Delivered at Place (DAP)
The seller delivers when the goods are ready for unloading on the arriving vehicle at the destination, bearing all risk to that point; import clearance and duties are the buyer's.
Delivered at Place (DAP) means the seller delivers when the goods are placed at the buyer's disposal at the named destination, ready for unloading on the arriving means of transport (not yet unloaded). The seller bears all costs and risks of bringing the goods to the destination (including main carriage) but does not unload, and does not handle import clearance or duties. Import declaration, import taxes and everything after unloading are the buyer's.
DAP works for any mode and sits in the middle of the "delivered" terms: above CIF/CIP (the seller's risk extends to destination rather than ending at the carrier) and below DDP (which also has the seller clear imports and pay duty). Practical notes: under DAP the seller bears long-haul transit risk and should assess and insure it; pin the "destination" to a precise address and state who unloads (typically the buyer); and if the import country has clearance peculiarities, allocate in the contract the risk of demurrage/storage when the buyer cannot clear in time.
FAQ
- Under DAP, who handles import clearance and duties?
- The buyer. Under DAP the seller delivers once the goods are at the destination ready for unloading on the vehicle; import declaration, customs duty and import taxes are all the buyer's. If you want the seller to cover everything including import clearance and duty, use DDP.
- Under DAP, who pays for unloading?
- In principle the buyer unloads, because DAP delivery is "ready for unloading on the arriving vehicle" and excludes unloading. If the seller in fact arranges unloading, state the cost allocation in the contract to avoid disputes; if you want the seller to unload, consider DPU.
Related terms
Sources: https://iccwbo.org/business-solutions/incoterms-rules/incoterms-2020/