FAS vs DAP – who pays for what?
FAS is Free Alongside Ship and DAP is Delivered at Place. We compare who pays for transport, customs clearance and duty, and where risk passes to the buyer.
Key differences
Under DAP, the seller also covers loading for main carriage and the main freight. Under FAS, the buyer pays for this instead. The two rules also differ in the point at which risk passes to the buyer and in the mode of transport. FAS applies only to sea and inland waterway transport.
- Loading for main carriage
- FASBuyerDAPSeller
- Main carriage (freight)
- FASBuyerDAPSeller
- Risk passes
- FASAlongside the ship at the port of loadingDAPAt the place of destination, before unloading
- Mode of transport
- FASSea onlyDAPAny
Full cost breakdown
| Cost | FAS | DAP |
|---|---|---|
| Export clearance | Seller | Seller |
| Transport to the port or terminal | Seller | Seller |
| Loading for main carriage | Buyer | Seller |
| Main carriage (freight) | Buyer | Seller |
| Insurance | No obligation | No obligation |
| Unloading at destination | Buyer | Buyer |
| Import clearance | Buyer | Buyer |
| Import duty and VAT | Buyer | Buyer |
| Risk passes | At the port of loading, when the goods are placed alongside the ship (e.g. on the quay). | At the place of destination, when the goods are ready for unloading from the arriving means of transport. |
| Mode of transport | Sea and inland waterway transport only | Any mode of transport (sea, rail, air, road) |
Notes
- Unloading at destination: if unloading costs are included in the contract of carriage concluded by the seller, the seller pays them and cannot charge them to the buyer afterwards.
What to watch for when importing from China
FAS Free Alongside Ship
FAS is hardly ever used for containers, because a container is handed over at the terminal several days before loading. It makes sense for bulk and oversized cargo – for containers, FCA is the better choice.
DAP Delivered at Place
The supplier delivers the goods to the agreed address, but import clearance, duty and VAT are your responsibility. A “DAP Warsaw” price is therefore not the final price – add duty, VAT and the cost of customs clearance. State the exact address, because “DAP Poland” is not enough. Unloading is also your responsibility.
More about DAP →When to use FAS and when to use DAP?
- FAS – for bulk and oversized cargo in sea freight, when the buyer arranges loading on board.
- DAP – when the supplier is to deliver the goods to your address, and you want to keep customs clearance in your own hands. With a new supplier, it is a safer alternative to DDP.
Buying on FAS terms? You choose the forwarder
We organise transport from China – by rail, sea or air – together with customs clearance in Poland and cargo insurance. Send us your cargo details and we will prepare a quote tailored to your shipment.
Request a quoteFAQ
What is the main difference between FAS and DAP?
Under DAP, the seller also covers loading for main carriage and the main freight. Under FAS, the buyer pays for this instead. The two rules also differ in the point at which risk passes to the buyer and in the mode of transport. FAS applies only to sea and inland waterway transport.
Where does risk pass to the buyer under FAS?
At the port of loading, when the goods are placed alongside the ship (e.g. on the quay).
Where does risk pass to the buyer under DAP?
At the place of destination, when the goods are ready for unloading from the arriving means of transport.
Can FAS and DAP be used for rail freight from China?
Only DAP. DAP works with any mode of transport, while FAS applies only to sea and inland waterway transport. That is why FAS is not used for rail freight from China.
Compare other pairs
Incoterms® is a registered trademark of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC). This page is an independent, simplified summary of how costs and risks are divided – it is not affiliated with or approved by the ICC. When drafting contracts, use the official text of the Incoterms® 2020 rules published by the ICC.