A practical guide to DPU shipping — including seller and buyer responsibilities, unloading, risk transfer, DPU vs DAP and DDP, and when this destination rule makes sense.
SEE DPU RESPONSIBILITIESUnder DPU (Delivered at Place Unloaded), the seller delivers the goods at the named place of destination after unloading them from the arriving means of transport.
The seller bears the cost and risk of bringing the goods to the named destination and also bears the unloading obligation. The buyer is responsible for import customs clearance, import duties and taxes.
The seller arranges and bears risk for transport all the way to the named place.
Delivery is not complete until the goods have been unloaded from the arriving means of transport.
The buyer completes import clearance and pays applicable duties and taxes.
DPU places extensive transportation responsibility on the seller, including unloading at destination, while import clearance remains with the buyer.
DPU is an arrival rule. Risk transfers only after the goods reach the named destination and the seller completes unloading.
Under DPU, the seller remains responsible for risk during the unloading operation. Under DAP, delivery occurs before unloading.
| COST / TASK | SELLER | BUYER |
|---|---|---|
| Goods & export packaging | YES | — |
| Origin pickup / inland transport | YES | — |
| Export customs clearance | YES | — |
| Main international freight | YES | — |
| Transport to named DPU destination | YES | — |
| Unloading at named destination | YES | — |
| Import customs clearance | — | YES |
| Import duties & taxes | — | YES |
| Cargo insurance | Not required by DPU | Not required by DPU |
Both are destination rules and both leave import clearance with the buyer. The key difference is unloading.
Seller delivers on the arriving means of transport at the named destination. Buyer normally unloads.
RISK TRANSFERBEFORE UNLOADINGSeller transports and unloads the goods at the named destination.
RISK TRANSFERAFTER UNLOADINGDPU and DDP both place substantial transportation responsibility on the seller, but they differ on import-side customs and taxes.
Seller delivers and unloads at destination. Buyer clears import and pays duties and taxes.
Seller handles import clearance and applicable duties and taxes, but normally does not have to unload.
Incoterms® 2010 used the term DAT — Delivered at Terminal. Incoterms® 2020 renamed DAT to DPU — Delivered at Place Unloaded.
The change emphasizes that delivery after unloading does not have to occur only at a terminal. The named place can be another suitable destination where unloading can safely be completed.
DPU should only be used when the seller can safely and practically arrange unloading at the named place.
Is a forklift, crane, dock or other equipment required?
Can the truck or container reach the named delivery point?
Does the cargo require special lifting, handling or safety procedures?
Can the seller realistically coordinate unloading at the buyer's location?
The Incoterm should match the real physical delivery process, not just the desired commercial wording.
A DPU shipment from China can work when the seller or logistics provider can control transportation and unloading at the named destination while the buyer handles import clearance.
Goods and export packaging are prepared.
Seller arranges collection and inland transport.
China export formalities are completed.
Sea, air or multimodal freight moves to destination.
Buyer clears customs and pays applicable duties and taxes.
Delivery completes after unloading at the named place.
State the named place and exact unloading point as precisely as possible. The seller needs to know where the unloading obligation ends and where risk transfers.
The seller arranges pickup in China, export clearance and international transport to the buyer's named warehouse.
The buyer handles U.S. import clearance and applicable duties and taxes. After arrival, the seller remains responsible for unloading the cargo. DPU delivery and risk transfer occur only after unloading is completed.
SELLER RISK CONTINUES THROUGH THE UNLOADING OPERATION.Exact documentation depends on cargo, mode, destination and regulatory requirements.
DPU means Delivered at Place Unloaded. The seller delivers after unloading the goods at the named destination.
The seller is responsible for unloading the goods at the named place of destination.
Risk transfers after the goods have been unloaded at the named destination.
The buyer is responsible for import clearance and applicable import duties and taxes.
Yes. DPU can be used for any mode or combination of modes, including air and multimodal transport.
Under DAP, delivery occurs before unloading and the buyer normally unloads. Under DPU, the seller must unload before delivery is completed.
DAT from Incoterms® 2010 was renamed DPU in Incoterms® 2020 to emphasize that the named unloading place does not have to be a terminal.
No. DPU does not require either party to obtain cargo insurance under the Incoterms® rule, although the seller bears risk until unloading is completed.
Send us the origin, cargo details, destination, unloading requirements and cargo-ready date. We can review whether DPU, DAP or another delivery structure better matches the shipment.
GET A FREE QUOTEThis page is a general educational summary and is not the official ICC Incoterms® 2020 text or legal, tax or customs advice. The named unloading place, site conditions, transport contract and sales contract matter. Refer to the official ICC rules when incorporating DPU into a contract.
ChengYu Ship can help review the route, delivery point and handling requirements for international freight from China to North America.
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