DAP vs DPU: which Incoterm should you use?
DAP (Delivered At Place) versus DPU (Delivered At Place Unloaded) — who pays freight, where risk transfers, and what each choice does to your landed cost. Last reviewed 16 July 2026.
DAP and DPU both deliver to a named place; the difference is unloading — under DPU the seller unloads the goods, under DAP the buyer does.
DAP vs DPU at a glance
| Factor | DAP — Delivered At Place | DPU — Delivered At Place Unloaded |
|---|---|---|
| Group | D — Arrival | D — Arrival |
| Transport mode | Any mode | Any mode |
| Who pays main freight | Seller | Seller |
| Insurance obligation | No obligation on either party (seller carries risk to destination) | No obligation on either party (seller carries risk to destination) |
| Risk transfers | At the named place of destination, on the arriving vehicle ready for unloading | At the named place of destination, once goods are unloaded from the arriving vehicle |
| Export clearance | Seller | Seller |
| Import clearance | Buyer | Buyer |
| Best for | Delivered-to-door sales where the buyer clears import and pays duty and VAT | Deliveries where the seller can safely unload — the only rule requiring seller unloading |
Based on the Incoterms 2020 rules (ICC). Always confirm the exact obligations in your sales contract — as of 16 July 2026.
When to choose DAP
Choose DAP when the goods should arrive at the destination ready for unloading, but you (the buyer) will handle unloading — for example when you have your own forklift, dock or crane. Risk passes on the arriving vehicle before unloading, so the seller is not responsible for anything that happens as you take the goods off.
When to choose DPU
Choose DPU when you want the seller to unload at the destination as part of the delivery. DPU is the only Incoterm that requires the seller to unload, which suits sites without handling equipment or shipments where the seller controls the offloading. Risk passes only once the goods are safely unloaded, so the seller carries the unloading risk.
What it does to your landed cost
The cost difference is the unloading operation and its risk — small for palletised goods, significant for heavy or awkward cargo needing special equipment. Neither term changes who clears import: under both, the buyer is importer of record and pays duty and import VAT on a customs value they control (recoverable or postponed via PVA if VAT-registered). Model the delivered cost, including any unloading charge, in the calculator to see the true per-unit landed figure.
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