Incoterms
Incoterms – International Commercial Terms
Incoterms (International Commercial Terms) specify, with binding force, international delivery conditions.
We work worldwide solely with the Incoterms, and our contracts contain several clauses of such international
trading conditions.
Incoterms are subdivided into four groups: the sequence of the clauses reflects the increasing responsibility
on the part of Velox for the vehicles that are to be supplied.
E Clause: collection clause, the transport costs and risks are borne by the Buyer.
F Clause: the main transport costs and risk are borne by the Buyer.
C Clause: the main transport costs are borne by the Seller, while the Buyer is responsible for the risks.
D Clause: arrival clause, the transport costs and risks are borne by the Seller.
The C clauses are so called two point clauses because the passing of risks and costs vary. For example,
in the case of the CIF clause, the Seller is responsible only up to the level above the ship’s railing. It is
required to pay for the entire procedure, the sea freight and the sea insurance. If risk and costs pass to
the same party, for example in the case of FOB, the clause is referred to as a one-point clause.
E-Clause – the collection clause
EXW (ex works):
The Seller is merely under obligation to make the goods available at its premises (factory, warehouse or
plant). All costs regarding transport, insurance and export are borne by the Buyer. The risk of loss and
damage passes to the Buyer upon provision at the agreed location. The carrier is required to load the
material. If the Principal causes damage in the case of lading, the insurance company is not liable.
F Clauses – main transport payable by the Buyer
FCA (free carrier):
The FCA Clause (originally FOT = free on truck) places the Seller under obligation to hand over the goods to
a carrier at a specified location, and clear it for export. The cost and risk of the transport is borne by the Buyer
from that point on.
If the stated location is in the Seller’s plant, the Seller is also responsible for loading the means of transport.
If the stated location is elsewhere, the Seller is not responsible for loading the means of transport.
FAS (free alongside ship):
The FAS Clause is a modification of the FCA Clause. The Seller need not supply the goods in a stated carrier,
but must place them alongside a certain ship in the shipping port. The Buyer clears the goods for exporting,
and carries the cost and risk of the transport from the shipping port to the place of receipt.
FOB (free on board):
In trade via sea ship or inland vessel, the Seller undertakes in the case of the FOB Clause in extension of the
FAS Clause to bring the goods on board of the agreed ship. From the point above the level of the ship’s railing,
the obligation to carry costs and risk of the transport passes to the Buyer. This clause is very typical, and is
usually applied in the case of price quotations to stock exchanges. FOB is a so-called one-point clause
because the passing of risk and costs occur at the same place – in this case from the level above the ship’s
railing.
FOA (free on airplane):
Same conditions as in the case of FOB, only in relation to air transport.
C Clauses – main transport payable by the Seller
CFR (cost and freight):
The CRF Clause is used in the case of transport operations by ship. The Seller only needs to ensure that the
goods are transported in a proper condition above the ship’s railing, i.e. the risk of damage or destruction on
the ship passes to the Buyer. However, the Seller is required to pay costs and freight (including export) that
arise up until delivery in the port of destination. The CFR Clause is similar to the CIF Clause which, however,
contains an insurance policy that is to be concluded by the Seller.In that respect, the insurance covers just
the transport risk. If goods are not transported by ship, Consideration is given to the CPT Clause
(explanation below).
CIF (cost, insurance, freight):
The CIF Clause is a transport clause frequently used in overseas transactions, whereby the Seller is
responsible for the cost of delivery, insurance and freight up to the port of destination. The Seller is
required to carry out the customs clearance formalities in the export country.
CPT (carriage paid to…):
Freight free means that the Seller carries the cost of the main transport. All other costs (unloading costs,
customs duties, taxes, levies and customs formalities) are the Buyer’s responsibility. The risk of loss and
damage pass to the Buyer upon handover to the carrier (in the case of several carriers upon handover to
the first).
CIP (carriage and insurance paid to…):
This Clause places the Seller under obligation to carry the transport costs (“freight free”, additional costs
such as customs duties are borne by the Buyer as in the case of CPT) and take out, and pay for, insurance
cover for the transport The risk of damage or loss is carried by the Buyer from the handover to the carrier.
However, in the event of damage, the Buyer is reimbursed by the insurance company. Without an additional
agreement, the Seller is only under obligation to take out insurance with minimum cover.
D Clauses – arrival clauses
DAF (delivered at frontier):
By way of the DAF Clause, the Seller undertakes to deliver the goods on a means of transport up to the border,
and make them available to the Buyer. However, the Seller must deal with the export customs clearance (AZA)
because otherwise the Buyer could not import the goods.
DES (delivered ex ship):
In the case of the DES Clause, the Seller undertakes to transport the goods per ship to the port of destination.
However, he is no longer responsible for the unloading. The cost and risk is borne by the Buyer with effect from
the unloading.
DEQ (delivered ex quay):
In the case of the DEQ Clause, the Seller is required to unload the goods (or make arrangements accordingly)
and make them available on the quay. The risk and cost pass to the Buyer at that point. The import customs
clearance is carried out at the importer’s (Buyer’s) cost.
DDU (delivered duty unpaid):
The DDU Clause places the Seller under obligation to clear the goods for import and make them available
at a certain location on a means of transport. However, the Buyer is required to pay the customs costs. It is
also required to deal with the customs clearance formalities. Unloading is the Buyer’s responsibility.
DDP (delivered duty paid):
The DDP Clause is the most comfortable for the Buyer. The Seller is required to carry all transport costs
and risks up until the place of destination, including customs duties. Unloading is the Buyer’s responsibility.