Zero hassle
Clearance, exam, delivery all handled — you just receive and verify. Our US-side broker follows through, so inspections don't panic you.
DDP vs DDU: One Word, Big Difference in Duty & Clearance
A side-by-side table: who pays duty, who clears, who carries the risk — picking wrong costs you money and clearance headaches.
DDP vs DDU at a Glance
We specialize in DDP (tax-included door-to-door); DDU clients can buy segments as needed.
| Compare | DDP (tax-included door-to-door) | DDU / DAP (duty unpaid) |
|---|---|---|
| Duty payment | Paid by seller / freight forwarder: duty is built into the door-to-door price, settled at the actual amount assessed by US Customs | Paid by buyer at delivery: duty is charged as assessed — you only learn the exact figure after arrival |
| Customs clearance | Handled by our US-side customs broker (in-house / partner); importer status and declaration handled for you | Handled by buyer or their own broker; you need US customs capability / importer status |
| Inspection risk | Broker follows through end-to-end; exam costs caused by our declaration errors are covered per contract (cargo defects excluded) | Buyer manages exam communications; exam and detention costs are on the buyer |
| Cost structure | Transparent door-to-door total: ocean freight + clearance + delivery, duty at actual assessed amount, no hidden fees (per official quote) | Quotes often cover ocean freight only: destination charges / clearance / duty / delivery handled item by item — "extras after quote" are common |
| Best for | Importers without US clearance capability, oversized platform sellers, Chinese factories that want clearance fully outsourced | Professional buyers with their own US broker / importer status who want to control the clearance pace |
| Hands-on work | Forwarder tracks everything: booking → clearance → delivery. Buyer only receives goods and checks invoices | Buyer arranges clearance and delivery after arrival (or hires another agent) |
Why More Importers Choose DDP
Predictable cost
One transparent door-to-door total, duty at the actual assessed amount. No surprises after arrival — calculate first, ship second.
Compliant declaration
True declaration + deferred duty + customs bond. No under-declaring, no transshipment tricks — the money we save you is legally saved.
FAQ
Is DDP always more expensive than DDU?
Look at the total bill. DDU looks cheaper on paper, but duty at assessment + exam fees + your own clearance and delivery effort only show up later. DDP gives you a transparent door-to-door total and predictable cost (duty still at the actual assessed amount). For the same shipment we can quote both ways — ask us.
Is your DDP compliant?
Yes. True declaration + deferred duty + customs bond. No under-declaring, no transshipment circumvention; exam costs caused by our declaration errors are covered per contract. The industry's common "declare low" model is not what we do — tax saved by gambling ends up on the consignee.
I already have US clearance capability. Can I buy only ocean/delivery segments?
Yes. DDU/DAP clients can buy segments individually (ocean, clearance, delivery), each quoted separately with clear responsibility boundaries.
DDP for peace of mind, or DDU to save?
Let's lay both cost structures on the table before you decide — we'll quote either way.