For the official rules, see the ICC Incoterms 2020 overview, and our related guide on cargo insurance basics. CPT vs CIP incoterms confusion trips up even experienced shippers, since both terms transfer risk at the same point in the journey but differ in one critical way: who pays for insurance. CPT and CIP get lumped … Read more
Getting EXW vs FCA incoterms right matters far more for container shipments than most exporters realize, since choosing the wrong one can leave the seller legally responsible for export customs clearance and loading risks they never intended to carry. EXW (“Ex Works”) looks like the simplest Incoterm on paper — the seller’s only job is … Read more
Getting DDP vs DAP right in a sales contract determines exactly who pays import duty and who bears customs risk at the border, and confusing the two can leave one party stuck with an unexpected bill they never budgeted for. DDP and DAP get confused constantly because they look almost identical on paper — both … Read more
FOB vs CIF is one of the most misunderstood Incoterm comparisons in international trade, and getting it wrong can shift thousands of dollars of cost and risk onto the wrong party. This guide walks through FOB vs CIF with concrete examples, so you can see exactly where risk transfers and who pays for what under … Read more
