Incoterms 2010 - International Terms of Trade

The International Chamber of Commerce has released the table of contents to the Incoterms 2010. Incoterms 2010 consists of only 11 Incoterms, a reduction from the 13 Incoterms 2000.

The Incoterms 2010 are organized into two categories:

Incoterms for any Mode or Modes of Transport:

EXW - Ex Works
FCA - Free Carrier
CPT - Carriage Paid To
CIP - Carriage and Insurance Paid
DAT - Delivered At Terminal (new)
DAP - Delivered At Place (new)
DDP - Delivered Duty Paid

Incoterms for Sea and Inland Waterway Transport Only:

FAS - Free Alongside Ship
FOB - Free On Board
CFR - Cost and Freight
CIF - Cost, Insurance and Freight

The reduction in Incoterms from 13 to 11 different terms was accomplished by substituting two new Incoterms, DAT (Delivered at Terminal) and DAP (Delivered at Place), for DAF (Delivered at Frontier), DES (Delivered Ex-Ship), DEQ (Delivered Ex-Quay) and DDU (Delivered Duty Unpaid).

Incoterms 2010 also addresses duties to provide information regarding security-related clearances, such as Importer Security Filings and other chain-of-custody information.

Contrary to some predictions, Incoterm FAS remains in Incoterms 2010, since that Incoterm is important in bulk and break-bulk trade.

This interpretation is provided as a guide only.

EXW (Ex Works)

The buyer bears all costs and risks involved in taking the goods from the seller's premises to the desired destination. The seller's obligation is to make the goods available at his premises (works, factory, warehouse). This term represents minimum obligation for the seller. This term can be used across all modes of transport.

FCA (Free Carrier)

The seller's obligation is to hand over the goods, cleared for export, into the charge of the carrier named by the buyer at the named place or point. If no precise point is indicated by the buyer, the seller may choose within the place or range stipulated where the carrier shall take the goods into his charge. When the seller's assistance is required in making the contract with the carrier the seller may act at the buyers risk and expense. This term can be used across all modes of transport.

CPT (Carriage paid to.)

The seller pays the freight for the carriage of goods to the named destination. The risk of loss or damage to the goods occurring after the delivery has been made to the carrier is transferred from the seller to the buyer. This term requires the seller to clear the goods for export and can be used across all modes of transport.

CIP (Carriage and insurance paid to.)

The seller has the same obligations as under CPT but has the responsibility of obtaining insurance against the buyer's risk of loss or damage of goods during the carriage. The seller is required to clear the goods for export however is only required to obtain insurance on minimum coverage. This term requires the seller to clear the goods for export and can be used across all modes of transport.

DAT (Delivered at Terminal) - NEW TERM

Seller delivers when the goods, once unloaded from the arriving means of transport, are placed at the disposal of the buyer at a named terminal at the named port or place of destination. "Terminal" includes quay, warehouse, container yard or road, rail or air terminal. Both parties should agree the terminal and if possible a point within the terminal at which point the risks will transfer from the seller to the buyer of the goods. If it is intended that the seller is to bear all the costs and responsibilities from the terminal to another point, DAP or DDP may apply.

Responsibilities

Seller is responsible for the costs and risks to bring the goods to the point specified in the contract
Seller should ensure that their forwarding contract mirrors the contract of sale
Seller is responsible for the export clearance procedures
Importer is responsible to clear the goods for import, arrange import customs formalities, and pay import duty
If the parties intend the seller to bear the risks and costs of taking the goods from the terminal to another place then the DAP term may apply

DAP (Delivered At Place) - ** NEW TERM **

Seller delivers the goods when they are placed at the disposal of the buyer on the arriving means of transport ready for unloading at the named place of destination. Parties are advised to specify as clearly as possible the point within the agreed place of destination, because risks transfer at this point from seller to buyer. If the seller is responsible for clearing the goods, paying duties etc., consideration should be given to using the DDP term.

Responsibilities

Seller bears the responsibility and risks to deliver the goods to the named place
Seller is advised to obtain contracts of carriage that match the contract of sale
Seller is required to clear the goods for export
If the seller incurs unloading costs at place of destination, unless previously agreed they are not entitled to recover any such costs
Importer is responsible for effecting customs clearance, and paying any customs duties

DDP (Delivered duty paid)

The seller is responsible for delivering the goods to the named place in the country of importation, including all costs and risks in bringing the goods to import destination. This includes duties, taxes and customs formalities. This term may be used irrespective of the mode of transport.

FAS (Free Alongside ship)

The seller has fulfilled his obligation when goods have been placed alongside the vessel at the port of shipment. The buyer is responsible for all costs and risks of loss or damage to the goods from that moment. The buyer is also required to clear the goods for export. This term should only be used for sea or inland waterway transport.

FOB (Free on Board)

Once the goods have passed over the ship's rail at the port of export the buyer is responsible for all costs and risks of loss or damage to the goods from that point. The seller is required to clear the goods for export. This term should only be used for sea or inland waterway transport.

CFR (Cost and Freight)

The seller must pay the costs and freight required in bringing the goods to the named port of destination. The risk of loss or damage is transferred from seller to buyer when the goods pass over the ship's rail in the port of shipment. The seller is required to clear the goods for export. This term should only be used for sea or inland waterway transport.

CIF (Cost, Insurance and Freight)

The seller has the same obligations as under CFR however he is also required to provide insurance against the buyer's risk of loss or damage to the goods during transit. The seller is required to clear the goods for export. This term should only be used for sea or inland waterway transport.