The core difference between all-inclusive price, door-to-door price, and port-to-port price in sea freight quotes lies in the transportation stages and cost coverage, which directly determines how much you will have to pay for additional destination port/customs clearance/delivery fees, and where the responsibility boundaries lie.
Next, Weefreight will provide you with a detailed analysis, hoping it will be helpful to you.
- Port-to-Port Price (PTP)
Core: Only responsible for the sea transportation from the “origin port terminal → destination port terminal,” and nothing else. What’s Included:
Ocean Freight
Origin Port Terminal Handling Charge (THC)
Some routes may include: Origin Port Documentation Fee (DOC), Manifest Declaration Fee (AMS/ENS/ISF, etc.)
Only to the destination port terminal; does not include customs clearance, delivery, or duties.
What’s Not Included (all to be paid separately by the consignee/shipper):
Destination Port Terminal Handling Charge (DTHC)
Destination Port Documentation Fee, Security Fee, Storage Fee, Demurrage Charges
Customs Clearance Fees, Duties, VAT, Inspection Fees
Trucking/Delivery Fees, Unloading Fees, Warehousing Fees, etc.
Applicable Scenarios:
Buyers/consignees who have their own customs brokers and trucking services and only want to purchase the “ocean freight segment.”
Trade Terms: FOB, CFR, CIF (CIF/CFR are essentially port-to-port + ocean freight)
Features: Lowest quoted price, but more subsequent destination port fees; clear responsibilities; suitable for customers familiar with local customs clearance.
II. Door-to-Door Price (DTD)
Core: Full transportation from “shipper’s warehouse/factory → consignee’s warehouse/designated address,” but usually does not include customs duties. What’s Included (Standard Door-to-Door)
Domestic pickup fee (factory/warehouse → port of origin terminal)
Port of origin customs clearance fee, THC, DOC, manifest fee, etc.
Ocean freight
Destination port DTHC, document fee, security fee, and other terminal charges
Destination port customs clearance fee (excluding customs duties/VAT)
Destination port trucking/delivery fee (terminal → consignee’s address)
Full container load (FCL): container pickup + return; Less than container load (LCL): container unpacking + distribution + delivery
What’s Not Included (Key Points)
Import duties and VAT/GST (most door-to-door prices do not include these)
Customs inspection fees, commodity inspection fees, special cargo fees (dangerous goods/refrigerated/oversized cargo)
Destination port demurrage charges, detention fees (if incurred due to customs clearance delays)
Upstairs delivery fee, transshipment fee, private address/remote area surcharge
Common Variations
DAP Door-to-Door: Same as above, excluding customs duties; buyer pays customs duties
DDP Door-to-Door: Door-to-door including customs duties (will be discussed in detail under “All-Inclusive Price” below)
Applicable Scenarios
Buyers who don’t want to worry about customs clearance and trucking, and just want the goods delivered to their doorstep.
Cross-border e-commerce, small and medium-sized buyers, customers without local customs clearance capabilities
Trade Terms: DAP (excluding tax), DDP (including tax)
III. All-Inclusive Price (All In / DDP All In)
Core: From shipper’s warehouse → consignee’s warehouse, including customs duties, customs clearance, and delivery, almost everything included. “One price covers everything,” the buyer only needs to receive the goods.
Note: The term “all-inclusive price” is not standardized in the industry; some only include delivery to the door but not taxes, while others include customs duties. Always check the price breakdown.
The true meaning of “all-inclusive” = DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) including taxes and delivery to the door. Standard “Delivered Duty Paid (DDP)” includes:
Domestic pickup, customs clearance, and all charges at the port of origin
Ocean freight
All charges at the port of destination (DTHC, DOC, within free storage period, etc.)
Customs clearance fees at the port of destination
Import duties + VAT/GST
Trucking/delivery fees at the port of destination (from port to consignee’s address)
Standard customs clearance miscellaneous fees (excluding inspection, special goods, and demurrage/detention charges)
Usually NOT included (to avoid pitfalls):
Customs inspection fees (random, unpredictable)
Commodity inspection/quarantine fees (food, cosmetics, medical devices, etc.)
Demurrage and detention charges (due to consignee’s customs clearance/delivery delays)
Upstairs delivery fees, oversized/overweight handling fees, remote area surcharges
Fines/amendment fees due to incorrect declarations, infringement, or document discrepancies
Applicable scenarios:
Buyers who want to completely avoid handling logistics, customs clearance, and taxes, and only want to receive the goods.
Amazon FBA first-mile delivery (many are DDP all-inclusive to the warehouse)
Orders with high value, low volume, and where the buyer does not want to bear the risk of tariff fluctuations
Trade term: DDP (Delivered Duty Paid)
IV. Core Comparison of the Three (Summary in one sentence)
Port-to-Port (PTP): Only transports to the destination port terminal; customs clearance, duties, and delivery are not included. Lowest cost but more subsequent hassle. Door-to-Door (DTD/DAP): Delivered to the recipient’s door, excluding customs duties. The buyer pays customs duties. Convenient but still requires the buyer to bear tax costs.
All-inclusive Price (DDP All In): Delivered to the door + including customs duties. One price covers everything, the buyer has zero worries. Highest price but the most hassle-free.
V. 4 Essential Questions to Ask When Getting a Quote (to avoid pitfalls)
Is it port-to-port, door-to-door (DAP), or all-inclusive (DDP)?
Does it include customs duties/VAT? (Most crucial, can make a big difference in price)
What are the free storage and demurrage periods at the destination port? How are overdue charges calculated?
Does the quote include inspection fees, commodity inspection fees, remote area fees, and upstairs delivery fees?
VI. Quick Selection Suggestions
If you/your customer have customs clearance capabilities and want to save costs → Choose Port-to-Port (CIF/CFR)
If you want convenience but can pay customs duties yourself → Choose Door-to-Door (DAP)
If you want a completely hands-off approach and a single price → Choose All-inclusive (DDP)
If you have any international logistics service needs, please click on the floating chat icon in the lower right corner or other contact methods on the lower right of the page to contact us immediately!
