# Choose DDP or DDU for international shipments
URL: https://support.starshipit.com/articles/4415554835215-choose-ddp-or-ddu-for-international-shipments
Canonical: https://support.starshipit.com/articles/4415554835215-choose-ddp-or-ddu-for-international-shipments
Markdown: https://support.starshipit.com/articles/4415554835215-choose-ddp-or-ddu-for-international-shipments.md
Updated: 2026-09-16

> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://support.starshipit.com/llms.txt).

> Learn how to configure DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) and DDU (Delivered Duty Unpaid) Incoterms for international shipments in Starshipit.

:::warning
**U.S. regulation change (29 Aug 2025):** The United States ended the de minimis exemption which allowed shipments under $US800 to enter the US duty-free. Make sure to use DDP to keep deliveries moving. Stay up-to-date in our [guide here](/articles/international-shipping-compliance/customs-duties/shipping-to-the-us-live-de-minimis-updates-disruption-notices-and-guidance).
:::

Choose DDP or DDU for supported international shipments so your carrier knows whether the sender or receiver is responsible for import duties and taxes. DDP, also called **Sender Pays Duty**, means you pay the charges. DDU means the receiver pays them.

Starshipit supports this choice for DHL Express, DHL eCommerce, UPS, DPD, Royal Mail, FedEx, Seko, Parxl, and Australia Post eParcel. APGL services have an order option; non-APGL services use a rule. Confirm the selected courier service supports the option before dispatching.

For Australia Post eParcel non-APGL services, you cannot select DDP directly on an order. Use an import rule with **Set Sender Pays Duty** instead.

## Set your default option within the courier settings

1. Go to **Settings >** **Couriers** > Select your courier settings > **Advanced**.
2. Tick or untick the **Duties and Taxes Paid/Sender Pays Duty** option depending on what you would like your default to be.

<!-- TODO: Image needed - Courier Advanced settings showing Duties and Taxes Paid option -->

## Use rules to automatically assign Incoterms

You may wish to apply Incoterms based on certain criteria. For example, all orders under $100 should be DDU or all orders to the EU should be DDP. You can configure this using Starshipit's [rules engine](/articles/notifications-branded-tracking-rules-child-accounts/business-rules/rules-overview).

1. Go to **Settings >** **Rules** > **Create a new rule**.
2. Select the relevant condition for when you would like the rule to apply.
3. Set the action to **Set Sender Pays Duty** = True (DDP) or **Set Sender Pays Duty** = False (DDU).

This is also the way to enable DDP for Australia Post eParcel non-APGL services.

<!-- TODO: Image needed - Rules engine showing Set Sender Pays Duty action -->

## Choose an option on an individual order

You may wish to only specify specific orders to have a different Incoterm than the rest of your shipments. For example, if you were sending out an exchange and the customer already paid taxes you may want to set the new order to DDP so that you pay for the customs charges.

1. Open the order from the new orders grid.
2. Tick the **Duties & Taxes Paid** box.
3. Check that the option is still selected and that the courier service is correct.
4. Print the order.

## Verify before you dispatch

Open the order and confirm the selected courier, service, and **Duties & Taxes Paid** value match your shipping policy. For a DDP shipment, also make sure you have the required customs information and any tax number required by the destination. If the carrier rejects the option, contact the carrier to confirm the service and destination are eligible before retrying.