DDP from China to Mexico: 9 questions before paying

What you agree to under DDP

ICC Academy explains that DDP assigns import formalities and their costs to the seller. Delivery occurs at the agreed point with the goods ready for unloading. The buyer usually handles unloading.

The contractual allocation needs a workable import arrangement. Identify the importer and confirm product requirements with the customs professional responsible before dispatch.

Read the source for this explanation ↗

The 9 questions to send your supplier

Ask for answers that can become part of the order or contract. If an answer changes the price or delivery scope, request a revised proposal.

1. What is the exact delivery point? Include the address, postal code and access conditions.
2. Who will be the importer in Mexico? Ask for the responsible party’s identity and role.
3. Who coordinates customs clearance? Establish who receives your product information and who checks the requirements.
4. Which charges are included? Separate transport, formalities, applicable taxes and delivery; identify any pending items.
5. Which documents will I receive? Agree on the invoice, packing list, transport documents and customs documentation appropriate to your transaction.
6. What information do you need before dispatch? Confirm the recipient, product description, actual value and any applicable tax details.
7. How will an inspection or additional charge be handled? Agree who reports it, what evidence is provided and how costs are authorized.
8. What applies if goods are lost or damaged? Request liability terms, any contracted insurance and the claims procedure.
9. What does the delivery date mean? Separate an estimate from a commitment, list its conditions and agree how changes will be communicated.

Check that the answers match

Compare the seller, recipient, goods and delivery point across the quote and order. A sales conversation may describe a different scope from the document you eventually accept.

If you need documents for accounting or to establish how the goods were imported, raise that before buying. Ask the appropriate professional to confirm the documents your operation requires; a delivery label does not settle that question.

Use the same cargo details for each proposal

Send each provider the same product, quantity, packaging, weight, dimensions and destination. Ask what changes if the final packaging differs or the address requires an appointment, unloading equipment or a special delivery arrangement.

A lower total may cover a different delivery point or leave charges unresolved. Mark those differences before comparing the full cost.

A message you can adapt

“Before confirming, please state DDP [address and postal code], Incoterms® 2020, the importing party in Mexico, the documents I will receive, included charges and the procedure for additional costs. I have attached the product and packaging details.”

Those details are the starting point for a logistics review. MX Pacific Express confirms cargo acceptance and available scope for each inquiry.