What Is DAT (Delivered at Terminal)?

Delivered at Terminal Incoterm Explained

Summary

DAT (Delivered at Terminal) was an Incoterms® 2010 rule defining that the seller delivers goods unloaded at a named terminal at the destination location.
Under DAT, the seller was responsible for transportation costs, export clearance and risks until the goods were unloaded at the agreed terminal.
DAT could be used for all transport modes, including road freight, rail freight, air freight, sea freight and multimodal transportation.
The DAT Incoterm was replaced by DPU (Delivered at Place Unloaded) in Incoterms® 2020 to make the delivery concept more flexible beyond traditional terminals.
Although DAT is no longer part of the current Incoterms® rules, it may still appear in existing international sales contracts based on Incoterms® 2010.

What Does DAT Stand For in Logistics?

DAT stands for Delivered at Terminal and was an official international trade term under Incoterms® 2010, published by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC).

The DAT Incoterm defined the responsibilities between seller and buyer when goods were transported internationally and delivered to a specified terminal at the destination.

Under DAT:

The seller arranged and paid transportation to the named terminal.
The seller was responsible for export customs clearance.
The seller carried transport risks until the goods were unloaded at the terminal.
The buyer handled import clearance, duties, taxes and onward transport after delivery.

The central principle of DAT was:

The seller delivers the goods unloaded at the agreed terminal — the buyer takes responsibility afterwards.

Is DAT Still a Valid Incoterm?

DAT was replaced in the transition from Incoterms® 2010 to Incoterms® 2020.

The replacement term is:

DPU – Delivered at Place Unloaded

The main reason for this change was to remove the restriction that delivery must occur specifically at a “terminal”. Under DPU, the seller can deliver and unload goods at any agreed place, not only at logistics terminals.

However, DAT can still be used if both parties explicitly agree to apply Incoterms® 2010 DAT rules in their contract.

How Did DAT Shipping Work?

A typical DAT shipment followed this process:

Seller / Exporter

↓

Production and export packaging

↓

Export customs clearance

↓

Transport arrangement

↓

International transportation

↓

Arrival at named terminal

↓

Seller unloads goods

↓

Risk transfers to buyer

↓

Buyer completes import clearance

↓

Buyer arranges onward delivery

The named terminal could include:

Seaport terminal
Airport cargo terminal
Container yard
Rail terminal
Logistics hub
Warehouse facility

The exact delivery location had to be clearly specified because many terminals cover large areas and different cost responsibilities could apply.

DAT Seller Responsibilities

Under DAT, the seller carried significant responsibility throughout the transport process.

Providing the Goods

The seller had to provide goods according to the sales agreement.

This included:

Correct quantity
Required specifications
Proper export condition
Appropriate packaging

Export Packaging and Labelling

The seller prepared the shipment for international transportation.

Typical activities included:

Export packaging
Cargo protection
Product identification
Transport preparation

Export Customs Clearance

The seller was responsible for export formalities.

This included:

Export declarations
Export documentation
Required permits

The seller had to ensure that the goods could legally leave the country of origin.

Arranging International Transport

The seller organized and paid for transportation to the agreed terminal.

Possible transport solutions included:

Road freight
Rail freight
Ocean freight
Air freight
Multimodal transport

DAT was therefore suitable for many international supply chain structures.

Delivery and Unloading at Terminal

The defining feature of DAT was that the seller had to deliver the goods:

Unloaded at the named terminal.

This meant the seller was responsible for:

Transport to destination terminal
Handling until arrival
Unloading operations

Risk transferred only after unloading had been completed.

DAT Buyer Responsibilities

After delivery at the terminal, the buyer assumed responsibility.

Import Customs Clearance

The buyer managed:

Import declarations
Customs procedures
Import permits
Regulatory approvals

Import Duties and Taxes

The buyer paid:

Customs duties
Import VAT
Local taxes
Government charges

Further Transportation

After delivery at the terminal, the buyer arranged:

Local trucking
Warehouse delivery
Distribution
Final-mile transportation

DAT Example

A German manufacturer sells machinery to a customer in the United States under:

DAT Chicago Port Terminal – Incoterms® 2010

Seller Responsibilities

✓ Manufacture machinery
✓ Export packaging
✓ Export customs clearance
✓ Arrange ocean freight
✓ Transport machinery to Chicago terminal
✓ Unload machinery at terminal

Buyer Responsibilities

✓ Import customs clearance
✓ Import duties and taxes
✓ Arrange transport from terminal to factory

The seller carried responsibility until the machinery was unloaded at the agreed terminal.

DAT vs DPU – What Is the Difference?

DAT was replaced by DPU in Incoterms® 2020.

DAT	DPU
Incoterms version: 2010	Incoterms version: 2020
Seller unloads goods: Yes	Seller unloads goods: Yes
Delivery location: Terminal only	Delivery location: Any agreed place
Transport modes: All modes	Transport modes: All modes
Current status: Replaced	Current status: Current rule

The practical concept remains very similar, but DPU provides more flexibility.

DAT vs DAP – What Is the Difference?

DAT and DAP (Delivered at Place) are closely related.

DAT	DAP
Seller delivers to destination: Yes	Seller delivers to destination: Yes
Seller unloads goods: Yes	Seller unloads goods: No
Risk transfer: After unloading	Risk transfer: Before unloading
Destination: Terminal	Destination: Any agreed place

The key difference:

DAT required unloading by the seller, while DAP transfers responsibility before unloading.

DAT vs DDP – What Is the Difference?

DAT	DDP
Seller pays transport: Yes	Seller pays transport: Yes
Export clearance: Seller	Export clearance: Seller
Import clearance: Buyer	Import clearance: Seller
Import duties: Buyer	Import duties: Seller
Unloading: Seller	Unloading: Buyer

DDP places significantly more responsibility on the seller because the seller also manages import procedures and taxes.

When Was DAT Used?

DAT was particularly useful for:

Containerized Ocean Freight

Examples:

Import containers
Port terminal deliveries
International trade shipments

Industrial Equipment Transport

DAT was commonly used for:

Machinery
Heavy equipment
Project cargo

Multimodal Logistics

DAT supported shipments involving:

Sea + road
Rail + road
Air + road

Advantages of DAT

Clear Delivery Responsibility

DAT clearly defined that the seller was responsible until unloading at the terminal.

Reduced Buyer Transport Complexity

The buyer did not need to organize the main international transport.

Suitable for Global Trade

DAT provided a standardized framework for international transactions.

Better Control for Exporters

Sellers could manage transportation through their preferred logistics partners.

Disadvantages of DAT

Seller Had High Transport Responsibility

The seller carried responsibility for:

International freight
Destination terminal delivery
Unloading

Terminal Definition Could Cause Confusion

A terminal can be a large logistics area, creating potential disputes if the location was not precisely defined.

Import Responsibilities Remained With Buyer

The buyer still had to manage:

Customs clearance
Duties
Taxes

DAT Documentation Requirements

Typical DAT shipments required:

Commercial Invoice

Including:

Seller details
Buyer details
Product information
Value
Incoterm reference

Transport Documents

Depending on transport mode:

Bill of Lading
Air Waybill
CMR consignment note
Rail transport documents

Packing List

Including:

Package information
Dimensions
Weight
Cargo details

Certificate of Origin

Required in some international trade situations.

DAT in International Supply Chains

Although replaced by DPU, DAT remains an important logistics concept because it illustrates a common delivery structure:

Seller manages international transportation and destination handling until a defined logistics point.

Many modern logistics contracts still follow similar principles using updated Incoterms such as DPU or DAP.

DAT and Modern Logistics Management

Modern supply chains require transparency across:

Freight movements
Terminal operations
Customs procedures
Delivery milestones

Digital logistics platforms support companies through:

Shipment tracking
Documentation management
Freight visibility
Transport coordination

These technologies help reduce delays and improve international shipment control.

DAT Solutions from OnTime Transport Group

OnTime Transport Group supports companies with international logistics solutions for complex cross-border shipments.

Our services include:

European road freight
International transport coordination
Multimodal logistics
Ocean freight solutions
Customs support
Terminal delivery concepts

For companies working with DAT legacy contracts or modern DPU agreements, professional logistics coordination is essential to manage transport responsibilities efficiently.

With international expertise and a global partner network, OnTime Transport Group helps businesses organize reliable, transparent and efficient international freight solutions.

Frequently Asked Questions About DAT

What does DAT stand for?

DAT stands for Delivered at Terminal and was an Incoterms® 2010 rule defining delivery of goods unloaded at a named terminal.

Is DAT still used today?

DAT was replaced by DPU under Incoterms® 2020 but may still appear in contracts using Incoterms® 2010.

Who paid transportation under DAT?

The seller paid transportation costs until the named terminal.

Who unloaded goods under DAT?

The seller was responsible for unloading goods at the agreed terminal.

What replaced DAT?

DAT was replaced by DPU (Delivered at Place Unloaded) in Incoterms® 2020.

What is the difference between DAT and DAP?

DAT required seller unloading, while DAP requires the seller to deliver goods ready for unloading by the buyer.

About OnTime Transport Group

At OnTime Transport Group, we provide professional, reliable, and flexible road freight solutions across Europe. Specializing in Full Truckload (FTL), Less Than Truckload (LTL), and comprehensive freight forwarding, we help businesses simplify their logistics, optimize supply chains, and ensure on-time delivery. With our experienced team, trusted European carrier network, and real-time tracking, we guarantee that your cargo moves safely, efficiently, and transparently – no matter the size or complexity of the shipment.