Short answer: With DDP (Delivered Duty Paid), you pay import duties and taxes up front when you create your shipment. With DDU (Delivered Duty Unpaid), the person receiving the package pays them to the carrier on arrival. Whether DDP is offered depends on your destination and the carrier, so check the duty calculator and the options shown at checkout.
DDP and DDU at a glance
Import duties and taxes are charged by your destination country, not by us. DDP and DDU decide when and how they get paid.
| DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) | DDU (Delivered Duty Unpaid) | |
|---|---|---|
| Who pays duties and taxes | You, up front, with your shipment | The recipient, to the carrier |
| When you pay | When you create the shipment | When the package arrives in your country |
| At your door | No duty to pay on delivery | The carrier collects before releasing the package |
| Availability | Depends on destination and carrier | Available when DDP isn't |
"Door-to-door" delivery isn't the same thing as duties being paid. Only DDP covers duties and taxes before delivery.
If you have shipping insurance, don't refuse a DDU package over the duty. If you refuse it, or just let it sit unclaimed, because you don't want to pay the duty, insurance no longer covers that shipment.
How to choose
You choose between DDP and DDU while you create your shipment in your account. The options you see depend on your destination and the carrier. If DDP isn't offered for that combination, you'll only see DDU.
Your choice can also affect transit time. Express services usually take 1–5 business days, and DDP or DDU can make that a little shorter or longer. The delivery estimate shown at checkout is the one to go by.
Where DDP is available
DDP availability varies by country and carrier, and it can change.
To check your destination:
- Use our duty calculator to estimate the duties and taxes for your items and country.
- Create your shipment and look at the options shown at checkout. If DDP is available for your destination and carrier, you'll see it there.
Our shipping calculator shows shipping costs only. Duties and taxes are estimated separately in the duty calculator. See "How import duties and taxes are calculated" for how they're worked out.
Asked to pay duties again on a DDP shipment?
If you paid duties with DDP and the carrier or customs asks you to pay again, contact our support team. After the necessary checks, we'll refund you.
When you write to us, it helps to include:
- Your outbound tracking number
- A copy or screenshot of the carrier's payment request, or the receipt if you've already paid
Our team will let you know if anything else is needed.
Common questions
What does DDP mean, and why would I pay for it if I already paid for shipping? Shipping covers getting the package to you. Duties and taxes are separate charges set by your country. DDP lets you pay them in advance so nothing is due at your door.
Why can't I see DDP for my country? DDP depends on the destination and the carrier, and it isn't offered everywhere. If you only see DDU at checkout, DDP isn't available for that combination right now.
Do you have a list of countries where DDP is available? Not at the moment. Check the duty calculator and the options shown at checkout for your destination.
The carrier is asking me to pay duty, but I chose DDP. What should I do? Contact our support team with your tracking number and the carrier's request. After our checks, we'll refund you.
With DDU, how will I know what to pay? The carrier contacts you or your recipient to collect duties and taxes before releasing the package. You can estimate the amount in advance with our duty calculator.
Still need help?
Our support team is available on weekdays from 09:00 to 17:00 ET at [email protected].