Key takeaways
- Door-to-door describes physical movement; Incoterms allocate commercial responsibilities.
- DDU is widely used commercially but is not a current ICC Incoterm.
- The written quotation must state duties, taxes, customs and delivery exceptions.
Scope note: This article provides general planning guidance. Carrier acceptance, customs, compliance, price and timing must be confirmed for the actual shipment.
Door delivery is not automatically DDP
A shipment may move from a China supplier to a final address while the buyer still remains responsible for import duties, taxes or importer obligations. Physical scope and commercial responsibility must be reviewed separately.
- Ask who is the importer of record.
- Confirm whether duties and taxes are included or excluded.
- State the exact delivery address and unloading requirements.
DDP, DAP and the use of DDU
DDP places the broadest import responsibility on the seller under the Incoterms structure, subject to a compliant local arrangement. DAP delivers to the named place with import duties normally remaining with the buyer. DDU is an older term still used operationally to describe duties-unpaid delivery.
- Use the exact quoted term and written inclusions.
- Do not assume a DDP service is available for every product or country.
- Review importer, tax and product eligibility before booking.
Exceptions still matter
Inspections, storage, customs reassessment, remote-area delivery, appointments, failed delivery and specialist unloading may remain outside a door-delivery quote.
- Read inclusions and exclusions together.
- Provide accurate values and product descriptions.
- Keep destination contact and clearance documents ready.