DAF (Delivered At Frontier) The Shipper is responsible for clearing the goods for export and for delivering the goods to a named point and place at the frontier, before reaching the Customs border of the destination country. Because the term can refer to any frontier, including the country of export, it is important to be clear in naming a specific frontier point and place.

Dangerous Goods Articles or substances which are capable of posing a significant risk to health, safety or property when transported by air or sea.

DDC Destination Delivery Charge.

DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) The Shipper is responsible for the goods until they are made available to the Buyer at the named place in the destination country. The Shipper assumes all risks and costs including import licenses, duties, taxes and other Customs charges necessary to clear the goods through the import process. This term should not be used if the Shipper is unable to obtain the necessary import licenses or other import documents.
NOTE: If the Shipper agrees to exclude some of the import related costs, the limited obligation should be made clear by adding specific responsibility, such as “duty unpaid, VAT paid” or other agreed upon terms.
NOTE: If the Buyer has responsibilities for all import charges, the alternative DDU term should be used instead.

DDU (Delivered Duty Unpaid) The Shipper is responsible for the goods until they are made available to the Buyer at the named place in the destination country. The Shipper has responsibility for all costs in export and in transporting the goods to that point. The Buyer has responsibility for all duties, risks, taxes and other charges involved in importing the goods.
NOTE: If the Shipper agrees to accept responsibility for any of the import-related costs, the additional obligation should be made clear by adding specific responsibility, such as “duty unpaid, VAT paid” or other agreed upon terms.

Declared Value The value of a shipment as declared by the shipper, used to determine the value for duty and carrier liability.

Delivery Order Document issued by the carrier / agent as authority to release the cargo.

Demurrage A charge for storage of incoming merchandise / container beyond the free time period allotted by a company or CFS.

DEQ (Delivered Ex Quay or Duty Paid) The Shipper is responsible for clearing the goods for import and until the goods are made available to the Buyer on the quay or wharf (see definition of Quay at FAS) of the destination port. Unless stated differently, the Shipper has responsibility for all duties, taxes and other costs in delivering the goods.
NOTE: If the Buyer is to be responsible for clearing the goods for import and for paying the import duties, the term “Duty Unpaid” should be used instead of “Duty Paid.”
NOTE: If other charges, such as Value Added Taxes, are to be excluded from the Shipper’s responsibility, the terms should be clarified by adding “VAT unpaid” to the DEQ designation. (This term can only be used for water transport).

DES (Delivered Ex Ship) The Shipper is responsible for all risk and costs of the goods until the goods are turned over to the Buyer on board the vessel. The Buyer is responsible for all risks and costs in bringing the goods to the destination port and in clearing the goods for import. (This term can only be used for water transport).

Destination The location to which a shipment is being delivered.

DG Dangerous Goods.

Dimensional Weight The weight calculated by measuring the Length x Width x Height of a package.

Draft Sometimes called a Bank Draft Bill of Exchange, the Draft is a negotiable instrument which contains an order to pay. It must be signed by the drawer (seller) and be payable at sight or by a certain time. The Draft must contain an unconditional order to pay a certain sum of money to the drawee (buyer). Drafts are used in both collection and Letter of Credit methods of payment.

Dutiable Those goods which are subject to duty as per each nation’s Customs regulation.

Duty A tax imposed by a government on merchandise imported from another country.

Duty Drawback A refund of duty paid on imported merchandise when it is later exported.