination. The major difference is who handles import clearance, duties and taxes.
Seller transports the goods to the named destination and bears risk to that point.
IMPORT CLEARANCEBUYERIMPORT DUTIES & TAXESBUYERSeller takes responsibility for transport plus import clearance and applicable duties and taxes.
IMPORT CLEARANCESELLERIMPORT DUTIES & TAXESSELLERLocal importer-registration, tax, licensing or customs requirements may prevent a foreign seller from performing DDP obligations. DAP can be a practical alternative when the buyer is able and willing to handle import clearance.
DAP and DPU both deliver at destination, but they differ at the unloading stage.
Seller delivers on the arriving means of transport. Buyer normally unloads.
Seller bears the cost and risk of unloading at the named destination.
Buyer takes most logistics responsibility from the named origin point.
Seller delivers on board the vessel; buyer manages the main carriage.
Buyer handles import clearance, duties, taxes and usually unloading.
Seller takes the highest level of responsibility to the named destination.
State the named destination and, where possible, the exact delivery point. A full delivery address can reduce ambiguity for door-to-door shipments.
The seller or its forwarder arranges pickup in China, export clearance and international transportation to the named Los Angeles delivery point.
The U.S. buyer handles import customs clearance and pays applicable duties and taxes. Delivery under DAP occurs when the goods arrive at the named place on the transport vehicle ready for unloading.
RISK TRANSFERS AT THE NAMED DAP DESTINATION BEFORE UNLOADING.Exact documentation depends on cargo, mode, destination and customs requirements.
DAP means Delivered at Place. The seller delivers when the goods are placed at the buyer's disposal on the arriving means of transport, ready for unloading, at the named destination.
The buyer is responsible for import clearance and applicable import duties and taxes under DAP.
The buyer normally bears the unloading responsibility under DAP. If the parties want the seller to bear unloading risk and cost, DPU may be more appropriate.
Risk transfers at the named destination when the goods are placed at the buyer's disposal on the arriving means of transport ready for unloading.
Yes. DAP can be used regardless of transport mode and can also be used for multimodal shipments.
Under DAP, the buyer handles import clearance and import duties and taxes. Under DDP, those obligations are placed on the seller.
DAP does not require either party to obtain cargo insurance under the Incoterms® rule, although the seller bears risk until the named destination.
Send us your supplier location, cargo details, named destination and cargo-ready date. We can review sea, air and door-to-door transportation options.
GET A FREE QUOTEThis page is a general educational summary and is not the official ICC Incoterms® 2020 text or legal advice. The named destination, sales contract, customs requirements and actual transportation arrangement matter. Refer to the official ICC rules when incorporating DAP into a contract.
ChengYu Ship can coordinate freight from China to the USA or Canada, including pickup, main transportation and final delivery options.
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