DDP or DAP: decide who owns the import entry

The difference is not a line on the invoice. It is who becomes the importer of record, who answers to customs, and who can authorise release when the container arrives.

DAP in practice

The seller arranges carriage to the named place, while the buyer handles the import entry, duties and taxes. It gives the importer control over its broker and its customs record, but it also means the buyer must be ready before arrival.

DDP in practice

The seller takes responsibility through to delivery including import formalities. That requires a reliable importer-of-record structure at destination. If the quote does not say who that is, the arrangement is fragile: cargo can sit at the terminal while two parties assume the other filed the entry.

We put the responsible entity, the broker and the duty treatment in writing before a DDP booking is confirmed.

Questions to settle before booking

Who is the importer of record? Who pays duties and any applicable taxes? Who authorises the release order? Who receives the entry documents for accounting? If any answer is "we assumed the forwarder", stop and rewrite the quote.

• Importer of record entity and its registration
• Broker appointment and document delivery deadline
• Responsibility for duties, taxes and examination fees
• Insurance and title transfer at the handover point