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Incoterms® define who does what, pays what, and bears risk at each handoff in an international sale of goods. The 2020 edition replaces DAT with DPU (Delivered at Place Unloaded), clarifies the FCA option for an on-board bill of lading, and distinguishes default insurance levels under CIF and CIP. This page is a practical summary; always confirm contract specifics against the official ICC text.
Legend: Seller = seller responsibility · Buyer = buyer responsibility. “Any mode” vs. “Sea/Waterway” reflects ICC scope.
| Charges / Tasks | Any Transport Mode | Sea / Inland Waterway Transport | Any Transport Mode | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EXW | FCA | FAS | FOB | CFR | CIF | CPT | CIP | DPU | DAP | DDP | |
| Packaging / marking | Seller | Seller | Seller | Seller | Seller | Seller | Seller | Seller | Seller | Seller | Seller |
| Loading at seller's site | Buyer | Seller* | Seller | Seller | Seller | Seller | Seller | Seller | Seller | Seller | Seller |
| Delivery to port / place of export | Buyer | Seller | Seller | Seller | Seller | Seller | Seller | Seller | Seller | Seller | Seller |
| Export clearance (duties, taxes) | Buyer | Seller | Seller | Seller | Seller | Seller | Seller | Seller | Seller | Seller | Seller |
| Origin terminal charges (OTHC) | Buyer | Buyer | Seller | Seller | Seller | Seller | Seller | Seller | Seller | Seller | Seller |
| Loading on main carriage | Buyer | Buyer | Buyer | Seller | Seller | Seller | Seller | Seller | Seller | Seller | Seller |
| Main carriage (freight) | Buyer | Buyer | Buyer | Buyer | Seller | Seller | Seller | Seller | Seller | Seller | Seller |
| Cargo insurance | Buyer | Buyer | Buyer | Buyer | Buyer | Seller† | Buyer | Seller‡ | Buyer | Buyer | Buyer |
| Destination terminal charges (DTHC) | Buyer | Buyer | Buyer | Buyer | Buyer | Buyer | Seller | Seller | Seller | Seller | Seller |
| Delivery to final place | Buyer | Buyer | Buyer | Buyer | Buyer | Buyer | Buyer | Buyer | Seller | Seller | Seller |
| Import clearance (duties, taxes) | Buyer | Buyer | Buyer | Buyer | Buyer | Buyer | Buyer | Buyer | Buyer | Buyer | Seller |
| Unloading at named place | Buyer | Buyer | Buyer | Buyer | Buyer | Buyer | Buyer | Buyer | Seller | Buyer | Buyer |
* Under FCA at the seller’s premises, the seller loads the buyer’s collecting vehicle. If FCA delivery is at another place, the seller is not responsible for unloading there.
† CIF: Seller procures marine insurance to destination; default minimum remains ICC(C).
‡ CIP: Seller procures insurance to destination; default minimum raised to ICC(A) under Incoterms® 2020.
Delivery/Risk: at seller's premises, not loaded.
Buyer arranges loading, export, freight, insurance, import.
Delivery/Risk: when handed to buyer's carrier at named place.
Seller clears for export. Optional: buyer may instruct carrier to issue an on-board B/L to the seller after loading (for L/C needs).
Delivery/Risk: alongside vessel at port of shipment.
Seller clears export; buyer loads and arranges main carriage.
Delivery/Risk: when on board the vessel at port of shipment.
Seller clears export and loads on board.
Delivery/Risk: on board at shipment port.
Seller pays freight to destination port;
buyer bears risk after loading.
Same as CFR + insurance.
Seller procures insurance (default
ICC(C)) to destination port.
Delivery/Risk: when given to first carrier.
Seller pays carriage to named place; buyer bears risk after delivery to carrier.
As CPT + insurance.
Seller procures insurance (default
ICC(A)) to named place of destination.
Delivery/Risk: when goods are unloaded at named place.
Seller handles unloading; buyer clears import.
Delivery/Risk: at named place, ready for unloading.
Buyer unloads and clears import.
Delivery/Risk: at named place, ready for unloading.
Seller handles import clearance, duties, taxes as well.
Incoterms® is a registered trademark of ICC. This summary is for general guidance only and does not replace the official ICC rules or legal advice. Last updated: 12 Aug 2025.
