| Term | Name | Export clearance | Main freight | Import clearance & duty | Key point |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EXW | Ex Works | Buyer | Buyer | Buyer | Seller only makes goods available at its premises. |
| FCA | Free Carrier | Seller | Buyer | Buyer | Seller clears for export and hands goods to buyer’s carrier. |
| CPT | Carriage Paid To | Seller | Seller | Buyer | Seller pays freight; risk passes at first carrier. |
| CIP | Carriage and Insurance Paid To | Seller | Seller | Buyer | Like CPT, plus seller insures (higher cover). |
| DAP | Delivered at Place | Seller | Seller | Buyer | Seller delivers to named place, not unloaded. |
| DPU | Delivered at Place Unloaded | Seller | Seller | Buyer | Seller delivers and unloads at named place. |
| DDP | Delivered Duty Paid | Seller | Seller | Seller | Seller bears all costs including import duty. |
| FAS | Free Alongside Ship | Seller | Buyer | Buyer | Sea only. Goods placed alongside vessel. |
| FOB | Free on Board | Seller | Buyer | Buyer | Sea only. Risk passes once goods are on board. |
| CFR | Cost and Freight | Seller | Seller | Buyer | Sea only. Seller pays freight; risk passes on board. |
| CIF | Cost, Insurance and Freight | Seller | Seller | Buyer | Sea only. Like CFR, plus seller insures. |
Choose the term that matches who controls the freight. For Indian exporters, FOB, CIF and CFR are common for sea; FCA and CPT work better for containers handed over inland.