# DDP and DAP for Ecommerce Shipping

> Choose and disclose who handles import clearance, duties and taxes under the agreed international delivery arrangement.

- Type: Merchant guide
- Level: Intermediate
- Reading time: About 4 minutes
- Audience: Written for store owners, builders, and designers refining high-performance ecommerce stores.
- Last updated: 2026-11-04
- Canonical page: https://academy.getzenbasket.com/merchant-questions/ddp-and-dap-for-ecommerce-shipping/
- Part of: [Merchant Questions](https://academy.getzenbasket.com/merchant-questions/) on ZenBasket Academy

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## What you need to know

### What does DDP mean in ecommerce shipping?

DDP means Delivered Duty Paid under Incoterms 2020: the seller bears the stated delivery obligations and handles import clearance and import duties or taxes under the rule.

### What does DAP mean?

DAP means Delivered at Place: the seller delivers to the named destination, while the buyer handles import formalities and associated import duty and tax.

### DDP vs DAP: what's the difference?

Under DDP, the seller handles import clearance and import charges; under DAP, the buyer handles them. Both require a named destination and careful confirmation that the chosen party can legally perform its obligations.

### Should ecommerce merchants use DDP?

Use DDP only when the merchant can support import registration or representation, classification, landed-cost calculation, carrier process, and reconciliation. Customer convenience does not remove seller complexity.

### How does DDP affect checkout pricing?

DDP pricing should include or clearly account for the merchant-paid duty, import tax, brokerage and related delivery costs before order placement. Reconcile estimates with actual import charges.

### Why are customers being asked to pay fees at delivery?

The shipment may be DAP or another duty-unpaid arrangement, or the declared value and charges may differ from the checkout expectation. Review the order promise, customs entry and carrier invoice.

### A quick store check

Compare one DDP and one DAP checkout and verify the customer sees who pays import charges before purchase.

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## Frequently asked questions

### Is DDP always better for conversion?

It can reduce surprise, but only if the merchant can lawfully and accurately execute it.

### Can DAP be described as free of extra charges?

No. The buyer may owe import duty, tax or handling before delivery.

## Related articles

- **Ecommerce Duties and Customs**
- **International Ecommerce Addresses**