What is DDP shipping.
DDP shipping, Delivered Duty Paid, means the seller delivers to your door with transport, customs and import duty all paid. It is the term that puts the most work on the seller. This page explains what it covers under Incoterms 2020, what it leaves to you, and how it compares with the other common terms.
The short answerDDP means Delivered Duty Paid. The seller arranges transport to your named address, clears export and import, and pays the import duty. Delivery happens when the goods arrive ready for unloading, and the buyer does the unloading.
What the seller covers, and what you cover
| Step | Who does it under DDP |
|---|---|
| Export clearance | Seller |
| Main freight, by sea or air | Seller |
| Import clearance | Seller |
| Import duty and tariffs | Seller |
| Import VAT or GST | Seller, unless the contract excludes it |
| Unloading at your address | Buyer |
Risk passes to you when the goods arrive at the named place, ready to unload. Until then, the seller carries any loss or damage on the way.
DDP compared with DAP, FOB and EXW
| Term | Delivered to | Import duty paid by |
|---|---|---|
| EXW, Ex Works | Collected at the seller's premises | Buyer |
| FOB, Free On Board | On board the ship at the port of loading | Buyer |
| DAP, Delivered At Place | Your named address, ready to unload | Buyer |
| DDP, Delivered Duty Paid | Your named address, ready to unload | Seller |
The International Chamber of Commerce calls EXW and DDP the two extremes. Under EXW the buyer does almost everything, and under DDP the seller does almost everything.
The current rules are Incoterms 2020. The ICC has begun the 2030 revision, with a launch planned for late 2029.
How we ship
To Europe, the United States, Canada, Australia and the GCC, we deliver to your door with duty paid. The price on your quote is the price you pay, and nothing arrives with a customs bill attached.
The one exception is paper bags with handles into the US. They carry extra US import duties, so we quote them with those duties shown. Everywhere else the terms are quoted country by country before you confirm. Transit times are on the shipping page.
Questions
What does DDP stand for?
Delivered Duty Paid, one of the eleven Incoterms 2020 rules published by the International Chamber of Commerce.
Does DDP include VAT?
Under DDP the seller pays the duties and taxes due on import, import VAT included, unless the contract excludes it. A quote marked DDP excluding VAT leaves the VAT to you.
Does DDP include unloading?
No. The goods are delivered ready for unloading, and the buyer unloads them at the address.
What is the difference between DDP and DAP?
The delivery point is the same: your named address. Under DAP you clear import and pay the duty. Under DDP the seller does both.
Do you ship DDP?
To Europe, the United States, Canada, Australia and the GCC, yes. Paper bags with handles into the US are quoted with their extra import duties shown.
Written by the Bag Bureau production team. Last updated October 2026.