Delivered at Place (DAP)
An Incoterm where the seller delivers goods to a named destination, ready for unloading. The buyer is responsible for import clearance, duties, and unloading.
Delivered at Place (DAP) means the seller handles everything up to delivering the goods to an agreed-upon destination in the buyer's country, but the buyer is responsible for import customs clearance, duties, taxes, and unloading. This sits between CIF (where risk transfers at origin) and DDP (where the seller handles everything including duties).
DAP is useful when you want the supplier to manage international shipping but you want to control the import customs process yourself. This makes sense when you have a customs broker you trust, when the goods require specific import procedures (like FDA prior notice for food-contact items), or when you want to ensure proper tariff classification to minimize duties.
The key distinction between DAP and DDP is who handles import customs. Under DAP, if your goods get held at customs due to documentation issues, that is your problem to solve. Under DDP, the seller would need to resolve it. For most importers, DAP offers a good balance: the supplier handles the logistics they are good at (export and shipping), while you control the regulatory aspects in your own country.
Why it matters
DAP works well when you want door-to-door logistics from your supplier but prefer to handle US customs clearance yourself through your own customs broker.
Practical Tip
DAP works well when you want door-to-door logistics from your supplier but prefer to handle US customs clearance yourself through your own customs broker.
You'll hear this when…
When requesting quotes
“"Please provide your best DAP price for 500 units shipped to Los Angeles."”
When reviewing shipping documents
“"The bill of lading shows the goods were transferred under Delivered at Place (DAP) terms at the port of Shenzhen."”
When negotiating payment
“"We'd like to confirm whether your quoted price is on Delivered at Place (DAP) basis before finalizing the purchase order."”
Related Terms
Delivered Duty Paid
DDPAn Incoterm where the seller bears all costs and risks of delivering goods to the buyer's named destination, including import duties and taxes.
Cost, Insurance, and Freight
CIFAn Incoterm where the seller pays for cost of goods, insurance, and freight to the named destination port. Risk transfers to the buyer once goods are loaded on the vessel at origin.
Free on Board
FOBAn Incoterm where the seller delivers goods on board the vessel at the named port of shipment. Risk transfers from seller to buyer once goods pass the ship's rail.
Incoterms
A set of 11 internationally recognized trade terms published by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) that define the responsibilities, costs, and risks between buyers and sellers in international transactions.
Customs Broker
A licensed professional authorized to clear goods through customs on behalf of importers. In the US, customs brokers must hold a federal license and are responsible for correctly classifying goods, calculating duties, and ensuring regulatory compliance.
This term appears in every Bottlecap report.
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