What are the differences between DAT and DAP Incoterms?

DAT and DAP are two new international commercial terms, which have been introduced to the foreign trade world with the publication of Incoterms 2010 rules. 

Before January 1, 2011, which is the effectiveness date of Incoterms 2010, there were no incoterms called DAT or DAP.

Today I want to mention the differences between DAT Incoterms and DAP Incoterms according to latest ICC rules of international commercial terms.
 




First of all let me make the definitions of both trade terms according to current incoterms rules:
  • Definition of DAT according to Incoterms 2010: “Delivered at Terminal” means that the seller delivers when the goods, once unloaded from the arriving means of transport, are placed at the disposal of the buyer at a named terminal at the named port or place of destination.
  • Definition of DAP according to Incoterms 2010: “Delivered at Place” means that the seller delivers when the goods are placed at the disposal of the buyer on the arriving means of transport ready for unloading at the named place of destination.
Secondly I would like to bring your attention to similarities of these two incoterms article by article as follows:
  • Both DAT and DAP could be used with any mode of transport including multimodal carriage. 
  • Exporter must clear goods for export custom formalities under both incoterms. 
  • Under DAT and DAP incoterms, import custom clearance has to be made by the importer. 
  • Exporter delivers goods to the importer not in his country but, in most cases, within a pre-determined place at the importer's country. As a result these two incoterms are known as sale on arrival incoterm.
Now I can specify the differences between DAT incoterms and DAP incoterms in regards to Incoterms 2010 rules.

Differences between DAT and DAP:
Delivery Place
  • Under DAT incoterms delivery place must be a terminal. Incoterms 2010 rules defines terminal as follows: “Terminal” includes any place, whether covered or not, such as a quay, warehouse, container yard or road, rail or air cargo terminal.
  • Under DAP incoterms delivery place could be any place, which is located further deep in the arriving country comparing the terminal as described in DAT incoterms.
Unloading of the goods from the means of conveyance
  • Under DAT incoterms exporter must be unloading the goods from the arriving means of conveyance at the terminal at the named port or place of destination.
  • Under DAP incoterms importer must be unloading the goods from the arriving means of conveyance at the named place of destination.