Free trade reference · checked 19 October 2026

Incoterms® 2020 Chart

Who does what under each of the 11 rules: where risk passes to the buyer, who books and pays the main carriage, who clears export and import, who pays import duties and who must insure.

The 11 rules on one page

A summary, not the rules. Each rule links to its notes and sources below.

Seller seller's task Buyer buyer's task seller pays up to here risk passes here

Incoterms® 2020 chart · TradeQuote Studio · quotepad.net/incoterms-2020-chart · checked 19 October 2026

Incoterms® 2020 rules compared: risk transfer, main carriage, customs clearance, import duties and insurance
RuleRisk passes to buyerBooks main carriagePays main freightExport clearanceImport clearanceImport duties & taxesInsurance Costs and riskQuote link
Any mode (7 rules)
EXWEx WorksEXW + named place of deliverySeller's premises, not loadedBuyerBuyerBuyerBuyerBuyerNoneDraft a quote
FCAFree CarrierFCA + named place of deliveryHanded to the buyer's carrierBuyerBuyerSellerBuyerBuyerNoneDraft a quote
CPTCarriage Paid ToCPT + named place of destinationHanded to the first carrierSellerSellerSellerBuyerBuyerNoneDraft a quote
CIPCarriage and Insurance Paid ToCIP + named place of destinationHanded to the first carrierSellerSellerSellerBuyerBuyerSellerInstitute Cargo Clauses (A) or similar, at least 110% of the contract priceDraft a quote
DAPDelivered at PlaceDAP + named place of destinationAt destination, ready for unloadingSellerSellerSellerBuyerBuyerNone (seller bears transit risk)Draft a quote
DPUDelivered at Place UnloadedDPU + named place of destinationAt destination, once unloadedSellerSellerSellerBuyerBuyerNone (seller bears transit risk)Draft a quote
DDPDelivered Duty PaidDDP + named place of destinationAt destination, ready for unloadingSellerSellerSellerSellerSellerNone (seller bears transit risk)Draft a quote
Sea and inland waterway (4 rules)
FASFree Alongside ShipFAS + named port of shipmentAlongside the ship at the port of shipmentBuyerBuyerSellerBuyerBuyerNoneDraft a quote
FOBFree on BoardFOB + named port of shipmentOn board at the port of shipmentBuyerBuyerSellerBuyerBuyerNoneDraft a quote
CFRCost and FreightCFR + named port of destinationOn board at the port of shipmentSellerSellerSellerBuyerBuyerNoneDraft a quote
CIFCost, Insurance and FreightCIF + named port of destinationOn board at the port of shipmentSellerSellerSellerBuyerBuyerSellerInstitute Cargo Clauses (C) or similar, at least 110% of the contract priceDraft a quote

Incoterms® is a registered trademark of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC). Incoterms® and the Incoterms® 2020 logo are trademarks of ICC; use of these trademarks does not imply association with, approval of or sponsorship by ICC. The Incoterms® Rules are protected by copyright owned by ICC. This chart is TradeQuote's own summary of the Incoterms® 2020 rules; the rules themselves are in the ICC publication, which prevails. Rules allocate costs, risks and tasks only: they do not decide the price, payment terms or when ownership passes. Strip stages: seller's premises · handed to carrier · alongside ship · on board · at destination · unloaded.

Rule-by-rule notes

Each rule is used with a named place: the place of delivery for EXW, FCA, FAS and FOB, and the destination for the C and D rules. The note under each rule shows how to write it in a contract or quotation.

EXW Ex Works Any mode

Risk passes
Goods are placed at the buyer's disposal at the named place, usually the seller's premises, without loading them on the collecting vehicle.
Main carriage
Booked and paid by the buyer.
Customs
Export: buyer. Import: buyer. Import duties and taxes: buyer.
Insurance
None.

The seller does not load and does not clear for export; it only helps with documents and information. The buyer must be able to complete export formalities in the seller's country. Sources: [10][14][9]

Draft a quotation with EXW Write it as: EXW + named place of delivery + Incoterms® 2020

FCA Free Carrier Any mode

Risk passes
At the seller's premises: once loaded on the buyer's vehicle. At any other named place: on the seller's vehicle, ready for unloading by the buyer's carrier.
Main carriage
Booked and paid by the buyer.
Customs
Export: seller. Import: buyer. Import duties and taxes: buyer.
Insurance
None.

2020: the parties can agree that the buyer has its carrier issue an on-board bill of lading to the seller, useful for letters of credit. Either party may use its own vehicle. Sources: [4][11][3]

Draft a quotation with FCA Write it as: FCA + named place of delivery + Incoterms® 2020

CPT Carriage Paid To Any mode

Risk passes
When the seller hands the goods to the first carrier at the agreed place of delivery, even though the seller pays carriage all the way to the named destination.
Main carriage
Booked and paid by the seller.
Customs
Export: seller. Import: buyer. Import duties and taxes: buyer.
Insurance
None.

Two critical points: risk passes at origin, costs are paid to destination. The buyer carries the transit risk without insurance cover unless it buys some. Sources: [5][12]

Draft a quotation with CPT Write it as: CPT + named place of destination + Incoterms® 2020

CIP Carriage and Insurance Paid To Any mode

Risk passes
As CPT: risk passes when the goods are handed to the first carrier; the seller pays carriage and insurance to the named destination.
Main carriage
Booked and paid by the seller.
Customs
Export: seller. Import: buyer. Import duties and taxes: buyer.
Insurance
Seller: Institute Cargo Clauses (A) or similar, at least 110% of the contract price.

2020: cover raised from Clauses (C) to Clauses (A), "all risks", unless the parties agree otherwise. The buyer can claim on the policy. Sources: [5][6][1][12]

Draft a quotation with CIP Write it as: CIP + named place of destination + Incoterms® 2020

DAP Delivered at Place Any mode

Risk passes
When the goods are placed at the buyer's disposal on the arriving means of transport, ready for unloading, at the named destination.
Main carriage
Booked and paid by the seller.
Customs
Export: seller. Import: buyer. Import duties and taxes: buyer.
Insurance
None (seller bears transit risk).

The buyer unloads and clears import. The seller may use its own transport. Sources: [13][1][3]

Draft a quotation with DAP Write it as: DAP + named place of destination + Incoterms® 2020

DPU Delivered at Place Unloaded Any mode

Risk passes
When the goods have been unloaded from the arriving means of transport and placed at the buyer's disposal at the named destination.
Main carriage
Booked and paid by the seller.
Customs
Export: seller. Import: buyer. Import duties and taxes: buyer.
Insurance
None (seller bears transit risk).

The only rule in which the seller unloads at destination. Replaces DAT (Delivered at Terminal) from 2010; the destination no longer has to be a terminal. Sources: [13][1][9][14]

Draft a quotation with DPU Write it as: DPU + named place of destination + Incoterms® 2020

DDP Delivered Duty Paid Any mode

Risk passes
At the named destination, cleared for import and ready for unloading on the arriving means of transport.
Main carriage
Booked and paid by the seller.
Customs
Export: seller. Import: seller. Import duties and taxes: seller.
Insurance
None (seller bears transit risk).

The only rule in which the seller clears import and pays import duties and taxes. Check that the seller can legally do this in the buyer's country. Sources: [13][14]

Draft a quotation with DDP Write it as: DDP + named place of destination + Incoterms® 2020

FAS Free Alongside Ship Sea and inland waterway

Risk passes
When the goods are placed alongside the vessel nominated by the buyer, for example on the quay or a barge, at the named port of shipment.
Main carriage
Booked and paid by the buyer.
Customs
Export: seller. Import: buyer. Import duties and taxes: buyer.
Insurance
None.

The buyer pays loading onto the vessel. Typical for bulk or break-bulk cargo, not containers. Sources: [11][9]

Draft a quotation with FAS Write it as: FAS + named port of shipment + Incoterms® 2020

FOB Free on Board Sea and inland waterway

Risk passes
When the goods are on board the vessel nominated by the buyer at the named port of shipment.
Main carriage
Booked and paid by the buyer.
Customs
Export: seller. Import: buyer. Import duties and taxes: buyer.
Insurance
None.

Designed for port-to-port sea transport. Containers are usually handed over at a terminal before loading, so ICC points container cargo to FCA instead. Sources: [4][11][14]

Draft a quotation with FOB Write it as: FOB + named port of shipment + Incoterms® 2020

CFR Cost and Freight Sea and inland waterway

Risk passes
When the goods are on board the vessel at the port of shipment, although the seller pays the freight to the named port of destination.
Main carriage
Booked and paid by the seller.
Customs
Export: seller. Import: buyer. Import duties and taxes: buyer.
Insurance
None.

Like CPT for sea transport: risk passes at the port of shipment, freight is paid to the destination port. Sources: [7][12][14]

Draft a quotation with CFR Write it as: CFR + named port of destination + Incoterms® 2020

CIF Cost, Insurance and Freight Sea and inland waterway

Risk passes
As CFR: risk passes once the goods are on board at the port of shipment; the seller pays freight and insurance to the named port of destination.
Main carriage
Booked and paid by the seller.
Customs
Export: seller. Import: buyer. Import duties and taxes: buyer.
Insurance
Seller: Institute Cargo Clauses (C) or similar, at least 110% of the contract price.

Cover stays at the minimum Clauses (C) level in 2020. Buyers of manufactured goods often ask for Clauses (A) in the contract or insure the gap themselves. Sources: [7][6][8][1][14]

Draft a quotation with CIF Write it as: CIF + named port of destination + Incoterms® 2020

What changed from Incoterms® 2010 to 2020

Incoterms® 2020 has applied since 1 January 2020. A contract still follows whichever version it names, so an old quotation that says "Incoterms 2010" is read under the 2010 rules.

  1. DAT became DPU. Delivered at Terminal was renamed Delivered at Place Unloaded. Any place can be the destination, and the seller still unloads. [1][3][9]
  2. Higher insurance under CIP. CIP now requires cover matching Institute Cargo Clauses (A); CIF keeps the Clauses (C) minimum. Parties can still agree a different level. [1][3][6]
  3. On-board bill of lading under FCA. For sea shipments sold FCA, the parties can agree that the buyer instructs its carrier to issue an on-board bill of lading to the seller after loading. [1][3]
  4. Own means of transport. FCA, DAP, DPU and DDP now allow the seller or buyer to carry the goods in its own vehicle instead of hiring a carrier. [3]
  5. Security requirements. Each rule now allocates security-related requirements for transport (article A4) and for export and import clearance (A7). [1][3]
  6. All costs in one place. Each rule now lists the costs each party pays in articles A9 and B9. [1][3]

Some guides and freight forwarder charts online still show the 2010 set (with DAT) or the old CIP insurance level. Check the year printed on any chart you reuse.

Common mistakes on quotations

  • No named place, or a vague one. "FOB China" or "DAP USA" leaves the delivery point open. Name the port, terminal or address.
  • FOB or CIF for containers. These sea rules pass risk at the ship's rail. Container cargo is handed to the carrier at a terminal days earlier, so FCA, CPT or CIP fit better.
  • Assuming CIF insurance is comprehensive. The default CIF cover is the minimum Clauses (C). Ask for Clauses (A) in the contract if you need it.
  • Quoting DDP without checking import rules. The seller must clear import and pay duties and taxes in the buyer's country.
  • Expecting the rule to cover payment or ownership. Payment terms and transfer of title belong in the sales contract.

Ready to quote? The quotation generator puts the rule and named place on your quotation or pro forma invoice. Each "Draft a quote" link above opens it with that rule selected.