07 Jun 2024

Do you understand these 13 trade terms of freight forwarders? There must be a clear line of responsibility

The basic terms of freight forwarders are EXW, FCA, FAS, FOB, CFR, CIF, CPT, CIP, DAF, DES, DEQ, DDU, DDP.

These 13 trade terms, from left to right, have increasing obligations for the seller and vice versa for the buyer. In other words, in the above trade terms, the seller bears the least liability under the EXW term, while the seller bears the most liability under the DDP term.

EXW factory delivery

Delivery is completed when the goods are delivered to the Buyer at the Seller's place of residence or other designated place (such as workshop, factory or warehouse) without the Seller completing export customs clearance or loading the goods on any means of transport.

This term is the one for which the seller is least liable.

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FCA delivery to carrier

It means that as long as the seller delivers the goods to the carrier designated by the buyer at the designated place and goes through the export customs clearance procedures, the delivery is completed.

It should be noted that the choice of place of delivery has an impact on the obligation to load and discharge goods at that place. The term can be used for various modes of transport, including multimodal transport.

FAS side delivery

It means that the seller delivers the goods alongside the ship at the named loading port, that is, the delivery is completed. The buyer must bear all risks of loss of or damage to the goods from that time.

FOB term

Refers to the name of the goods + quantity + unit price +FOB+ port of shipment. The risk transfer is when it goes over the side of the ship. As the goods did not cross the ship's rail, the liability should be borne by the seller's company.

If in the process of lifting, the boom breaks, the cement does not fall into the sea but into the ship board, then the risk is transferred to the buyer, and this responsibility should be borne by the buyer company.

CFR cost and freight

It means that the seller completes the delivery of the goods over the ship's rail at the port of loading, and the seller must pay the freight and expenses required to transport the goods to the named port of destination.

However, the risk of loss of or damage to the goods after delivery, as well as any additional costs due to various events, is passed from the seller to the buyer.

The term applies only to sea or inland waterway transport. If the parties do not intend to deliver over the ship's rail, the CPT term should be used.

CIF cost, insurance and freight

It means that the seller completes the delivery when the goods cross the ship's rail at the port of loading. The term applies only to sea and inland waterway transport.

If the parties do not intend to deliver over the ship's rail, the term CIP shall be used.

CPT freight payable to (named destination)

It means that the seller delivers the goods to its designated carrier (the carrier), but the seller must also pay the freight to get the goods to the destination. That is, the buyer bears all risks and other costs after delivery.

CIP freight and insurance

It means that the seller delivers the goods to its designated international forwarder, but the seller must also pay the freight to the destination of the goods, that is, the buyer bears all the risks and additional costs of the seller after delivery.

The term can be applied to various modes of transport, including multimodal transport.

DAF border delivery

It refers to the completion of delivery when the seller at the designated place and specific delivery point at the border, before the customs border of the neighboring country, the goods that have not yet been unloaded on the means of transport that are still in delivery are handed over to the buyer for disposal, and the customs clearance procedures for the export of the goods have been completed but the customs clearance procedures for the import have not yet been completed.

Free on board DES port

It means that at the designated port of destination, the goods are handed over to the buyer on board the ship for disposal, but the goods are not cleared for import, and the seller completes the delivery.

The term is used only when the goods are carried on board the ship at the port of destination by sea or river transport or multimodal transport.

Ex quay DEQ destination port

It means that as long as the seller delivers the goods to the carrier designated by the buyer at the designated place and goes through the export customs clearance procedures, the delivery is completed.

It should be noted that the choice of place of delivery has an impact on the obligation to load and discharge goods at that place. The term can be used for various modes of transport, including multimodal transport.

DDU delivered without duty

It means that the seller gives the goods to the buyer at the designated destination for disposal, does not go through import formalities, and does not unload the goods from the delivery means of transport, that is, the delivery is completed.

The term applies to various modes of transport, but DES or DEQ terms should be used when the goods are delivered on board or at the dock at the port of destination.

DDP delivered duty paid

It means that the seller has completed the import customs clearance procedures at the designated destination, and will deliver the goods that have not yet been unloaded on the delivery vehicle to the buyer to complete the delivery.

Because the seller bears the greatest responsibility under the DDP term, this term should not be used if the seller cannot directly or indirectly obtain an import license; If the parties want the buyer to bear the risks and costs of the import, the DDU term should be used.

The term applies to various modes of transport, but DES or DEQ terms should be used when the goods are delivered on board or at the dock at the port of destination.