# Understand Delivered Duty Unpaid (DDU) and Its Modern Equivalent, DAP

## What Is Delivered Duty Unpaid (DDU)?

Delivered Duty Unpaid (DDU) is an international trade term that holds the seller accountable for ensuring the safe delivery of goods to a specified destination, covering all transportation expenses and risks during transit. Once the goods arrive, the responsibility shifts to the buyer to pay import duties and any additional transport costs. In contrast, under [Delivered Duty Paid (DDP)](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/d/delivery-duty-paid.asp), it is the seller who covers duties, import clearance, and taxes.

### Key Takeaways

*   Delivered Duty Unpaid (DDU) specifies that the seller covers all transportation costs and risks until the goods reach their destination, after which the buyer is responsible for duties and further transport.
*   Despite not being part of the 2023 Incoterms, DDU is frequently used, but the official modern equivalent term is Delivered-at-Place (DAP).
*   The primary advantage of DDU is that it grants the buyer more control over the import process, although this can lead to unexpected customs duties and taxes upon arrival.
*   A key distinction between DDU and Delivered Duty Paid (DDP) lies in who bears the responsibility for import duties; under DDU, the buyer handles these costs, whereas, under DDP, the seller assumes this responsibility.
*   DDU shipping offers the seller a "hands-off" approach regarding the buyer's import process, but it may lead to customer dissatisfaction if surprise charges arise.

![Delivered Duty Unpaid](https://www.investopedia.com/thmb/WWMNN-8S5GG3rsFobxcXG_eLntc=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/delivereddutyunpaid-Final-5ceee2406b3a4fb0b9a75a71589529ca.jpg)

*— Investopedia / Zoe Hansen*

## How Delivered Duty Unpaid (DDU) Works in International Trade

The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) was originally formed after World War I to foster prosperity in Europe by setting standards for international trade. This group published a set of standardized terms for types of shipping agreements in 1936, known as Incoterms.

Incoterms specify which party bears the costs and risks in [international transactions](https://www.investopedia.com/insights/what-is-international-trade/) and can be updated by the ICC. The ICC standardizes terms to simplify the legal and logistical complexities of international shipping.

> **Important**
>
> The 2023 Incoterms revision is available for purchase directly from the site.

Delivered Duty Unpaid (DDU) is not part of the ICC's 2023 [Incoterms](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/i/incoterms.asp) edition. The official term that best describes the function of DDU is now "[Delivered-at-Place (DAP)](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/d/delivered-place-dap.asp)."

DDU is still commonly used in international trade parlance, however. The term is followed by the location of delivery on paper, such as "DDU: Port of Los Angeles."

### DPU Shipping

With Delivered at Place Unloaded (DPU), the seller must also unload the goods at the destination.

## Seller and Buyer Responsibilities Under DDU Terms

The seller secures licenses and takes care of other formalities involved in exporting a good according to DDU arrangements. The seller handles licenses, costs in transit countries, and provides the invoice.

The seller assumes all risk until the goods are delivered to the specified location but it has no obligation to obtain insurance on the goods. 

The buyer is responsible for obtaining all necessary licenses for importing the goods and paying all relevant taxes, [duties](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/d/duty.asp), and inspection costs. All risks involved in this process are borne by the buyer. All further transportation costs and risks fall on the buyer when the goods are placed at the disposal of the buyer.

## Comparing Delivered Duty Unpaid (DDU) and Delivered Duty Paid (DDP)

Delivered Duty Unpaid (DDU) means that it's the customer's responsibility to pay for any of the destination country's customs charges, duties, or taxes. These must all be paid for customs to release the shipment after it arrives.

Delivered Duty Paid (DDP) means that it's the shipper's responsibility to pay any of the customs charges, duties, and/or taxes that are required to send the product to the destination country.

## Pros and Cons of Delivered Duty Unpaid (DDU) Shipping

The main benefit of DDU is that it gives buyers more control over shipping processes. Having a higher degree of control over the process can be paramount for global buyers looking to keep a consistent flow of inventory.

With DDU, buyers can better control costs and track shipments, as they are familiar with their country's shipping customs.

DDU allows sellers a "hands-off" approach regarding the destination country’s shipping rules. The seller is simply responsible for getting the cargo to its destination where the buyer can handle all the legal complications.

A major disadvantage is surprise duties or taxes for buyers when shipments arrive. That's a big negative for buyers but it's not ideal for shippers either because disgruntled customers may refuse to pay for their parcel to be delivered.

## Is DDU Shipping or DDP Shipping Better?

There are pros and cons to each method of shipping. It ultimately boils down to what the buyer or receiver wants out of their shipping experience.

DDU is a good option if the receiver prioritizes control of the shipping process and doesn't mind the legal complications or surprise charges that come with more control. But DDP is probably the way to go if a buyer wants a streamlined process without the possibility of any surprise charges.

## Who Is Responsible for DDU Shipments?

The seller is fully responsible for the delivery of the goods to the destination country under DDU shipping rules. The seller assumes all risks involved up to unloading. The buyer bears the risk and cost of the unloading.

## Is DAP the Same As DDU?

Delivered-at-Place (DAP) was introduced in 2010 to replace the term Delivered Duty Unpaid (DDU) so they're essentially the same.

## The Bottom Line

From the seller's perspective, DDU shipping provides the ability to take more of a "hands-off" approach when it comes to the destination country's shipping rules. The biggest problem for buyers in DDU shipping is the possibility of surprise duties and/or tax charges when their shipment finally arrives. The term "Delivered-at-Place (DAP) has been used in place of DDU since 2010. Look for this updated term if you have questions regarding shipments or deliveries.

> **Article Sources**
>
> 1.  International Chamber of Commerce. "[Incoterms Rules History](https://iccwbo.org/business-solutions/incoterms-rules/incoterms-rules-history/)."
>     
> 2.  International Trade Administration. "[Know Your Incoterms](https://www.trade.gov/know-your-incoterms)."
>     
> 3.  International Chamber of Commerce. "[Incoterms 2020](https://iccwbo.org/business-solutions/incoterms-rules/incoterms-2020/)." Select "Is the Incoterms rule DPU new?"
>     
> 4.  International Trade Administration. "[2.1 Delivery Methods](https://www.export.gov/article2?id=Delivery-Methods-ecommerce)."
>     
> 5.  International Chamber of Commerce. "[Incoterms Rules 2010](https://iccwbo.org/publication/incoterms-rules-2010/)."