Understanding Delivered Ex Ship (DES) Incoterm | Definition & Explanation

What Is Delivered Ex Ship (DES)?

Delivered ex-ship (DES) was a trade term that required a seller to deliver goods to a buyer at an agreed port of arrival. The seller met its obligation upon delivery of uncleared goods in a designated port. It assumed the full cost and risk involved in getting the goods to that point, at which time it was available to the buyer and the buyer assumed all ensuing costs and risks.

This term applied to both inland and sea shipping and often in charter shipping. It expired effective 2011. DES is a legal term, and the exact definition can differ somewhat by country.

Key Takeaways

• Delivered ex-ship (DES) was a trade term that stated that a seller had to deliver goods to a buyer at a certain port of arrival, as specified in an international shipping contract.
• DES was an incoterm that applied to both inland and sea shipping and often in charter shipping that expired in 2011.
• DES was a legal term, with the exact definition varying by country.

Delivered Ex Ship (DES) Explained

Contracts involving international transportation often contain abbreviated trade terms that describe details such as the time and place of delivery, payment, at what point the risk of loss shifts from the seller to the buyer, and who pays for the costs of freight and insurance. DES was just one type of such an international trade contract.

Incoterms Define Shipping Terms

The most commonly known trade terms are known as "incoterms," short for "international commercial terms." The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), an organization, publishes them aiming to foster trade and commerce internationally. ICC promotes and protects open markets for goods and services. 

Incoterms are often identical in form to domestic terms such as the American Uniform Commercial Code (UCC), but they have different meanings. Parties to a contract must expressly indicate the governing law of their terms as a result.

Typically, the seller remains responsible for products until delivery. It bears the costs and risks that come with bringing goods to port. The seller has total responsibility for shipping, and it must pay the shipping company and purchase insurance for the goods.

The seller's obligation ends when it delivers the merchandise to the agreed-upon port, aboard the ship, not yet cleared for import. Buyers are responsible for all costs to receive and unload the goods, and to clear them through customs.

Delivered Ex Ship (DES) is different from Delivered Ex Quay (DEQ), which says the seller ships the goods to the wharf at the destination port, and Delivered Ex Works (DEW), which says the seller must have the goods available for pickup at the site of its business.

Delivered Ex Ship Versus Ex Quay and Ex Works

Delivered Ex Ship differs from Delivered Ex Quay (DEQ) and Ex Works (EXW). Delivered Ex Ship (DES) stipulates that the seller has a legal obligation to deliver the goods to port and to ensure the goods' arrival there, but not to a wharf.

Delivered Ex Quay specifies that the seller must ship the goods to the wharf at the destination port. Delivered Ex Quay can note a duty as either paid or unpaid. The seller is obligated to cover costs, like duties, if it pays, and is responsible for providing the merchandise. If unpaid, those obligations and responsibilities shift to the buyer.

The seller must make the goods available for pickup at its place of business in Ex Works. All costs and risks of transportation are taken on by the buyer from there.

Examples of Delivered Ex Ship

Seller X ships contracted goods to a pier and port in Kennebunkport, Maine. Midway there, the ship encounters a storm and sinks. Seller X absorbs the loss because the shipment has not yet arrived in port.

Alternatively, Seller X's shipment makes it safely to Kennebunkport. The storm hits while the ship is docked after the point when Buyer Y has contractually taken possession of the products. The ship sinks in port. Buyer Y absorbs the loss because it has accepted delivery, even though the goods have not yet left the ship.