DAP and DPU

This post was reviewed in July 2026 and updated with more current resources.

C J International is a full-service Customs broker and Freight Forwarder. Check out our full blog series on the Incoterms® Rules, helping importers and exporters understand international trade terms.

Meaning of Delivered at Place (DAP) and Delivered at Place Unloaded (DPU)

DAP and DPU are nearly identical terms.

Under DAP, risks and costs are the responsibility of the seller up to the delivery/arrival of the goods at the agreed destination, ready to be unloaded. It is crucial that the buyer and seller specify the destination clearly, as arrival at this destination transfers the shipment from the seller’s responsibility to the buyer’s responsibility.

Under DPU, risks and costs are the responsibility of the seller up to the delivery/arrival AND unloading of the goods at the agreed destination. It is crucial that the buyer and seller specify the destination clearly, as arrival at this destination transfers the shipment from the seller’s responsibility to the buyer’s responsibility.

The Difference between DAP and DPU

The difference between DAP and DPU is that under DPU, the seller must also arrange for the unloading of the goods at the agreed destination, and is responsible for all costs and risks up until that point.

Example of DAP vs. DPU

The buyer is a shoe retailer based in Houston TX, purchasing $5000 in leather shoes from 123 Shoe Manufacturer in London, UK. The buyer and seller agree upon a final destination of the buyer’s warehouse in Houston, TX.

If the terms are DAP Houston, the seller must arrange for and pay the cost of carriage to Houston, as well as arrange delivery of the leather shoes to the buyer’s warehouse as the named place of destination. Upon arrival at the warehouse, responsibility transfers from the seller to the buyer.

If the terms are DPU Houston, the seller will also be responsible for unloading the goods at the buyer’s warehouse, and assumes all risks and costs involved.

More Resources on the Incoterms® Rules

The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) has provided a helpful illustration of the Incoterms® Rules that you can download for free. It shows how in working down the list of terms, risk progressively changes from the buyer’s responsibility to the seller’s responsibility. They also provide a downloadable checklist and flowchart.

The Incoterms® Rules consist of 11 trade terms, which are divided into two groups.

This blog series is intended to be a helpful introduction to international trade terms, not a comprehensive resource. C J International recognizes that the ICC is the only official source of definitions and explanations surrounding the Incoterms® Rules, and encourages our clients and the shipping community to consult iccwbo.org and their educational materials for further details. 

Incoterms® and the Incoterms® 2020 logo are trademarks of ICC.  Use of these trademarks does not imply association with, approval of or sponsorship by ICC unless specifically stated above.  The Incoterms® Rules are protected by copyright owned by ICC.  Further information on the Incoterms® Rules may be obtained from the ICC website iccwbo.org.