Why Delivered at frontier (DAF) matters to a first-time founder
DAF matters mainly when reading an older sales contract. It allocated delivery, cost, and risk at a named frontier point before the importing country’s customs border. The International Chamber of Commerce removed DAF from Incoterms 2010. Using it casually in a new contract creates avoidable uncertainty because current logistics teams and documents are built around newer rules.
Examples of Delivered at frontier (DAF)
A 2008 contract states “DAF Dorohusk, Polish-Ukrainian border, Incoterms 2000” for machinery shipped to Ukraine. The seller carries cost and risk to the named frontier point, before import clearance. The buyer handles import formalities and the onward journey. If the parties instead write only “DAF Warsaw” today, they leave the version and intended responsibilities unclear.
Common misunderstanding
DAF is not the current term DAP. Under the old DAF rule, delivery centred on a named frontier point before import clearance. DAP can name almost any destination and places the goods at the buyer’s disposal ready for unloading. The incorporated Incoterms edition and contract wording govern; the abbreviation alone does not override mandatory customs or transport law.
When to use it
Use DAF only to interpret or administer a contract that expressly incorporates the older Incoterms edition. For a new sale, choose a current Incoterms 2020 rule that matches the intended route and responsibilities, state the precise named place, and include the edition. Ask a trade adviser or lawyer if an old contract uses DAF without enough location or version detail.