If I'm Importing Products DDP, Can I Still Get Duty Drawback?
Importing DDP? You may still qualify for U.S. duty refunds. Learn how to recover duties paid on DDP shipments with Evana's automated drawback service.
Evana Team
Duty Drawback Specialists
If I'm Importing Products DDP, Can I Still Get Duty Drawback?
Importing DDP? You may still qualify for U.S. duty refunds. Learn how to recover duties paid on DDP shipments with Evana's automated drawback service.
TL;DR:
- ✅Yes — in many cases, you can still claim duty drawback even if your imports are shipped DDP (Delivered Duty Paid).
- 🚫But there's a catch: you need access to the import data (like the CBP 7501 form) and proof of duties actually paid.
- 💡The key is determining who the Importer of Record (IOR) was — and structuring your relationship with your supplier or broker so you can legally claim the refund.
First, What Does DDP Actually Mean?
DDP stands for Delivered Duty Paid — it's an internation shipping term (Incoterm) meaning your supplier is responsible for everything up to delivery to your door:
- •Import duties
- •Taxes
- •Customs clearance
- •Freight and logistics
It's designed for simplicity. You pay one price and your goods show up without you having to deal with U.S. Customs.
But that simplicity can come at a hidden cost — especially when it comes to duty drawback, the U.S. government's refund program that lets importers recover duties paid on goods that are later exported, destroyed, or unused.
Why DDP Creates Confusion Around Drawback
When goods are imported DDP, the foreign supplier (or their logistics partner) is usually listed as the Importer of Record (IOR) — not you, the U.S. buyer. That means technically, they paid the duties, not your company.
So if you go to file a duty drawback claim, U.S. Customs (CBP) will say:
“Prove you paid the duties — and show us the entry summary (Form 7501).”
If the DDP supplier is the one who filed that paperwork, you'll need their cooperation or a simple Letter of Assignment transferring the drawback rights to your company.
Good News: You Can Still Get Your Refund
Here's wher eit gets interesting - and where Evana steps in.
Duty drawback eligibility isn't limited by your shipping term (DDP, DAP, FOB, etc.) — it's limited by who has the legal right to the refund.
So even if your supplier imported DDP, you can often still recover the duties by doing one of the following:
Option 1: Get a Drawback Assignment
Ask your supplier or freight partner (the Importer of Record) to sign a simple Letter of Assignment giving your business the right to claim the duty refund.
This is a one-page document recognized by U.S. Customs.
Option 2: Shift Future Imports to DAP or FOB Terms
Going forward, have your company listed as the Importer of Record (IOR).
That way, you'll have full visibility into your CBP 7501 data and be eligible for drawback automatically.
Option 3: Let Evana Handle It for You
Our team specializes in recovering duties even in complex DDP setups.
We handle contacting your supplier, securing the assignment letter, matching your import and export data, and filing the claim — so you don't have to.
Real-World Example
A major skincare brand imported its packaging from South Korea under DDP terms.
Their manufacturer handled everything, including duties.
When Evana reviewed their shipping data, we realized over 25% of their finished products were being exported to Canada and Europe.
By securing a drawback assignment from the Korean supplier and filing properly, we helped them recover over $180,000 in duties they never thought they'd see again.
Action Steps
- 1.Check your Incoterms. If they say DDP, find out who your Importer of Record is.
- 2.Ask for your CBP 7501 forms (or let Evana retrieve them). These show duties paid and are essential for drawback.
- 3.Get a Drawback Assignment Letter if needed.
- 4.Talk to Evana. We'll evaluate your eligibility, recover your data, and file the claims — all on auto-pilot.
Final Word
If you've been importing under DDP and assumed you couldn't get your money back — think again.
You might be sitting on tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars in refundable duties.
Evana is the only duty drawback solution built for modern Shopify and Amazon brands.
We handle the complexity — so you get the refund.
💰 Want to find out if your DDP imports qualify?
Get your free duty refund analysis: https://calendly.com/parkerburr/evana-duty-drawback-discovery-call
Ready to reclaim more?
Get started with Evana today
Talk through your import duty refund opportunity with our specialists