Frequently Asked Questions

Incoterms & Trade Terms

What are Incoterms?

International commercial terms that define who bears costs, risks, and responsibilities at each stage of a shipment.

  • EXW (Ex Works): Buyer collects at the seller’s premises and assumes all further obligations.
  • FCA (Free Carrier): Seller delivers to the carrier chosen by the buyer.
  • FOB (Free On Board): Seller is responsible until the goods are loaded on the vessel.
  • CFR (Cost & Freight): Seller pays freight to the destination port; risk transfers upon loading.
  • CIF (Cost, Insurance & Freight): As per CFR, plus seller provides insurance.
  • DAP (Delivered At Place): Seller delivers to the agreed point in the destination country.
  • DDP (Delivered Duty Paid): Seller covers everything, including duties/taxes, to the buyer’s door.

Customs Procedures

Storage in a customs warehouse with suspension of duties and taxes until final disposition.

  • T1: For non-Union goods moving within the EU without paying duties/taxes until the final customs office.
  • T2: For Union goods moving within the EU, proving their Union status.

A document proving that goods have Union status.

Procedures (e.g., inward/outward processing) that allow temporary import or processing with reduced or suspended duties.

Free Zone

A port area where imported goods can be stored without immediate payment of duties and taxes.

Better cash flow (suspension of duties/VAT), destination flexibility, simplified procedures.

Transport & Logistics

  • FCL (Full Container Load): One container filled exclusively with one shipper’s cargo.
  • LCL (Less than Container Load): One container shared by multiple shippers’ smaller consignments.

The international agreement governing the transport of dangerous goods (e.g., chemicals, flammables).

Goods are received and dispatched immediately without interim storage.

Documents & Processes

  • Commercial Invoice.
  • Packing List.
  • Transport document (B/L, CMR, or Air Waybill depending on mode).
  • Certificates of origin (EUR.1, ATR) where required.
  • Special permits/certificates for specific goods (e.g., sanitary, ADR).

Not sure which procedure or documents you need?

Contact our customs team — we’ll guide you.