Decoding Incoterms® One-By-One: A Quick Guide for Import-Export Businesses
- Arne Mielken
- Mar 24, 2024
- 5 min read
Unlocking the Mystery: Every Incoterm®, Explained. The cheat sheet for import-export businesses to navigate shipping & delivery responsibilities.
There are 11 incoterms in Incoterms® 2020:
EXW (Ex Works)
FCA (Free Carrier)
FAS (Free Alongside Ship)
Free on board, or FOB (Free On Board)
CFR (Cost and Freight)
CIF (Cost, Insurance and Freight)
CPT (Carriage Paid To)
CIP (Carriage and Insurance Paid To)
DAP (Delivered At Place)
DPU (Delivered At Place Unloaded)
DDP (Delivered Duty Paid)
Here is what they mean in a quick cheat sheet:
1. Ex Works (EXW) Incoterms®
The seller makes the goods available at the seller's location, so the buyer can take over all the transportation costs and also bears the risks of bringing the goods to their final destination.
2. Free Carrier (FCA) Incoterms®
The seller is responsible for delivery of goods to a named carrier. Responsibility for cost and risk then passes to the buyer.
3. Free Alongside Ship (FAS) Incoterms®
The seller must place the goods alongside the ship at the named UK port. The risk of loss or damage to the goods passes when the goods are alongside the ship, and the buyer bears all the costs from that moment on.
4. Free on Board (FOB) Incoterms®
The seller is responsible for all costs involved in the process up until the goods are loaded on to a vessel at the named UK port. Once goods have been loaded, the buyer is responsible for any costs and risks involved in the onward shipment.
5. Cost and Freight (CFR) Incoterms®
The seller must pay the costs and freight to bring the goods to the overseas port of destination. The buyer pays costs and takes risk from then on.
6. Cost, Insurance and Freight (CIF) Incoterms®
This is the same as CFR. However, the seller must also obtain and pay for the insurance.
The default level of insurance cover under CIF is Institute Cargo Clauses (C). This applies to both 2010 and 2020 Incoterms.
7. CPT (Carriage Paid To) Incoterms®
Carriage Paid To (CPT) is an international trade term that means the seller delivers the goods at their expense to a carrier or another person nominated by the seller. The seller assumes all risks, including loss, until the goods are in the care of the nominated party.
8. Carrier and Insurance Paid to (CIP) Incoterms®
The seller pays for the carriage and insurance to the named overseas destination point, but risk passes when the goods are handed over to the first carrier. The default level of insurance cover under CIP is Institute Cargo Clauses (A). This is a higher level of cover for CIP than Incoterms 2010, which specified Institute Cargo Clauses (C).
9. Delivered at Place (DAP) Incoterms®
The exporter arranges carriage and delivery of the goods, ready for unloading at the named place. After the goods’ arrival, the customs clearance in the importing country needs to be completed by the buyer at his own cost and risk, including payment of all customs duties and taxes.
10. Delivered at Place Unloaded (DPU) Incoterms®
The exporter arranges carriage and delivery of the goods. The seller is required to unload the goods at this destination. After the goods’ arrival, the customs clearance in the importing country needs to be completed by the buyer at his own cost and risk, including payment of all customs duties and taxes. This is a retitling of the Incoterms 2010 term Delivered at Terminal (DAT), clarifying it that delivery can happen anywhere, not just at a terminal.
11. Delivered Duty Paid (DDP) Incoterms®
The seller is responsible for delivering the goods to the named place in the country of the buyer, and pays all costs in bringing the goods to the destination.
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