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DAP vs DDP vs DDU: who pays duty and delivery costs under each term?

DAP, DDP, and DDU all sit in the door-delivery group of Incoterms, and buyers still see all three on purchase orders despite one of them being retired over a decade ago. This guide explains exactly who pays duty, who clears customs, and why DDU quietly became DAP.

Holo Cargo Operations·Aug 23, 2026·6 min

Latest

18 articles
Ocean

How Many Free Days Do You Get Before Demurrage Charges Start?

Demurrage doesn't start on day one — every carrier grants a free-time window first. This guide explains the typical range, what shortens or extends it, how combined and split free time work, and how to confirm your exact allowance before the vessel arrives.

Holo Cargo Operations·Aug 16, 2026·7 min
Ocean

20ft vs 40ft container: which size actually fits your shipment?

Picking between a 20ft and 40ft container comes down to weight versus volume, not habit. This guide breaks down payload limits, usable CBM, and the cost-per-CBM math that decides which box actually pays off for your cargo mix and lane.

Holo Cargo Operations·Aug 10, 2026·7 min
Ocean

What is a BL fee, and why does every ocean quote include one?

Every ocean freight quote carries a small line item labeled "BL fee" that rarely gets an explanation. Here's what it actually pays for, why it shows up on every shipment regardless of carrier or lane, and how to tell a normal BL fee from one worth questioning.

Holo Cargo Operations·Aug 9, 2026·7 min
Ocean

Container Max Payload: What Happens When Cargo Exceeds the Limit

An overweight container doesn't just get a warning — it gets stopped. Here's what a max payload limit actually covers, how terminals catch a container that's too heavy, and what it costs in delay and restuffing fees when one slips through.

Holo Cargo Operations·Aug 2, 2026·7 min
Ocean

Storage vs Demurrage: Two Charges Shippers Often Confuse

Storage and demurrage both punish a container that lingers too long, but they're billed by different parties under different rules — and they can stack. Here's how to tell them apart on an invoice, why they sometimes apply at the same time, and what actually keeps both off your bill.

Holo Cargo Operations·Jul 29, 2026·6 min
Ocean

Freight Consolidation (Co-Loading): When It Saves Money

Consolidation groups your cargo with other shippers' freight into a single container at a negotiated flat rate — a middle path between paying full LCL per-CBM pricing and booking a container you can't fill. Here's how it works, how pricing compares, and when it makes sense.

Holo Cargo Operations·Jul 26, 2026·6 min

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