| EXW |
Ex Works |
At seller's premises |
Any |
Avoid for export — seller carries no export obligation but buyer has all risk from day 1 |
| FCA |
Free Carrier |
Named place — after handover to carrier |
Any |
✅ Best for India rail/road to port. Seller clears export. Buyer arranges main carriage. |
| CPT |
Carriage Paid To |
At destination — named place |
Any |
Good for India-EU rail or multimodal. Seller pays freight, risk transfers at first carrier. |
| CIP |
Carriage & Insurance Paid To |
At destination |
Any |
CPT + minimum insurance (Institute Cargo Clause A). Good for high-value goods. |
| DAP |
Delivered at Place |
At named place, uncleared |
Any |
✅ Very common for India-EU. Seller delivers to EU buyer's door. Buyer handles import duty. |
| DPU |
Delivered at Place Unloaded |
Unloaded at named place |
Any |
Seller unloads at destination. Uncommon but used for bulk/breakbulk. |
| DDP |
Delivered Duty Paid |
At named place, duty paid |
Any |
Seller takes all responsibility including EU duty. High risk for seller — know all EU duties first. |
| FAS |
Free Alongside Ship |
Alongside vessel at named port |
Sea only |
Uncommon. Used for bulk grain, mineral exports. |
| FOB |
Free on Board |
On board vessel at named port |
Sea only |
✅ Most common for Indian commodity exports. Seller loads, buyer takes risk once on board. |
| CFR |
Cost & Freight |
At named destination port |
Sea only |
Seller pays ocean freight, risk passes on board. Common for India-EU sea freight. |
| CIF |
Cost, Insurance & Freight |
At named destination port |
Sea only |
✅ CIF Rotterdam/Hamburg very common for Indian pharma, chemicals. Seller pays freight + insurance. |