For a lot of China–Mexico shipments, the question is not “what does the freight cost?” — it is “who deals with Mexican customs, the duties and the final delivery?” DDP answers that by putting all of it on the forwarder. Here is how it works and when it is the right call.

What DDP means

DDP — Delivered Duty Paid — is the Incoterm where the seller (or their forwarder) is responsible for the goods all the way to the buyer’s door, including export, freight, import customs clearance, import duties and taxes, and final delivery. The buyer just receives the goods.

In the China–Mexico trade you will hear it called two ways — DDP or doble despacho (double clearance, i.e. cleared on both the export and import sides). They point to the same thing: one price, delivered, nothing left for the buyer to arrange at the border.

For a refresher on how DDP compares with other terms, see DDP vs DAP vs FOB.

Why it is popular on the China–Mexico lane

DDP solves a specific, real problem: a Chinese seller usually cannot be the importer of record in Mexico. Formal import requires the importer to be registered in the Padrón de Importadores, which a foreign company without a Mexican entity does not have.

DDP gets around this because the import is handled on the Mexican side by the forwarder’s setup, not by the seller. That makes it the natural fit for:

Chinese sellers and cross-border e-commerce shipping to Mexican customers without their own Mexican company.
Buyers who want price certainty — one number, no surprise customs bill.
Anyone who would rather not learn pedimentos, the Padrón, sector registries and NOM.

What a DDP price should include

A genuine DDP quote to Mexico bundles:

Export handling and documentation in China
Ocean or air freight to the Mexican gateway
Import customs clearance (the pedimento)
Import duty — including Mexico’s higher tariffs on many Chinese goods; see Mexico’s 2026 tariffs
IVA (VAT) and customs fees
Final delivery to the destination address

The headline attraction is simplicity. The thing to watch is what is excluded — read on.

What to check before you accept a DDP quote

DDP is only as good as the quote behind it. Ask:

Is the duty calculated on the correct HS code and value? A DDP price built on an under-declared value is a risk that lands on you later, not a saving. Insist on compliant valuation.
What is excluded? NOM certification, special permits, demurrage from delays, or destination-side storage can sit outside the quoted price. Get the exclusions in writing.
Is it a realistic transit time? Door-to-door China–Mexico sea freight is typically around 30–45 days; be wary of quotes that promise far faster on ocean. See China to Mexico shipping time.
Who is the importer of record, legally? A reputable forwarder can explain exactly how the import is structured.

When DDP is not the best choice

DDP is not always right. If you (or your customer) already have an active Padrón and an in-house broker, paying duties directly under DAP or FOB can be cheaper and gives you more control and visibility over the duty itself. Large, regular importers often prefer that. DDP earns its keep when you value simplicity and price certainty over line-by-line control.

The bottom line

DDP — doble despacho — lets you ship from China to Mexico for one all-in price, with the freight, duties, clearance and delivery all handled for you. It is the cleanest option for sellers without a Mexican importer of record, and for buyers who want a single, predictable number. Just make sure the quote is built on compliant valuation and a clear list of what is included. Tell us your product, volume and destination city and we will send a transparent DDP price.

DDP Shipping from China to Mexico: How Delivered Duty Paid Works