1. Begin with the transport route
Identify whether the shipment is air, courier, multimodal or vessel transport. Write the complete named place or port and the Incoterms version in the agreed quote. The term determines defined delivery, risk and cost responsibilities; it does not replace the rest of the contract.
2. Compare the responsibility split
| Term | What to clarify |
|---|---|
| FCA | Seller delivers to the carrier or nominated person at the named place, with export clearance. Specify the precise point and loading arrangement. |
| FOB | Sea/inland waterway only; delivery on board at the named shipment port. Buyer arranges main carriage. |
| DAP | Seller brings goods to the named destination ready for unloading. Buyer handles import clearance and applicable import duties/taxes. |
| DDP | Seller brings goods to the named destination ready for unloading, and handles import clearance and applicable import duties/taxes. |
3. Verify the import arrangements
DDP requires an arrangement that can legally perform the seller’s import obligations in the destination. Verify the importer, carrier scope and tax responsibilities. Do not promise DDP merely because a destination is in the country selector.
For DAP, explain the buyer’s import responsibility and confirm how applicable charges are collected. Tax treatment depends on the actual transaction and registrations.
Before you proceed
0 / 5Sources & further reading
- FORMTRUTH: shipping and trade ↗
Platform workflow reference; the actual project, quote and order define its terms.
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