Door-to-Door DHL Delivery — Two Customs Options

All TICC sample shipments are dispatched via DHL Express door-to-door delivery. At checkout, where supported for your destination country, you are offered a choice between two customs payment structures. Both result in identical door-to-door DHL delivery — the difference is only in when and how import duties are settled.

A
Most Popular
Prepay Duties at Checkout
Delivered Duty Paid (DDP)
Estimated duties paid upfront
No customs interaction at delivery
TICC absorbs minor duty variances
Predictable landed cost at checkout
B
For Importers
Pay Duties on Arrival
Delivered At Place (DAP)
·Shipment sent under DAP terms
·DHL contacts you at destination for payment
·You pay duties & VAT directly to DHL
·Clearance depends on prompt payment
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Both options use the same DHL Express door-to-door service. The shipment, packaging, and tracking are identical — only the customs payment mechanism differs.
OPTION 1

Prepay Duties at Checkout — DDP Experience

If this option is available for your destination country, estimated import duties and taxes are calculated at checkout using DHL's integrated duty estimation system. You pay the full estimated landed cost upfront — TICC handles the rest.

What this means for your delivery:
DHL completes delivery without requesting customs payment at your address
Faster customs clearance experience in most cases
Your total landed cost is confirmed at checkout — no surprise charges at the door
Indus Craft Co. absorbs reasonable minor variance between estimated and final customs assessment
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Important clarification on duty absorption

While TICC absorbs minor duty differences, this does not apply in exceptional situations, including:

Customs reclassification due to importer-specific declarations
Additional regulatory requirements triggered by destination country laws
Shipment modifications requested by the buyer after dispatch

In such rare cases, any additional charges will be communicated before resolution — we do not apply unexpected charges silently.

OPTION 2

Pay Duties on Arrival — DAP Model

If you choose not to prepay duties at checkout, the shipment is dispatched under DAP (Delivered At Place) terms. TICC is responsible for shipping the goods to your country — but import duties and clearance remain your responsibility.

How the DAP process works:
1
TICC dispatches your shipment via DHL Express under DAP Incoterms.
2
Once the shipment arrives in your country, DHL contacts you to collect applicable import duties, VAT, and clearance charges.
3
Final delivery is completed by DHL after your payment is confirmed.
ℹ️
Under this option, Indus Craft Co. is not responsible for customs payment. Clearance timeline and final delivery depend on how quickly you complete payment to DHL at your destination.

How Are Customs Duties Calculated?

Customs duties are determined by your destination country's customs authority — not by TICC or DHL. The duty estimate shown at checkout is calculated using DHL's integrated system based on the following inputs:

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HS Code Classification
Each product is assigned a Harmonised System code that determines the applicable tariff rate.
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Declared Invoice Value
Duties are typically calculated as a percentage of the declared customs value on the shipment invoice.
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Destination Country Laws
Import duty rates, thresholds, and exemptions differ significantly by country and product category.
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Applicable VAT / GST
Value-added tax or goods and services tax may be levied in addition to import duties depending on your country's rules.
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Indus Craft Co. does not determine duty rates. All rates are governed by your local customs authority. If you need precise duty guidance, consult a licensed customs broker in your country.

What Happens If Customs Duties Are Not Paid?

This is particularly important if you select the Pay on Arrival option. If customs charges are refused or not settled, the following may occur:

Possible consequences of non-payment:
Shipment may be returned to origin (return freight charges apply)
Customs authority may dispose of the shipment if duties remain unpaid
Refund of goods or shipping cost may not be possible once goods are in customs hold

Which Option Should I Choose?

The right choice depends on your import experience and business setup. Use the guide below:

Choose Prepay if…
·You want the simplest, smoothest delivery experience
·You prefer no customs interaction at your door
·You are placing a first evaluation or sample order
·You want cost predictability — everything confirmed upfront
📋 Choose Pay on Arrival if…
·You prefer to manage customs clearance directly
·You are a registered importer with your own customs broker
·Your business accounting requires direct duty payment
·You have established processes for handling DAP shipments
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Our Recommendation
For first-time buyers and small evaluation orders: Prepaid duties typically offer the most straightforward experience — no surprises, no follow-up steps.
For experienced importers with established customs processes: Pay-on-arrival (DAP) may be the better fit for your existing workflows and accounting requirements.

Summary

You have full flexibility at checkout:
1
Prepay estimated duties at checkout (DDP) — TICC absorbs minor duty variances; delivery without customs interaction at your door.
2
Pay duties on arrival directly to DHL (DAP) — clearance and final delivery depend on prompt payment at destination.
Both options use the same DHL Express service and result in identical door-to-door delivery.
This flexibility allows you to choose the customs payment structure that best fits your business model. Not sure which is right for you? Chat with us on WhatsApp before placing your order.
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