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Understanding what DAP, DDP, or DPU means in a supplier quote is one of the first practical decisions that importers face. China remained Australia's largest import trading partner in 2024, accounting for more than 26% of Australia's total merchandise imports. Many of these shipments move via full container load (FCL), including stock purchased by small businesses importing from China for the first time. The Incoterm affects who manages customs clearance, who pays import duties and GST, and who carries delivery responsibility once the container arrives in Australia.
This guide explains the operational differences between DAP, DDP, and DPU, including unloading responsibility, customs obligations, and when each Incoterm suits an Australian buyer.
Compare FCL shipping rates from China across multiple carriers and book ocean freight through Couriers & Freight.
Get a Quote NowRequest an FCL quote from Couriers & Freight once you know which Incoterm your supplier is offering.
DAP, DDP, and DPU are Incoterms that require the seller to arrange and pay for the main international freight shipment from China to Australia.
Under DAP, the seller delivers the goods to a named destination in Australia, ready for unloading. Delivery responsibility ends once the shipment arrives at that location. The buyer handles unloading, Australian customs clearance, import duties, and GST through a licensed customs broker.
Under DPU, the seller delivers and unloads the goods at the agreed destination. Risk transfers to the buyer after unloading is complete. The buyer remains responsible for Australian customs clearance, import duties, and GST.
Under DDP, the seller assumes responsibility for transport, Australian customs clearance, import duties, and GST before delivery. The buyer typically receives the goods after customs clearance and manages unloading at the final destination.
Many consumer goods from China enter Australia at 0% customs duty under the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement (ChAFTA), provided the goods meet the Rules of Origin and the supplier provides a Certificate of Origin. Without ChAFTA eligibility, the standard MFN duty rate for general merchandise is typically 5%. Australia also applies 10% GST on all taxable commercial FCL imports.
DPU replaced DAT (Delivered at Terminal) under the Incoterms 2020 revision. The update expanded the delivery point beyond terminals to any named location, including warehouses and commercial premises.
All three Incoterms fall under Group D, meaning the seller pays to ship the cargo to Australia. The difference is how much control the buyer retains over unloading, customs clearance, and import cost management after arrival.
The right Incoterm depends on whether the buyer already has customs clearance support arranged locally and whether the receiving site can unload a full container safely.
DAP works best when the buyer already has customs clearance support and unloading equipment available at the delivery location. The buyer pays import duties and GST directly and manages customs clearance before delivery. This gives the buyer visibility over landed import costs instead of relying on supplier pricing.
DPU is practical when the supplier can arrange unloading at the Australian delivery point. Before agreeing to DPU, the buyer should confirm the unloading method and ensure the delivery site can safely accommodate the required equipment. The buyer remains responsible for Australian customs clearance, duties, and GST.
DDP suits buyers who want the supplier to manage customs clearance and import taxes. While this reduces operational involvement for the buyer, suppliers often increase pricing to cover customs risk and duty exposure. Freightos notes that duties, GST, and customs processing charges materially affect landed import costs for international shipments. Buyers who manage their own customs clearance under DAP usually retain more control over the final landed cost.
Once an Australian importer agrees to DAP or DPU terms with a Chinese supplier, they still need to organise ocean freight, Australian customs clearance, and local container delivery after arrival.
Couriers & Freight allows importers to compare FCL shipping rates from China across multiple carriers, book ocean freight, and track shipments through one platform. Customs clearance support is also available for importers who require assistance managing Australian import formalities.
Get an FCL quote for China ocean freight through Couriers & Freight.
Compare FCL shipping rates from China across multiple carriers and book ocean freight through Couriers & Freight.
Get a Quote Now
MHP
No Surcharge*
$16.50
$14
$15.50
$0
$15.50
$14.75
$0
$0
$0
$0
MHP Large Item
No Surcharge*
$16.50
$75
$62
$62
$60.10
$14.75
$0
$0
$0
$0
Residential Pickup
No Surcharge*
$6
$0
$9
--
$9
$10.60
$0
$0
$0
$38.50
Reidential pick up 30-99kgs
No Surcharge*
$63
$0
$9
$0
$9
$74.15
$20
Won't carry
Won't carry
$38.50
Residential pick up 100kgs+
No Surcharge*
$198
$0
$9
$0
$9
$158.87
$50
Won't carry
Won't carry
$38.50
Residential Delivery up to 29kgs
No Surcharge*
$6
$0
$9
--
$9.00
$10.60
$0
$0
$0
$38.50
Residential Delivery up 30-99kgs
No Surcharge*
$63
$0
$9
$0
$9
$74.15
$20
Won't carry
Won't carry
$38.50
Residential Delivery 100kgs+
No Surcharge*
$198
$0
$9
--
$9
$158.57
$50
Won't carry
Won't carry
$38.50
Tail Lift Pick up 50-99kgs Sydney / Melbourne
No Surcharge*
$45
$50-$250
$88
$88
$88
$44.07
$120
Won't carry
Won't carry
$61.50
Tail Lift Pick up 100-299kgs Sydney / Melbourne
No Surcharge*
$85
$50-$250
$88
$88
$88
$44.07
$120
Won't carry
Won't carry
$61.50
Tail Lift Pick up 300-499kgs Sydney / Melbourne
No Surcharge*
$120
$50-$250
$88
$88
$88
$44.07
$120
Won't carry
Won't carry
$61.50
Tail Lift Pick up 500kgs + Sydney / Melbourne
No Surcharge*
$250
$50-$250
$88
$88
$88
$44.07
$120
Won't carry
Won't carry
$61.50
Tail Lift Delivery 50-99kgs Sydney / Melbourne
No Surcharge*
$45
$50-$250
$88
$88
$88
$44.07
$120
Won't carry
Won't carry
$61.50
Tail Lift Delivery 100-299kgs Sydney / Melbourne
No Surcharge*
$85
$50-$250
$88
$88
$88
$44.07
$120
Won't carry
Won't carry
$61.50
Tail Lift Delivery300-499kgs Sydney / Melbourne
No Surcharge*
$120
$50-$250
$88
$88
$88
$44.07
$120
Won't carry
Won't carry
$61.50
Tail Lift Delivery 500kgs + Sydney / Melbourne
No Surcharge*
$250
$50-$250
$88
$88
$88
$44.07
$120
Won't carry
Won't carry
$61.50
Dead weight over 32KGS carton freight
No Surcharge*
$16.50
$75
$70
$70
$70
$14.75
$0
Won't carry
Won't carry
$0
Oversize Surcharge 1.20 - 1.54
No Surcharge*
--
$0
$0
$0
$0
$5.40
$10
$15
Won't carry
$0
Oversize Surcharge 1.55 - 1.85
No Surcharge*
$17
$20
$0
$0
$0
$11.93
$10
$15
Won't carry
$0
Oversize Surcharge 1.86 - 2.20
No Surcharge*
$37
$40
$0
$0
$0
$11.93
$10
Won't carry
Won't carry
$0
Pallet Surcharge
No Surcharge*
--
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
Won't carry
Won't carry
$0
Hand Unload Fee Carton
No Surcharge*
--
$0
$70
$70
$70
$47
$0
Won't carry
Won't carry
$61.50
Western Australia Regional Surcharge
No Surcharge*
%10
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
*Surcharges may apply to areas/deimensions not listed
**Prices correct of 16th September 2024
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