DDP vs DAP: who clears the goods and pays?
Under standard DDP, the seller handles import clearance and bears import duties and taxes; under DAP, those responsibilities fall to the buyer. Check the actual contract and logistics offer: paying a carrier bill is different from filing a declaration yourself.
Ask about the quote scopeRead the contract and the logistics offer separately
Incoterms describe agreed responsibilities between seller and buyer at a named place. A logistics service label must be checked against the actual contract, importer arrangement and itemized quote.
DDU is an older term still used as an operational label. It does not, by itself, create a website option to clear customs yourself.
Keep these records together
Written quote
Named service, delivery place, included work, exclusions and any declared-value conditions.
Product and invoice
Accurate description, quantity, value, product restrictions and the ordinary trade documents requested for the shipment.
Importer and representative
Ask who is responsible for import formalities and whether a carrier or customs representative will act.
Payment request
Separate duties, VAT/GST and carrier or clearance-service fees; ask for the supporting explanation.
A quote may contain limits or separately charged items. If its DDP wording differs from the standard responsibility split, clarify the agreement before accepting it; do not assume every charge has disappeared.
Standard DDP and DAP responsibilities
| Question | DDP | DAP |
|---|---|---|
| Who handles export formalities? | DDPThe seller. | DAPThe seller. |
| Who is responsible for import formalities? | DDPThe seller under the standard rule. | DAPThe buyer under the standard rule. |
| Who bears import duties and taxes? | DDPThe seller under the standard rule. | DAPThe buyer under the standard rule. |
| Where does delivery take place? | DDPAt the named destination, cleared for import and ready for unloading. | DAPAt the named destination, ready for unloading. |
| Does this identify the actual customs agent? | DDPNo. Confirm the representative and practical arrangement. | DAPNo. Confirm the representative and practical arrangement. |
Ask what “customs clearance fees” covers
A carrier’s payment request can contain import taxes and a separate service charge. Ask for the breakdown instead of treating the entire bill as customs duty.
The amount and process depend on the shipment and destination. This guide does not supply a tax rate, exemption threshold or promise that a carrier will support self-clearance.
A UK payment notice: first identify who is filing
For a parcel sent to the UK, submitting an import declaration and paying a carrier bill are different steps. Ask the sender and the actual carrier what declaration arrangement applies and which details you must provide.
Any personal-declaration arrangement must be checked for the actual service and the relevant UK procedure. Choosing a DDU-labelled option does not activate self-clearance, and a tax payment is not evidence that you filed a declaration yourself.
Questions before shipping
Does paying the carrier mean I declared the goods myself?
No. Paying a carrier’s import-related bill and submitting an import declaration are different actions. For the actual shipment, ask who filed or will file the declaration and which part of the payment covers tax or service fees.
Does every JTLGO DDP offer include every possible charge?
Do not assume that from the label alone. Read the itemized offer, product eligibility, named destination and any value or service conditions. If the logistics wording differs from standard DDP responsibilities, ask JTLGO to clarify it before confirming.
Does a DDU-labelled service let me clear customs myself?
No. DDU is an older term that may appear as a tax-excluded service label. It does not establish that the carrier, destination procedure or JTLGO workflow supports personal customs filing. The actual arrangement must be confirmed.
Can DDP remove the need to declare restricted goods?
No. DDP does not remove the need for accurate descriptions, product documents, lawful import arrangements or restricted-goods review. Confirm product acceptance separately from taxes and freight charges.