Alibaba DDP Shipping

DDP shipment is a common shipping method for delivering goods to a foreign country. So, many Amazon sellers like shipping products from Chinese suppliers via DDP.

But, many Chinese suppliers understand the Delivery Duty Paid (DDP) term differently.

Under Alibaba DDP shipping, the seller controls the shipping costs to increase profits. It is crucial to research the suppliers and know the final price for shipping before you proceed. You can reduce risks and issues like delays in your international trade.

This article will share everything about Delivered Duty Paid (DDP) shipping. Let’s get rolling.

What is DDP?

Delivered Duty Paid (DDP) shipping is a delivery agreement for international trade. It establishes the seller’s maximum responsibility and the buyer’s minimum import responsibilities.

In a DDP shipping agreement, the Alibaba suppliers must ship goods to the buyer’s destination country. The services include inland transportation from the destination port to the buyer’s premises. 

The seller delivers to the importing country and pays all the DDP shipment costs. For instance, import duties, fees for clearance customs, and other shipping expenses. 

“DDP identified place of destination” will appear in a DDP transaction. For example, if the DDP shipment is from Los Angeles to Shanghai, the DDP incoterms would be “DDP, Shanghai.”

Why and why not choose DDP as the Alibaba shipping method 

DDP shipping allows little responsibility on buyers until the products are entirely delivered. This shipment option is ideal for buyers and Alibaba suppliers due to several reasons:

• It helps inexperienced buyers in the shipping process
• It allows hassle-free shipping options for buyers
• It assists buyers who have not yet built partnerships or do not import frequently
• It provides complete control over shipping costs for seasoned sellers
• It gives Alibaba suppliers shipping options with the highest price to increase their profits

But, more experienced buyers will not prefer DDP shipping. It is because of the reasons below:

• DDP shipping is less cost-effective to import goods for both sellers and buyers
• These sellers have many responsible agents to handle the buyer’s expectations
• DDP is less ideal for sea freight. It is usually used for air express or parcel transportation.

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How much does DDP cost buyers and Who pays freight on DDP?

In Delivered Duty Paid (DDP) shipping, the supplier takes responsibility for all transportation costs. 

These landed costs include customs clearance fees, import duties, inspection costs, and VAT. In essence, the seller incurs all the costs related to the delivery process.

DDP shipments only require buyers to pay for fees related to offloading the products.

The DDP shipping costs should not be 40% higher than the FOB price. Otherwise, a buyer should consider using his own freight forwarder with the FOB term.

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How to find a reliable DDP service?

Delivered Duty Paid (DDP) shipments vary by the shipping company. Yet, DDP shipping is fairly simple.

Note that some freight forwarders may not allow shipping DDP. Besides, the freight forwarder that does may refer to it by another term. 

Let’s look at the channels to find shipping companies that provide DDP shipping services. 

1. Use the Search Engine 

You can use search engines like Google or Baidu to look for a shipping company. You can search the terms like “DDP service provider” to visit their websites or social media.

Here are the most well-known shipping companies that can fulfill your DDP shipping needs:

• DHL Express

This courier company bills the sender for the DDP shipping costs paid upon shipment arrival. For instance, the administration fees, import taxes, and customs duties paid.

• UPS Courier Company

It permits the shipper, receiver, or a third party to be billed for import and customs duties. The freight cost and taxes paid are usually billed to the receiver.

• FedEx Courier Company

You can charge transportation costs to the recipient or sender via FedEx. There is no DDP shipping fee from FedEx in the US, if you’re going to ship from China to the USA, You have to alter your option.

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2. Get Recommendation by Acquaintances

Asking for recommendations from your contacts is another way to reach DDP service providers. These business contacts include your suppliers, business partners, or others. 

3. Hire a Sourcing Agent

Sourcing agents could help find good shipping companies too. They are often experienced in the sourcing, inspection, clearing customs, and shipping process. 

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4. Search on Alibaba

There’re various DDP suppliers on Alibaba, all of them are verified so it’s more reliable to find suppliers online directly.

Notably, Alibaba sets up a strong security system and dispute procedure, it protects you against more scams during deals with the DDP suppliers.

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DDP Agreement: Buyers and Sellers Responsibilities

Buyer’s Responsibilities

• Except for receiving the products, the buyer is not liable for any process in shipping DDP.
• The unloading procedure is a part of receiving the items. These unloading fees are the buyer’s responsibility. So, buyers should note these expenses, especially when shipping goods to fulfillment warehouses. 
• The buyer must know that DDP shipping only covers several costs. For instance, shipping expenses, import and export duties, and taxes. The buyer bears any additional costs.

Seller’s Responsibilities

Meanwhile, beyond the delivery of finished items, the seller’s responsibilities include:

• Establishing sales contract and all the documentation related to shipping
• Complying with regulations related to the export and import process
• Correct taxes payment for export and import clearance
• Actual shipping costs, including final delivery to an agreed location.
• All government inspection expenses.
• Proof of delivery.
• Bearing the risk of damage or loss during shipping

Overall, DDP shipping means that the seller bears the expense and risk of the transaction. The seller provides essential door-to-door shipping under Delivered Duty Paid (DDP) shipping. 

The supplier is responsible for all fees for shipping goods to the destination country. He should clear customs in both the export port and the destination port.

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DDP vs. DAP

DAP shipping stands for Delivered At Point. The seller is liable for all costs and hazards from shipping goods to the final location. 

DAP is different from DDP in that the buyer has to handle customs clearance, tariffs, and taxes under DAP. But, under DPP, the supplier needs to clear the products and pay the import duties and taxes.

DAP is more beneficial for goods transit when there is no need to clear goods at borders or customs.

One of the advantages of DDP for buyers is that the sellers handle all the paperwork. With DAP, buyers are responsible for a lot more paperwork.

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FAQs about Alibaba DDP

What to do Next

DDP (Delivery Duty Paid) shipping is one of the most common trade terms to ship globally. It assumes maximum responsibility, costs, and risks on the suppliers. Most sellers only ship DDP when using air freight or sea freight. 

Buyers will benefit highly in DDP with less liability, risks, and costs. But, keep in mind that some freight forwarders offer unreasonably low delivery charges. These cases will mostly turn out to be scams.

I hope this article shares valuable information you need about DDP shipping. You can also contact us at Leeline Sourcing for more shipping information.