Delivered at Terminal (DAT) Incoterm Explained

There are 11 Incoterms, each playing a key role in defining the responsibilities of buyers and sellers in international trade. Among these, the DAT Incoterm is essential for establishing clear logistics boundaries, preventing confusion, and ensuring smoother, more efficient transactions. Understanding these terms helps businesses confidently navigate global trade, reducing risks and improving coordination.

This article will explain the definition of DAT, outline its key responsibilities, and explain how it streamlines shipping processes.

It will also clarify when the responsibility for goods transfers between buyer and seller and who is responsible for the goods once they are customs cleared.

What is DAT Incoterm?

DAT, or Delivered at Terminal, is one of the eleven Incoterms rules that define buyers’ and sellers’ responsibilities in international trade. Under this term, the seller is responsible for delivering the goods to a designated terminal in the buyer’s country.

The terminal specified in the contract can be a quay, warehouse, container yard, or any cargo terminal, including those for road, rail, or air transport. The seller is responsible for unloading the goods at the terminal, after which the responsibility and risk transfer to the buyer.

DAT Incoterm is often used for shipments to transport hubs such as seaports, airports, or rail terminals, where goods are delivered directly to the specified terminal. They provide clarity by clearly defining the point where the seller’s obligations end and the buyer’s begin.

DAT Incoterm Obligations

Under the DAT (Delivered at Terminal) Incoterm, the buyer and seller have clearly defined obligations to ensure a seamless transaction. These obligations outline responsibilities related to costs, risk, and handling at various stages of the shipment.

Seller’s Obligations

1. Delivery of Goods: The seller must deliver the goods to the named terminal in the buyer’s country, ready for unloading.
2. Transportation Costs: The seller is responsible for all costs associated with transporting the goods to the terminal, including freight charges.
3. Unloading: The seller is responsible for unloading the goods at the designated terminal.
4. Export Clearance: The seller must handle export customs clearance, including tariff-related processes and any associated documentation required in the exporter country.
5. Risk Management: The seller retains all risks until the goods are unloaded at the specified terminal.

Buyer’s Obligations

1. Import Formalities: The buyer is responsible for handling import customs clearance, including paying duties, taxes, and any other regulatory charges.
2. Post-Unloading Transport: The buyer must arrange and pay to transport the goods from the terminal to their final destination.
3. Risk After Unloading: The buyer assumes all risks for the goods once they are unloaded at the terminal.
4. Acceptance of Delivery: The buyer must be prepared to receive the goods at the named terminal and ensure compliance with any local regulations or requirements.

What was updated in Incoterms 2020?

The 2020 update to DAT Incoterms introduced significant changes aimed at improving flexibility and providing greater clarity in international trade.

Below are the key updates related to these changes:

Renaming of DAT to DPU (Delivered at Place Unloaded)

Reason for the Change

The term “terminal” in DAT was often misunderstood to mean that delivery could only take place at specific transport hubs, such as ports, airports, or rail terminals. To resolve this confusion, the rule was renamed DPU (Delivered at Place Unloaded), emphasizing that delivery can occur at any agreed location where the goods are unloaded—not just at a terminal.

Implication

The new name, DPU (Delivered at Place Unloaded), highlights the flexibility of the rule. It means the agreed delivery location can be any place where the goods can be unloaded, such as warehouses, distribution centers, or even the buyer’s premises. However, this is only valid if the seller agrees to handle the unloading of the goods as part of their responsibility.

Unchanged Responsibilities

While the name has changed, the responsibilities under this rule remain the same. The seller is still responsible for delivering the goods to the agreed location and unloading them. Once unloading is complete, the cost and risk transfer from the seller to the buyer. This continuity ensures that the parties understand their obligations clearly, with no shifts in liability or financial responsibility.

Practical Benefits

The renaming of DAT to DPU brings practical advantages by aligning the rule with real-world logistics practices. It provides greater flexibility, allowing deliveries to a broader range of locations, such as warehouses or the buyer’s facilities, rather than being limited to traditional transport hubs. This change also reduces confusion in contracts, making it clearer what qualifies as an acceptable delivery point and helping to avoid disputes.

When to use and not to use DAT?

The following table outlines the scenarios for when DAT Incoterm is best used and when other Incoterms like DAP or DDP might be more suitable. It helps clarify the seller’s responsibilities and logistics considerations for each situation.

Difference Between DAT vs DAP

The main difference between Delivered at Place and Delivered at Terminal Incoterms lies in the point of delivery and the allocation of responsibilities. The table below outlines these differences to provide a clearer understanding of each Incoterm’s application:

DAT vs other Incoterms

Incoterms outline the division of responsibilities between buyers and sellers in international shipments. The following section is a comparison of the key differences between DAT, DDP, DDU, and DAP:

DAT vs DDP (Delivered Duty Paid)

The key difference between DAT and DDP is the seller’s responsibility. In DAT, the seller delivers goods to a terminal in the buyer’s country and is responsible for transportation and unloading, but not import customs or duties. In DDP (Delivered Duty Paid), the seller covers all costs, including transportation, customs duties, taxes, and delivery to the buyer’s location. Risk in DAT transfers once goods are unloaded at the terminal, while in DDP, it transfers only when the goods reach the buyer’s premises.

DAT vs DDU (Delivered Duty Unpaid)

In DAT, the seller delivers goods to a terminal, handling transportation and unloading but not import customs or duties. In DDU (Delivered Duty Unpaid), the seller delivers goods to a specified location in the buyer’s country without clearing customs or paying import duties. Risk in DAT transfers after unloading at the terminal, whereas in DDU, it transfers when the goods reach the agreed-upon location. However, customs clearance is still the buyer’s responsibility.

DAP Incoterm:

In the DAP (Delivered at Place) term, the seller is responsible for delivering goods to a specified location in the buyer’s country, covering all transportation and export customs costs. The buyer handles import customs, duties, and unloading. Risk transfers when goods are made available for unloading at the agreed location.

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