Ultimate Guides for DDP Shipping From China

What is DDP from China?

DDP is an abbreviation of Delivery Duty Paid. the seller delivers the goods to a place designated by the buyer’s country and pays import duties, including inland transportation from the point of entry to the buyer’s location.

Who is The Importer of Record on a DDP Shipment?

In DDP freight, the importer is recorded as the foreign shipper of the goods. For US example, Foreign shippers must obtain foreign entity customs bonds from US customs brokers through freight forwarders or surety companies (single or annual/continuous).

What are the responsibility of the seller under DDP Incoterms?

EXW (EX Works) represents the seller’s minimum obligation, and DDP represents the maximum obligation. The responsibility, cost, and risk all fall entirely on the shoulders of the seller.

The seller (exporter) is responsible for all costs involved in delivering the goods to the designated destination and clearing customs in the importing country.

The seller may also need to obtain import licenses, permits, or specific payment methods and customs. If the seller cannot obtain an import license, DDU (Delivered Duty Unpaid) shall be used instead of DDP (Delivered Duty Paid).

What are the responsibilities of the buyer under DDP Incoterms?

The buyer’s liability is minimal in a DDP shipping from China agreement. These are the unloaded goods at the pre-arranged transshipment point and their final destination. The buyer does not need to provide assistance or advice regarding import responsibilities or any other documents, and the buyer also does not accept any risks during transportation.

What are the benefits of sellers and buyers under DDP incoterms?

Seller’s Benefits

Like any general international trade terms in transportation where the seller controls the export of goods, the DDP allows the seller to control logistics costs and adjust them accordingly to maximize profits. It also allows the seller to choose which transportation service is willing to provide the largest profit for the contract.

Buyer’s Benefits

For inexperienced or busy buyers, the DDP shipping from China is numerous. Since the full responsibility for cargo transportation and paperwork mainly falls on the seller, the buyer can only focus on arranging sales. Before the goods arrive, the buyer enjoys a trouble-free situation because they have almost no responsibility.

DAP vs DDP shipping: how are these two differ?

DAP (Delivered At Point) is different from DDP. Under DAP, the buyer is responsible for customs clearance, duties, and taxes. Under DPP, the seller is obliged to clear the goods and pay import duties and taxes. DAP is more suitable for situations that do not require customs clearance at the border or customs during the import process.

What are the Risks of DDP Shipping from China?

  • Low-value customs declaration

If it is a small package, they can try to pass it through customs by placing a low value on the customs declaration form. If you are arrested by customs and asked for a tax, but you must pay the tax.

  • Wrong HTS Code

An HTS Code known as H.S. Coding or Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System is used by U.S. Customs to classify products using codes to determine the import duties and taxes. Some sellers will use the wrong H.S. code to lower the taxes and duties they have to pay. Be mindful of dealing with sellers because some offers might be too good to be true. There are many cases where buyers got in trouble when they used Alibaba DDP shipping.

For accounting purposes, the buyer needs the correct documentation and proof. If you have a wrong code stated in your Commercial Invoice, you cannot use this for your business tax declaration.

  • Hidden/additional charges

DDP shipping meaning Delivery Duty Paid shipping, is a method where the seller will cover the cost of VAT (Value Added Tax). VAT can be up to 20% of the item’s price plus duties. If there are VAT refunds, the buyer will receive them, but the seller must bear the cost.

Sellers usually increase the air or sea freight price that will pay for these taxes and customs duties. If the buyer agrees to this, the seller shall shoulder other hidden charges within the shipping process.

What are the advantages of hiring TJ China Freight As Your DDP agent?

TJ China Freight is one of the most reputable China freight forwarders providing sea freight, air freight, rail freight, ddp, ddu and more. TJ China freight’ expert team has rich experience in DDP, DDU from China and has got amounts of satisfied clients all over the globe for DDP shipping cases. You will get:

  • Reliable and hassle-free service

We will provide a hassle-free transportation solution in which the company in charge handles the end-to-end process. This includes picking up the shipment, performing quality control, handling all documentation, paying all applicable taxes and transport costs, and delivering it on time and safely to its destination.

  • 7*24 Hours Client Support

You will get all the necessary updates and answers to your queries from our team. It is our primary concern to provide support to your delivery needs.

  • Most Competitive Rates.

TJ will provide you with best rates without compromising in service.

DDP vs DDU: Shipping Incoterms Explained

Delivery Duty Paid (DDP)

In exporting, the seller enters into an agreement with the buyer to deliver the goods to the buyer's location overseas. Such agreements will specify the terms and conditions under which business will be conducted, especially those that will incur costs associated with the export of goods.
A very important point of the agreement is who will be responsible for paying duties and taxes at the port of destination.
A sale or purchase agreement is called Delivery Duty Paid (DDP) when it is agreed between the exporter and the importer that the former will pay all duties at the port of destination.

Seller's responsibility

In the DDP Shipping Agreement, the seller's responsibility to ensure successful delivery is:

  • Verify that all risks of loss or damage to the goods are financially covered up to the point of delivery.
  • Handle the export process at the point of shipment, complying with all required protocols, such as providing licenses and documentation as required for specific shipments.
  • To bear any costs of customs clearance at the place of delivery. If the product is taxed due to value fluctuation (VAT), the seller will also pay any additional tax.
  • Check that products and shipments arrive at international locations for proper termination of liability.
  • Take financial responsibility for shipping costs from the packing area to the point of delivery.
  • Organize and establish carrier connections with all shipping companies that assist in the delivery of goods.

Delivery Duty Unpaid (DDU)

The ICC stopped using the incoterm DDU in 2010, but it is still widely used. The ICC has officially replaced it with the Incoterm® rules DAP, which is delivered on site, but with the same trade rules as DDU.
DDU means that the buyer is responsible for paying any customs fees, duties or taxes in the country of destination. All these fees must be paid by customs to release the goods after the goods arrive at the pre-agreed location, such as the on-site delivery at Jebel Ali port. The seller is liable until the agreed point of delivery, at which stage the buyer is liable.

Seller's responsibility

DDU shipping and DDP shipping are very similar, but the biggest difference between the two is that the seller does not bear the economic responsibility after the goods arrive abroad. Some of the main responsibilities of the seller in DDU shipping services are:

  • Takes responsibility for providing permits, permits and documents required for delivery to Buyer's pickup location.
  • Ship the buyer's goods to the country of delivery.
  • All financial responsibility is assumed for any damage, theft or loss that occurs in the shipment prior to its arrival at the delivery destination.
  • Make sure that the buyer's goods arrive at the designated shipping location.
  • Pay shipping for any shipping charges related to labor and loading costs. This can also include purchasing insurance for the goods.
  • Provide buyers with the latest information on successful deliveries.

This type of agreement between buyer and seller is called Delivery Duty Unpaid (DDU). The International Chamber of Commerce has replaced Incoterm DDU with DAP (Delivered On Site) in its latest publication "Incoterms® 2020".

How to calculate DDU and DDP fees:

Fob amount. Plus: 1. All local charges at the export port 2. Sea freight (whether positive or negative) is the amount of cif. If you want ddu: plus the local charge at the destination port If you want ddp: plus the destination customs duties in port

Delivery on Place (DAP) and Delivery on Ground (DPU)

In the ICC's latest publication "Incoterms® 2020", the term DAP (Delivered On Site) has replaced DDU. Another important term that has been replaced is DAT (delivered at the terminal). DAT is replaced by DPU (Delivered at Place Unloaded), and the designated unloading location can be anywhere, not limited to the terminal.
DAP and DPU are two Incoterms® similar to DDU. DAP stands for Delivered at Place and DPU stands for Delivered at Place Unloaded. Under DAP, the buyer is responsible for paying duties and taxes and unloading.
The seller arranges the transportation and delivery of the goods to a pre-agreed location, ready for unloading. DAP can be used for any transport protocol.
In a DPU, the seller is responsible for delivery and unloading at the locations specified in the agreement between him and the buyer.