What are Incoterms?
Shipping goods across borders can be tricky. There are so many factors to consider for both importers and exporters. This is why Incoterms were created. In international commerce, Incoterms are a set of three-letter abbreviated trade terms established by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) to communicate different aspects of cross-border trade.
There are 11 main Incoterms in use in 2020. Incoterms’ primary function is to set the responsibilities of a seller and a buyer in a shipping agreement. For both Alibaba.com seller and buyer, it is important to familiarize yourself with the details of each Incoterm, so you can choose the one that makes the most sense for your next shipment.
Responsibilities connected to Incoterms
First all of, Incoterms define the following rules of the shipment process:
- Shipping and freight costs: Incoterms dictate which party will be responsible for the costs of shipping and freight.
- Point of Delivery: Incoterms indicate the point at which the responsibilities are transferred from the seller to the buyer (the delivery point).
- Import and export regulations: Incoterms dictate which party organizes the procedures used in importation and exportation.
- Insurance cover: Incoterms outline who is responsible for the costs of insurance.
Incoterm groups
Incoterms can also be sorted into 4 groups:
- E type (EXW): The seller bears little cost and responsibility.
- F type (FOB, FCA, FAS): The seller is responsible for transporting the goods to the buyer’s predefined transport medium, and then the buyer assumes all responsibilities from that point onwards.
- C type (CFR, CIF, CPT, CIP): The seller bears all costs and responsibility to the destination port. Then the risks are transferred to the buyers once the goods are loaded on the means of transport.
- D type (DDP, DAP): The seller bears maximum responsibility for cost and risks.
As you move from E to D type, the buyer’s risk, and responsibility decreases while the seller’s risk and responsibility and control increases.
Mode of transport
Not all Incoterms are suitable for all kinds of international shipments. Depending on your mode of transport (maritime, air, road, rail, etc.), you may have to opt for one over another.
Incoterms that can be applied to any mode of transportation:
- EXW (Ex Works)
- FCA (Free Carrier)
- CPT (Carriage Paid To)
- CIP (Carriage and Insurance Paid To)
- DAT (Delivered at Terminal)
- DAP (Delivered at Place)
- DDP (Delivered Duty Paid)
Incoterms that are only suitable for sea and inland waterway transport:
- FAS (Free Alongside Ship)
- FOB (Free on Board)
- CFR (Cost and Freight)
- CIF (Cost, Insurance, and Freight)
List and summary of Incoterms
From responsibilities in international shipping to customs clearance, duties payment, and insurance, there are many factors to consider when choosing Incoterms. Below we list out some of the most important and often used Incoterms:
Ex Works (EXW)
Ex Works places a minimal burden on the seller. The buyer must arrange and pay for all transportation and is also responsible for container loading. Seller does not need to load the goods on any collecting vehicle, nor does it need to clear the goods for export.
Free On Board (FOB)
The seller is responsible for all the costs and responsibilities and clearing the goods for export until the goods have crossed the ‘ships rail’ at the origin port. And then the buyer assumes all costs, responsibilities, and risks after that point.
Cost and Freight (CFR)
Seller arranges the transport of goods to named port. The seller delivers goods, cleared for export, loaded on board the vessel. Then the risks are transferred to the buyer once the goods are loaded on board.
Cost Insurance and Freight (CIF)
This Incoterm is the same as Cost and Freight (CFR) with the added responsibility that the seller also pays for the insurance.
Carriage Paid To (CPT)
The seller delivers goods to a carrier (named by the seller) and has full responsibility to cover the cost of the carriage of goods to the destination. All risks and costs transfer to the buyer after delivery of the goods.
Carriage and Insurance Paid To (CIP)
As with CPT, the seller is responsible for delivering the goods to a carrier and also paying the cost of transport. The seller is also responsible for insuring the goods.
Delivered at Place (DAP)
The seller is responsible for delivering the goods, ready for unloading from the arriving means of transport, at the named place. The buyer is responsible for import clearance and any applicable local taxes or import duties.
Delivered Duty Paid (DDP)
The seller assumes all cost, responsibility, and risk until goods are delivered to the buyer. That means the seller also pays for import clearance duties, insurance, and any other expenses related.
As you can see, there are varying levels of risk for the buyer and seller. Reference the graphic below to learn more about the obligations of the buyer and seller under different Incoterms.
How to choose the right Incoterm
Choosing the Incoterm that best suits your international shipment can be challenging, as it’s a process into which you need to put much thought. So how should you decide which is right for you?
The biggest factor is the experience level. FOB (Free on Board) is the most popular Incoterm and is often agreeable to both the buyer and seller. As a partnership, FOB often makes the most sense to have the seller be responsible for the goods when they are on his/her home soil, and then the buyer takes over for the overseas transit. Seller’s risks end once the cargo gets on the boat, and the buyer still has control over all expenses and the coordination of the cargo delivery to their final destination. FOB is supported through our Alibaba.com Freight tool.
If you are a more experienced importer and want to have absolute control over the shipping process and associated costs, and feel comfortable to take on more risk and responsibility to get it, you may want to choose EXW (Ex Works). EXW (Ex Works) is also supported through our Alibaba.com Freight tool.
While EXW places a minimum obligation on the seller, DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) represents the maximum obligation. It is the only rule that requires the seller to be responsible for import clearance and payment of duties and taxes. Therefore, the seller may also need to acquire an import license. An experienced seller can benefit from this system as they would have total control over costs, including factors to maximize their profit. However, importers/buyers who have more experience are more likely to avoid this shipping agreement. We don’t generally recommend DDP for ocean shipping. However, it is more common and makes more sense for air express or parcel shipping.
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