CartonMath

DAPDelivered at Place

DAP (Delivered at Place) means the seller delivers when the goods arrive at the named destination, ready for unloading on the arriving vehicle; the seller carries the risk and cost to that point, and the buyer unloads, clears import and pays duties and taxes. It works for any mode.

Summarised from the Incoterms® 2020 rules. Not legal advice.Updated

Where DAP hands over

The orange marker is where risk passes to the buyer. Blue bars are the seller's, yellow the buyer's.

Seller'spremisesExportclearanceOriginterminalPort ofshipmentMaincarriageDestinationportImportclearanceNamedplaceRiskSellerBuyerTransport costsSellerBuyerCustomsExport: sellerImport, duties: buyerRisk passes here

DAP at a glance

Transport
Any modeIncluding containers and multimodal
Risk passes
Arrived at destination
Main carriage
Seller paysand arranges the contract
Insurance
No obligationthe party at risk usually insures
Delivery point
At the named place of destination, on the arriving means of transport, ready for unloading.
DAP responsibilities
JobWho
Export clearanceSeller
Loading at originSeller
Main carriageSeller
InsuranceNo obligation
Unloading at destinationBuyer
Import clearance and dutiesBuyer

When to use DAP

Use DAP when

  • The seller controls delivery to the buyer's door or site
  • The buyer handles import clearance and duties
  • Any mode of transport

Avoid DAP when

  • The seller must also unload (use DPU)
  • The buyer is often slow to clear import
  • The delivery address is not precise

Common DAP mistakes

Unloading is the buyer's

DAP stops before unloading. If the seller must unload, use DPU.

Import delays

If the buyer is slow to clear import, demurrage and storage costs build up. The contract should say who pays them.

A precise address

Name the exact delivery point; 'DAP Germany' leaves the delivery point and the risk point undefined.

DAP beside its neighbours

DDP adds import clearance, duties and taxes to the seller's side. Read about DDP.

CIPCarriage and Insurance Paid ToRisk passes: handed to carrierDAPDelivered at PlaceRisk passes: arrived at destinationDPUDelivered at Place UnloadedRisk passes: unloaded at destination
Previous ruleCIP, Carriage and Insurance Paid ToNext ruleDPU, Delivered at Place Unloaded

All eleven rules

E rulesDeparture
EXWEx WorksAny mode of transport
F rulesMain carriage unpaid
FCAFree CarrierAny mode of transportFASFree Alongside ShipSea and inland waterwayFOBFree On BoardSea and inland waterway
C rulesMain carriage paid
CFRCost and FreightSea and inland waterwayCIFCost, Insurance and FreightSea and inland waterwayCPTCarriage Paid ToAny mode of transportCIPCarriage and Insurance Paid ToAny mode of transport
D rulesArrival
DAPDelivered at PlaceAny mode of transportDPUDelivered at Place UnloadedAny mode of transportDDPDelivered Duty PaidAny mode of transport

Incoterms® is a registered trademark of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC). CartonMath is not affiliated with or endorsed by the ICC. This is a plain-language summary; the full rules are published by the ICC and the contract wording governs.

Common questions

What does DAP mean?

DAP (Delivered at Place) means the seller delivers when the goods arrive at the named destination, ready for unloading on the arriving vehicle; the seller carries the risk and cost to that point, and the buyer unloads, clears import and pays duties and taxes. It works for any mode.

When does risk pass under DAP?

At the named place of destination, on the arriving means of transport, ready for unloading.

Who pays the main freight under DAP?

The seller arranges and pays the main carriage.

Who pays import duties under DAP?

The buyer clears the goods for import and pays any duties and taxes under DAP.

Can DAP be used for container shipments?

Yes. DAP works for any mode of transport, including containers and multimodal shipments.

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