Group E (Departure) : Understanding Incoterms
Group E (Departure) : Understanding Incoterms
Group E (Departure) : Understanding Incoterms
Here's a handy guide to Incoterms, a set of international rules for the interpretation of the most commonly used trade terms. Applying Incoterms to sale and purchase contracts makes global trade easier and helps partners in different countries understand one another. When global companies enter into contracts to buy and sell goods they are free to negotiate specific terms. These terms include the price, quantity, and characteristics of the goods. Every international contract also contains what is referred to as an Incoterm, or international commercial term. There are 13 main terms and several secondary terms that denote the points at which shipper, carrier, and consignee risk and responsibility start and end. The parties to the transaction select the Incoterms, which determine who pays the cost of each transportation segment, who is responsible for loading and unloading of goods, and who bears the risk of loss at any given point during an international shipment. Incoterms also influence customs valuation basis of imported merchandise. The International Chamber of Commerce in Paris oversees and administers Incoterms, and they are adhered to by the major trading nations of the world. The ICC first published this set of international rules in 1936 as "INCOTERMS 1936." Incoterms are amended every 10 years. There are currently 13 Incoterms in use, and they are described below. Ex-works, Free on Board, Cost Insurance Freight, and Delivery Duty Paid are the most frequently used Incoterms. Incoterms are recognized globally by courts and other authorities. Frequently, parties to a contract are unaware of the different trading practices in their respective countries. This lack of knowledge can lead to misunderstandings and disputes between customer and supplier. The incorporation of Incoterms in international sales contracts reduces this risk.
Group E (Departure)
EXW: Ex-Works
The seller, or exporter, makes the goods available to the buyer, or importer at the seller's premises. The buyer is responsible for all transportation costs, duties, and insurance, and accepts risk of loss of goods immediately after the goods are purchased and placed outside the factory door. The Ex-Works price does not include loading goods onto a truck or vessel, and no allowance is made for clearing customs. If FOB is the customs valuation basis of the goods in the country of destination, the transportation and insurance costs from the seller's premises to the port of export must be added to the Ex-Works price. Under EXW, sellers minimize their risk by making the goods available at their factory or place of business.
Sellers transport the goods from their place of business, clear the goods for export, and place them alongside the vessel at the port of export, where the risk of loss shifts to the buyer. The buyer is responsible for loading the goods onto the vessel, unless specified otherwise, and for paying all costs involved in shipping goods to the final destination.
CIF can be used as an Incoterm only when the international transport of goods is at least partially by water. If FOB is the customs valuation basis, the international insurance and freight costs must be deducted from the CIF price. A CIF transaction will read CIF, port of destination. For example, assuming that goods are exported to the Port of Los Angeles, a CIF transaction would read "CIF Los Angeles."
Group D (Arrival)
DAF: Delivered At Frontier
The seller, or exporter, is responsible for all costs involved in delivering the goods to the named point and place at the frontier (the border between the two countries). Risk of loss transfers at the frontier. The buyer must pay the costs and bear the risk of unloading the goods, clearing customs, and transporting the goods to the final destination. If FOB is the customs valuation basis, the international insurance and freight costs must be deducted from the DAF price.
The seller, or exporter, is responsible for all costs involved in transporting the goods to the wharf (quay) at the port of destination. The buyer must pay duties, clear customs, and pay the cost and bear the risk of loss from that point forward. If FOB is the customs valuation basis, the international insurance and freight costs, in addition to unloading costs, must be deducted from the DEQ price.