Duties-included shipping explained
Double clearance with duties included is the most common service on Africa routes. What it includes, how it differs from the trade term DDP, and the terms to confirm when signing.
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Double clearance, duties included, to the door means the logistics provider handles both the export clearance in China and the import clearance in the destination country, bundles the destination's import duties into the freight, and delivers straight to the consignee. It is a logistics service; DDP is a trade term between buyer and seller. The two are often used together, but they are not the same thing.
Information updated: 2026-10-03
What "double clearance", "duties included" and "to the door" each mean
- Double clearance: the Chinese export declaration plus the destination import clearance, both handled by the logistics provider.
- Duties included: destination import duty, VAT and similar taxes are included in the quote, so the consignee doesn't pay them separately.
- To the door: after clearance, delivery to the specified address, or self-pickup at the warehouse as agreed.
How it differs from DDP
| Double clearance, duties included, to the door | DDP (Incoterms® 2020) | |
|---|---|---|
| Nature | A service offered by a logistics provider | A trade term in a sales contract |
| Parties | Cargo owner and logistics provider | Seller and buyer |
| Who pays duties | The logistics provider, as quoted | The seller pays destination import duties and taxes |
| Typical use | An African buyer purchases in China and hires a logistics provider | A Chinese seller quotes a delivered price to an overseas buyer |
Advantages and things to watch
- Advantage: one all-in price and less back-and-forth; the consignee doesn't need clearance experience in the destination country.
- Watch one: ask exactly what "duties included" covers, and whether it includes all import taxes and port charges.
- Watch two: ask which situations are charged extra, such as a description that doesn't match the declaration, additional certification, or storage caused by the consignee.
- Watch three: confirm whether the provider clears customs itself in the destination country or subcontracts, and who handles problems.
Get a written quote before signing that lists included and excluded charges item by item. It's more reliable than a verbal promise.
Frequently asked questions
Is a duties-included line always compliant?
It comes down to whether the declaration is truthful. Duties included doesn't mean goods can be under-declared or mis-declared at will; proper clearance still declares the actual description and value. Otherwise the goods may be seized or fined, and the liability ultimately falls on the cargo owner.