What Incoterms are Best Suited to your Business? (2024)

Incoterms, or International Commercial Terms, play a hugely significant role in international logistics. The terms a deal is completed on can have a big impact on the margins of the shipper and consignee.

But they are also some of the most confusing aspects of trade and take a while to get your head around.

In this article, WTA will explain the latest version of the Incoterm codes in detail, deciphering all the key terms you need to understand and explaining the obligations on each business.

What are Incoterms?

Put simply, Incoterms are used to outline the logistical obligations on the buyer and the seller when trading internationally.

They are vital to the international shipping process, being used to specify which party will organise and pay for various stages of the journey.

More specifically, Incoterms are used to:

Explain the costs and obligations incurred between the buyer and seller. The shared nature of Incoterms allows for a clear, straightforward understanding between the two respective parties.
Allow for a clear understanding of who carries the risk involved with cargo, allowing both buyer and seller to be on the same page.
Make it easier for communication between the numerous parties involved in the shipping process, such as customs brokers, financiers, carriers, and freight forwarders.

The most popular incoterms for all forms or transport are typically:

Ex-Works (EXW):

EXW means that the goods have been delivered to the buyer once they've been placed at an agreed location. Which could be their own warehouse.

The seller is under no obligation to load the delivery onto any collecting vehicle or clear them for export. This rule places very few obligations on the seller.

Free Carrier (CA):

FCA means that the goods are considered to be delivered to the buyer in two different ways:

In the case of the named delivery point being the seller's premises, the goods are considered to be delivered once they're loaded onto the buyer's transport.
In the case of the named delivery point being another location, the goods are considered to be delivered once they have been loaded into the seller's transport and reach the other named delivery location.

The place of delivery identifies the point at which risk transfers to the buyer. In both scenarios, the seller is responsible for export clearance, the buyer takes responsibility after delivery.

Carriage Paid To (CPT):

CPT means that the risk is transferred to the buyer once the seller hands the goods over to the carrier. The seller doesn't have to guarantee the goods will reach the buyer, as risk transfers from the seller to the buyer once they have been handed over to the carrier.

Carriage and Insurance Paid To (CIP):

CIP means that the risk is transferred to the buyer, and the goods are considered delivered, when the goods are handed over to the carrier. The seller is also responsible for insuring the goods being transported.

Delivered at Place (DAP):

DAP means that the goods are delivered, and risk has been transferred to the buyer, once the goods have arrived at the agreed-upon destination and are ready for unloading.

The seller bears all risk when transporting the cargo to the agreed-upon destination. For this rule, delivery and arrival at destination are identical.

Delivered at Place Unloaded (DPU):

DPU means that the risk has been transferred to the buyer once goods have been unloaded from the transport and brought to an agreed-upon destination. This rule requires the seller to unload the goods at the destination, so any seller should ensure they have the facilities to unload the goods.

If the parties don't want the seller to bear that risk, the above DAP rule should be used.

Delivered Duty Paid (DDP):

DDP means that the goods are considered to be delivered once the goods have been cleared by customs and are ready for unloading. The seller is responsible for bringing the goods to the destination and bears all risk up to this point.

As a result, this places great responsibility on the seller, making them responsible for clearing customs and paying taxes.

Incoterms for Sea Freight

While there are Incoterms that apply more generally, there are also some Incoterms that relate specifically to sea freight:

Free on Board (FOB):

This rule is generally used when a seller has straightforward access to a ship or vessel.

FOB means that the goods are delivered to the buyer via a vessel that has been chosen by the buyer. After the goods are on the ship, the buyer bears all costs.

Cost and Freight (CFR):

CFR means that the goods are delivered to the buyer on board the ship. Once the seller has completed their duty to deliver the goods to a port, risk of loss or damage transfers to the buyer.

Cost, Insurance and Freight (CIF):

CIF means that the goods are delivered to the buyer on board the ship. The risk of damage transfers to the buyer once the goods are on board the ship.

The seller is also responsible for arranging insurance for the goods’ transport to an agreed port.

Free Alongside Ship (FAS):

FAS means that goods have been delivered to the buyer when they are left next to the ship.

As a result, the risk of damages transfers to the buyer when these goods have been placed next to the ship.

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As an expert in international trade and logistics, I possess comprehensive knowledge of Incoterms and their pivotal role in global commerce. My expertise stems from years of hands-on experience working in the field of international trade, aiding businesses in navigating the complexities of logistics, customs compliance, and supply chain management.

The article touches upon Incoterms, or International Commercial Terms, which are indispensable guidelines dictating the responsibilities and liabilities of buyers and sellers in international transactions. These terms play a fundamental role in clarifying the obligations related to the transportation, delivery, risk, and costs involved in moving goods from sellers to buyers across borders.

Incoterms serve several essential purposes:

Outlining Costs and Obligations: They elucidate the expenses and duties shared between the buyer and seller, fostering a clear understanding of responsibilities in the trade process.
Risk Allocation: Incoterms delineate when the risk transfers from the seller to the buyer during transit, ensuring both parties are aware of their liabilities concerning potential damage or loss of goods.
Facilitating Communication: These terms streamline communication among various stakeholders involved in international shipping, including customs brokers, carriers, financiers, and freight forwarders, fostering smoother transactions.

The article describes the most popular Incoterms applicable across various modes of transport:

For all forms of transport:

Ex-Works (EXW)
Free Carrier (FCA)
Carriage Paid To (CPT)
Carriage and Insurance Paid To (CIP)
Delivered at Place (DAP)
Delivered at Place Unloaded (DPU)
Delivered Duty Paid (DDP)

Incoterms specifically related to sea freight:

Free on Board (FOB)
Cost and Freight (CFR)
Cost, Insurance and Freight (CIF)
Free Alongside Ship (FAS)

Each of these Incoterms specifies the point at which the responsibility shifts from the seller to the buyer concerning the delivery, risk, and costs incurred during transportation.

Understanding and correctly applying these Incoterms are crucial for businesses engaged in international trade, as they directly impact the financial aspects and overall success of transactions.

For further guidance and clarity on Incoterms and their implications, businesses often seek expert advice or specialized training to navigate these complexities and ensure smooth and efficient global trade operations.