In shipping, the term FOB means ‘Free on Board’ and refers to a popularly used Incoterm. It’s usually the best way to control your shipping costs. Incoterms are essentially rules for International Trade; they allocate the division of responsibility between the Shipper (usually the supplier) and the Consignee (usually the buyer) in the process of shipping the goods from one to the other. There are many Incoterms, however, FOB trade terms are one of the most widely used to import products. Under FOB shipping terms, the seller is responsible for all costs involved in the process up until the goods are on a vessel at the designated port. Once goods have been loaded onto the vessel the buyer is responsible for any costs and risks involved in the onward shipment.

When importing on Ex Works terms the buyer is responsible for the whole shipment from door to door. All costs and liabilities are with the buyer. Ex Works (sometimes shown as EXW or ExWorks) is a widely used international shipping term or Incoterm. The terms allocate the division of responsibility between the Shipper (usually the supplier) and the Consignee (usually the buyer) in the process of shipping the goods from one to the other. Under Ex Works shipping terms the only responsibility for a seller during the whole transportation process is to ensure that the goods they are selling are made available for collection at their premises.

CFR (Cost and Freight, sometimes called C&F or CNF) is a widely used international shipping terms or Incoterms. The terms allocate the division of responsibility between the Shipper (usually the supplier) and the Consignee (usually the buyer) in the process of shipping the goods from one to the other.When using CFR shipping terms, the seller’s invoice includes the cost of the goods and the freight to send them to the agreed country. The seller pays for everything up to and including the freight to a named destination port, the first charge to the buyer is the terminal handling at the destination port.

CIF “Cost, Insurance and Freight” means that the seller delivers the goods on board the vessel or procures the goods already so delivered. The risk of loss of or damage to the goods passes when the goods are on board the vessel. The seller must contract for and pay the costs and freight necessary to bring the goods to the named port of destination.‘The seller also contracts for insurance cover against the buyer’s risk of loss of or damage to the goods during the carriage. The buyer should note that under CIF the seller is required to obtain insurance only on minimum cover. Should the buyer wish to have more insurance protection, it will need either to agree as much expressly with the seller or to make its own extra insurance arrangements.”

FCA (Free Carrier) shipping terms require the seller to deliver the goods to a named location where the designated carrier operates. The seller also clears the goods for export from the country of origin. After this point all costs, risk and responsibility lies with the buyer.

FAS “Free Alongside Ship” means that the seller delivers when the goods are placed alongside the vessel (e.g., on a quay or a barge) nominated by the buyer at the named port of shipment. The risk of loss of or damage to the goods passes when the goods are alongside the ship, and the buyer bears all costs from that moment onwards.

CPT “Carriage Paid To” means that the seller delivers the goods to the carrier or another person nominated by the seller at an agreed place (if any such place is agreed between parties) and that the seller must contract for and pay the costs of carriage necessary to bring the goods to the named place of destination.

CIP “Carriage and Insurance Paid to” means that the seller delivers the goods to the carrier or another person nominated by the seller at an agreed place (if any such place is agreed between parties) and that the seller must contract for and pay the costs of carriage necessary to bring the goods to the named place of destination. ‘The seller also contracts for insurance cover against the buyer’s risk of loss of or damage to the goods during the carriage. The buyer should note that under CIP the seller is required to obtain insurance only on minimum cover. Should the buyer wish to have more insurance protection, it will need either to agree as much expressly with the seller or to make its own extra insurance arrangements.”

DAT (Delivered at Terminal) shipping terms state that the seller bears all of the responsibility up to and including unloading the goods at the named terminal at the destination port. Customs clearance, import duties, taxes, and delivery costs are paid for by the buyer.

DAP Delivered at place terms state that the seller pays for and takes responsibility for everything involved in the shipment all the way to delivering to an agreed destination. All the buyer pays for is import duties and taxes.

DDP “Delivered Duty Paid” means that the seller delivers the goods when the goods are placed at the disposal of the buyer, cleared for import on the arriving means of transport ready for unloading at the named place of destination. The seller bears all the costs and risks involved in bringing the goods to the place of destination and has an obligation to clear the goods not only for export but also for import, to pay any duty for both export and import and to carry out all customs formalities.