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Incoterms 2020 Reference Table: All 11 Rules Compared

Incoterms 2020 are the eleven ICC trade terms that say who arranges transport, who bears risk, and who clears customs on each side of a sale. This table puts the answers side by side so a logistics coordinator can check a quote or purchase order in seconds.

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Rule	Full name	Transport mode	Risk passes to buyer	Main carriage paid by	Export clearance	Import clearance and duty	Insurance duty
EXW	Ex Works	Any mode	When goods are placed at buyer's disposal at seller's premises, not loaded	Buyer	Buyer	Buyer	None required
FCA	Free Carrier	Any mode	When goods are handed to the buyer's carrier at the named place	Buyer	Seller	Buyer	None required
CPT	Carriage Paid To	Any mode	When goods are handed to the first carrier	Seller	Seller	Buyer	None required
CIP	Carriage and Insurance Paid To	Any mode	When goods are handed to the first carrier	Seller	Seller	Buyer	Seller, Institute Cargo Clauses (A) minimum
DAP	Delivered at Place	Any mode	At the named destination, ready for unloading	Seller	Seller	Buyer	None required
DPU	Delivered at Place Unloaded	Any mode	At the named destination, after seller unloads	Seller	Seller	Buyer	None required
DDP	Delivered Duty Paid	Any mode	At the named destination, ready for unloading	Seller	Seller	Seller	None required
FAS	Free Alongside Ship	Sea and inland waterway	When goods are placed alongside the vessel at the named port	Buyer	Seller	Buyer	None required
FOB	Free On Board	Sea and inland waterway	When goods are on board the vessel at the named port	Buyer	Seller	Buyer	None required
CFR	Cost and Freight	Sea and inland waterway	When goods are on board the vessel at the port of shipment	Seller	Seller	Buyer	None required
CIF	Cost, Insurance and Freight	Sea and inland waterway	When goods are on board the vessel at the port of shipment	Seller	Seller	Buyer	Seller, Institute Cargo Clauses (C) minimum

General guidance for orientation, not legal advice. Always name the place or port after the rule (for example FCA Chicago, Incoterms 2020) and check the ICC publication for full obligations. Incoterms do not govern title transfer, payment terms or governing law.

Map Incoterms to ERP freight terms

Optional: send us your ERP shipping term list and we will suggest a clean mapping to Incoterms 2020 with the named-place field.

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How to use the table

Type a rule such as FOB or a phrase such as 'unloaded' into the search box to filter the rows. Compare the risk column first, because that is where most disputes start. Then read across to see who pays main carriage and who handles export and import clearance. Use the export buttons to put the table in a quote pack or a supplier onboarding document.

Always write the named place after the rule
Check the risk column before the price column
Confirm who owns import clearance at destination

Two groups: any mode and sea only

Seven rules work for any mode of transport, including containers, air and road: EXW, FCA, CPT, CIP, DAP, DPU and DDP. Four are for sea and inland waterway only: FAS, FOB, CFR and CIF. A frequent mistake is using FOB or CIF for containerised cargo that is handed to a terminal before loading. In that case FCA or CPT and CIP describe the real hand-over point and put risk where the parties intend it.

Risk transfer is not cost transfer

In the C rules (CPT, CIP, CFR, CIF) the seller pays for main carriage, but risk passes to the buyer much earlier, at the first carrier or on board the vessel. That split surprises buyers when goods are damaged at sea and they hold the claim. CIP and CIF also oblige the seller to buy insurance, at a minimum level that buyers often want to raise. DAP, DPU and DDP put risk on the seller until the named destination.

Common mistakes and ERP notes

Vague terms such as 'FOB China' without a named port leave the hand-over point open. Choosing DDP without a local tax registration at destination can leave the seller unable to clear goods. In SAP the Incoterm is held on the sales order and purchase order header with a location field, in Infor, Epicor and NetSuite it appears as a shipping or freight term. Store the place, not just the code, so freight accruals and landed cost postings can use it.

Frequently Asked Questions

What changed between Incoterms 2010 and 2020?

DAT was renamed DPU (Delivered at Place Unloaded) so the delivery place can be any location, not only a terminal. CIP now requires the higher Institute Cargo Clauses (A) insurance level, while CIF stays at clause (C). FCA also gained an option for an on-board bill of lading when the buyer instructs its carrier.

Which Incoterm is best for a seller?

There is no single best term. EXW and FCA minimise seller responsibility, while DAP and DDP maximise it. The right choice depends on who has better freight rates, who can clear customs locally and who can manage claims. Many exporters default to FCA or CPT for containers because the hand-over point is realistic.

Is DDP the same as DAP?

No. Under DAP the buyer clears the goods through import customs and pays duty and import taxes. Under DDP the seller does this and carries the cost and risk of import clearance. DDP therefore needs the seller to have local registration or a capable broker at the destination.

Do Incoterms say when ownership transfers?

No. Incoterms deal with delivery, risk, costs and basic documents. Transfer of title, payment terms, remedies and governing law belong in the sales contract. Always state the version, for example 'FCA Chicago, Incoterms 2020', so both sides read the same rules.

If Incoterms and freight terms live in free-text fields in your ERP, Netray can help structure them so freight accruals and landed cost postings follow the contract term automatically.

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