Watch: DAT Incoterm Explained
DAT means Delivered at Terminal. It was an Incoterms® 2010 rule under which the seller delivered the goods after unloading them at the named destination terminal.
DAT was renamed DPU—Delivered at Place Unloaded—in Incoterms® 2020. The change clarified that delivery can occur at any precisely named place, not only at a terminal.
Video Transcript
“What does DAT mean in international shipping—and is it still used?
This 30-second guide explains Delivered at Terminal under Incoterms® 2010 and how it became DPU—Delivered at Place Unloaded—under Incoterms® 2020.
Under DAT, the seller arranged transportation, completed export clearance, and bore the costs and risk until the goods were unloaded at the named destination terminal.
The buyer handled import clearance and paid applicable import duties and taxes.
DAT was renamed DPU to clarify that delivery can occur at any agreed place—not only a terminal.
Under both rules, the seller unloads the goods before delivery and risk transfer.
For contracts using Incoterms® 2020, use DPU and specify the exact delivery point.”
Is DAT Still Used?
DAT may still appear in contracts that expressly incorporate Incoterms® 2010. However, contracts applying Incoterms® 2020 should use DPU rather than DAT.
Under both DAT and DPU, the seller is responsible for unloading the goods at the named destination before delivery and risk transfer. The main change is that DPU permits the named delivery point to be any agreed place capable of receiving and unloading the goods—not only a terminal.
Read the complete DPU Incoterm guide for current seller and buyer responsibilities, costs, customs procedures and risk transfer.
You can also explore all Incoterms® and compare DPU with DAP, DDP and the other Incoterms® 2020 rules.
Incoterms® is a registered trademark of the International Chamber of Commerce.
