What Is mDDP Amazon ?
In the context of Amazon (specifically Amazon Vendor Central and international supply chains), mDDP stands for Modified Delivered Duty Paid.
mDDP service includes two scenarios:
If you are a supplier for Amazon Direct Fulfillment
Amazon books the shipping space and is responsible for sea freight;
the factory loads the container. After loading, you provide us with ISF declaration information and BOL, and we handle the ISF declaration. During sea freight,
we take care of destination port customs clearance and tax payment. After the container is released, we provide the DO to you, and Amazon picks up the container with the DO.
If you are a U.S. importer
You can choose your own sea freight forwarder to book shipping space and handle sea freight; the factory loads the container.
After loading, you provide us with ISF declaration information and BOL, and we handle the ISF declaration. During sea freight, we take care of destination port customs clearance and tax payment.
After the container is released, we provide the DO to you, and your company or the sea freight forwarder picks up the container.
What is the difference between mDDP and DDP?
The core advantage of using our DDP and mDDP services is that we help you reasonably control customs duties, and there is no risk for you at all.
| Comparison Items | DDP Service | mDDP Service |
|---|---|---|
| Applicable Trade Terms | EXW/FOB (FOB quote deducts the FOB fee paid to the factory) | EXW/FOB (FOB quote deducts the FOB fee paid to the factory) |
| Overall Process Leading Party | We are fully responsible for the entire process (pick-up, container loading, customs declaration, transportation, customs clearance, tax payment, door-to-door delivery) | Sea freight is handled by Amazon (for Amazon Direct Fulfillment suppliers) or your designated forwarder (for U.S. importers); we are responsible for ISF filing, destination port customs clearance and tax payment |
| Container Loading Responsible Party | We arrange pick-up and container loading (or the factory cooperates with loading) | The factory is responsible for container loading |
| Sea Freight Responsible Party | We are responsible for booking shipping space and sea freight | Amazon (Scenario 1)/your designated forwarder (Scenario 2) is responsible for booking shipping space and sea freight |
| ISF Filing Responsible Party | We | We |
| Destination Port Customs Clearance & Tax Payment Responsible Party | We | We |
| Container Pick-up & Delivery | We are responsible for container pick-up and door-to-door delivery | Amazon (Scenario 1)/your company/your forwarder (Scenario 2) picks up the container with the DO provided by us; no delivery service included |
| Core Advantages | One-stop full-service, no risk, reasonable customs duty control | Flexible adaptation to sea freight partners, no risk, reasonable customs duty control |
Why does Amazon use mDDP?
Amazon uses this model to split the responsibilities in a way that benefits their logistics network while keeping costs on the supplier:
Risk Transfer: Amazon takes ownership of the goods early (at the origin port in China, for example). This allows Amazon to control the freight, route it through their own global logistics network, and manage the speed of delivery.
Cost Liability: Even though Amazon takes ownership early, they require you (the manufacturer) to pay for the import duties, tariffs, and taxes.
Tariff Splitting: In some Vendor Central agreements (especially since the 2019 US-China tariff wars), Amazon moved vendors to mDDP to ensure the vendors continued to absorb the cost of high tariffs, rather than Amazon paying them.
Selling to Amazon Under mDDP Terms?
As an overseas supplier, Amazon’s mDDP (Modified Delivered Duty Paid) program requires you to handle US customs clearance, pay all duties and tariffs, and deliver directly to their fulfillment centers.
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We simplify this for you.
Why Choose Groto mDDP Service?
As a full-service freight forwarder, we provide complete mDDP solutions from your factory door to Amazon’s fulfillment centers.
| Traditional Approach | Our mDDP Service |
|---|---|
| Multiple vendors to coordinate | Single partner, end-to-end |
| Separate freight, broker, IOR fees | One all-inclusive price |
| You handle customs compliance | We're your IOR - full compliance |
| Pay duties before clearance | We advance duties, you pay in one invoice |
| Risk of delays and penalties | Professional clearance, faster processing |
| Complex Amazon coordination | We handle FC delivery requirements |
What We Handle:
International Freight
- Ocean freight (FCL/LCL) or air freight from your origin
- Competitive carrier rates and reliable schedules
- Factory pick-up and cargo consolidation
Customs Clearance
(IOR Services)
- Complete customs clearance and compliance
- All tariff and duty payments
- ISF filing and customs broker fees
- Expert HS code classification
Final Delivery
- Direct coordination with Amazon fulfillment centers
- Appointment scheduling and FC compliance
- Proof of delivery documentation
You will receive:
✓ Reduce compliance risks and avoid costly penalties
✓ Optimize duty classification to minimize costs
✓ Expert US customs knowledge and relationships
✓ Faster clearance times = fewer delays
✓ One price, one partner – no juggling multiple vendors
✓ Full transparency with detailed reporting
