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Incoterms 2026: Meaning, Chart & List Of Incoterms

Published

19 heures ago

8 juillet 2026

If you are shipping goods, knowing your incoterms is essential to understanding who is responsible for what in your supply chain.

Read on to learn all about incoterms and how to choose the right one for your shipment.

Incoterms in Plain English: The Incoterms Guide for Freight Shipping

What are Incoterms?

Freight incoterms (International Commercial Terms) are the standard terms used in sales contracts for importing and exporting. They are used to define responsibility and liability for goods over the course of a shipment. In other words, they spell out when responsibility for the goods transfers from the supplier to the buyer. They also define who pays which costs for the goods and their transport.

How Incoterms Impact Your Shipping Cost

You can use our freight rate calculator to help you decide how different incoterms will impact your freight cost. For example, when shipping EXW, you’ll be responsible for the added cost of getting your goods from your supplier to the seaport or airport. Simply choose container, box, or pallet shipping, enter your dimensions and weight, and you’ll get an instant estimate of freight shipping costs.

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List of All 11 Incoterms

EXW – Ex Works: The seller’s responsibility is to make the goods available for pickup at the warehouse or factory. From that point forward, the buyer assumes responsibility for all costs and risks. For most importers and exporters, this means working with a freight forwarder that arranges the entire shipment, starting at pickup from the factory.
FCA – Free Carrier: The seller is responsible for delivering the goods to the carrier at a named place, which is usually the terminal or a warehouse. Once the goods are handed over to the carrier, the risk transfers to the buyer.
CPT – Carriage Paid To: The seller is responsible for the costs of transporting the goods to a named destination. Responsibility transfers to the buyer once the goods are delivered to the agreed-upon destination.
CIP – Carriage and Insurance Paid To: This incoterm is the same as CPT except that with CIP, the seller much also arrange and pay for insurance coverage in case of loss or damage to the goods during transit to the agreed-upon destination.
DAP – Delivered at Place: The seller is responsible for arranging the entire shipment up to delivering the goods to a named place. Risk transfers to the buyer upon delivery. The seller is responsible for clearing goods for export but the buyer assumes responsibility for import customs duties, fees, and taxes.
DPU – Delivered at Place Unloaded: The seller is responsible arranging the shipment and delivering the goods to a named place. They are also responsible for unloading them. Risk transfers to the buyer once the goods are unloaded.
DDP – Delivered Duty Paid: The seller is responsible for entire shipment, including customs clearance and fees, and delivering the goods to the buyer’s premises. This incoterm places the maximum responsibility on the seller.
FAS – Free Alongside Ship: The seller is responsible for picking up the goods at the factory, clearing them for export, and delivering them to a departure location, usually the ship loading dock. Tisk transfers to the buyer when the goods are placed alongside the ship; they are responsible for the main leg of transit and every other step in delivery.
FOB – Free On Board: The seller is responsible for packaging, pickup, and delivery of goods onto a vessel at the port of shipment. Liability transfers to the buyer once the goods are on board the vessell; the buyer is responsible for every other step of the journey.
CFR – Cost and Freight: The seller is responsible for transportation to the port of origin and for loading the goods onto the vessel. They are also responsible for transportation to the destination port – but they are not liable for that portion of the journey. Instead, risk transfers to the buyer when the goods are on boarded at the origin port.
CIF – Cost, Insurance, and Freight: Similar to CFR, but the seller also arranges and pays for insurance coverage for the goods during transit to the port of destination.

2020 Incoterms

The 2020 Incoterms, updated from the 2010 Incoterms, are a set of international trade terms that define the responsibilities and obligations of buyers and sellers when shipping goods. They are designed to facilitate smooth and efficient international trade by providing standardized rules for the delivery of goods, payment, risk transfer, and other key aspects of international transactions.

2020 Incoterms Rules for Any Mode of Transport

Whatever mode of transport you use – sea, air, road, or rail – you’ll need to choose your incoterm. However, not every incoterm can be used for every mode.

The following seven incoterms can be used for both ocean and air shipping:

EXW – Ex Works
FCA – Free Carrier
CPT – Carriage Paid To
CIP – Carriage and Insurance Paid To
DAP – Delivered at Place
DPU – Delivered at Place Unloaded
DDP – Delivered Duty Paid

2020 Incoterms for Sea and Inland Waterway Transport

These four incoterms can be used for sea and inland waterway shipments only:

FAS – Free Alongside Ship
FOB – Free On Board
CFR – Cost and Freight
CIF – Cost, Insurance, and Freight

2010 Incoterms

The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) updates incoterms every ten years or so. Prior to 2020, the last update was in 2010. The 2010 version was largely similar to the 2020 version.

However, in 2020 some changes and clarifications were made to better reflect modern trade practices and technology.

Using 2010 Incoterms After 2020

It is generally advisable to use the most current set of Incoterms – that is, the 2020 Incoterms. These updated terms are designed to reflect modern trade practices and provide more clarity and specificity, which can help reduce misunderstandings and disputes in international trade.

However, it is not prohibited to use the 2010 Incoterms if both the buyer and seller agree to do so.

It’s essential to clearly specify in the sales contract which set of Incoterms is being used to avoid any confusion or disputes.

2020 Incoterms vs. 2010 Incoterms

Here are some differences between the 2020 Incoterms and the 2010 Incoterms:

Introduction of DPU: In 2020, the DPU (Delivered at Place Unloaded) incoterm replaced DAT (Delivered at Terminal). DPU allows for delivery at a specific place, not just at a terminal, providing more flexibility.
Insurance in CIP and CIF: The 2020 Incoterms clarify that in CIP (Carriage and Insurance Paid To) and CIF (Cost, Insurance, and Freight), the seller is responsible for obtaining insurance coverage with minimum coverage. In the 2010 Incoterms, this was not explicitly stated.
Different Levels of Security Obligations: The 2020 Incoterms include more detailed security-related obligations, aimed at addressing increased security concerns in international trade.
Bill of Lading with FCA: The 2020 Incoterms allow the use of the FCA term in conjunction with a bill of lading. In the 2010 Incoterms, FCA was typically associated with multimodal transport and not used with a bill of lading.

Incoterms for Air Freight

Incoterms commonly used for air shipments are:

EXW (Ex-works), in which the buyer assumes responsibility at the seller’s warehouse and takes care of everything including transportation and insurance.

CIP (Carriage and insurance), which puts responsibility for insurance on the seller.

CPT (Carriage Paid To), in which the seller delivers the goods and covers all fees involved in delivering the goods to the named destination. After delivery, the buyer assumes responsibility.

DDP (Delivered Duty Paid), which puts most obligations on the seller. They carry all the costs and risks of transport, insurance, and customs clearance. This is the only incoterm that lists the seller as the importer of record at destination.

DAP-Delivered At Place, where the seller covers the costs involved in main carriage but is not responsible for customs clearance.

These Incoterms can be adapted for air freight transactions, ensuring that responsibilities and costs are clearly defined between the parties involved in the trade.

Why are Incoterms Important in 2026?

Importers and exporters should consider which incoterms is best for them before the contract of sale is negotiated. This can prevent surprise costs and unnecessary complications.

Choosing an incoterm means getting on the same page as your supplier – it aligns everyone on shipping procedures when multiple parties and stakeholders are involved. These globally accepted terms ensure the timely payment of goods, services, and duties, while protecting suppliers, carriers, and buyers.

Incoterms Chart and List

Check out this quick reference chart of Incoterms and the breakdown of whether the buyer or seller is responsible for what at various points in the international supply chain.

Download this chart now

What Incoterms Should I Use?

Here are some of the most common incoterms and when you might choose them:

FOB (Free on Board)
This very common incoterm is for sea freight only, and means that liability and responsibility for cost transfer to the buyer when the goods are loaded “on board” the shipping vessel.

FOB gives the buyer a high degree of control over the freight shipping process. Since the buyer is choosing their own forwarder, they benefit from greater flexibility with regards to cost, terms, and shipping planning.

EXW (ExWorks)

The ExWorks incoterm means that responsibility transfers to the buyer at the supplier’s warehouse and not on board the vessel.

This means the buyer pays for and is responsible for goods’ transport every step of the way, from door to door. All the supplier needs to do is prepare the goods for pick up.

This incoterm gives the buyer full control over freight costs, but also means they are responsible for everything that happens in the origin country– which is frequently not their country of residence. More experienced shippers may benefit from using this incoterm.

FCA (Free Carrier)

When using FCA, the buyer assumes responsibility and costs once the goods are loaded onto a mode of transportation or delivered to a specific location agreed upon by the buyer and seller – typically this is a port.

This incoterm is used for all shipping modes.

With FCA, the supplier is responsible for packaging and transport at the origin. This means the supplier has more responsibility than they do with ExWorks, but the buyer still assumes costs and responsibilities earlier than they do when using FOB.

Main Differences Specific to a Country

The above advice covers most countries in most circumstances. But there are some factors to keep in mind when choosing an incoterm with your supplier:

Customs procedures are much more relaxed at porous borders, like within the EU
Different countries require different produres and paperwork for shipments: the US requires a Customs Bond, importing into the UK requires a Deferment Account, and exporting from India includes a withholding tax.

When to Challenge Advice
Some freight forwarders prefer only using a favored set of incoterms because they “seem to work.” Therefore don’t be surprised if some forwarders push back on your selection of incoterm, despite it being the most appropriate incoterm for your shipment.

What Shipping Incoterms Don’t Cover

Incoterms do not cover property rights, possible force majeure situations and breach of contract. Include of these within the contract of sale. Similarly, all incoterms except the C terms do not assign responsibility for arranging insurance. Cargo insurance is, therefore, a separate cost for buyers.

Define Named Place in the Sales Contract
When the incoterm is written in the sales contract, the named place should immediately follow the three letter incoterm abbreviation, e.g. “FCA Shenzen Yantian CFS.” Be precise when defining the location, especially with larger cities that may have several terminals, and with larger terminals that may have several drop-off points. You can use this global port finder to find specific port codes.

How Letters of Credit Limit Choice of Incoterm
If the sale is being completed with a letter of credit or documentary credit, the chain that releases funds begins with the seller providing several documents to the bank, including the bill of lading/air waybill. Letters of credit are used where there is limited trust between the seller and the buyer. That rules out EXW, because the supplier will be paid before pickup. F terms require trust because if the buyer cancels the international transit, the supplier won’t have a bill of lading to present to the bank. D terms require trust because the seller is bearing all of the transport costs. That leaves the four C terms as the best options to use with a letter of credit.

Individual Incoterms

EXW | FCA | FAS | FOB | CPT | CIP | CFR | CIF | DPU | DAP | DDP

The post Incoterms 2026: Meaning, Chart & List Of Incoterms appeared first on Freightos.

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ARC Market Map Brings Structure to Complex Technology Markets

Published

17 heures ago

8 juillet 2026

Technology buyers face a familiar problem: too many suppliers, too many claims, and too little clarity.

That challenge is especially acute in industrial, engineering, operational technology, and supply chain markets. These are not simple software buying decisions. The systems under consideration often support mission-critical operations, complex workflows, long asset lifecycles, global networks, and high-stakes business processes.

Buyers need to know more than which supplier has the loudest message. They need a structured way to evaluate current solution strength, future direction, market presence, and fit.

Watch the ARC Market Map Overview Video

This short video explains how ARC Market Map helps technology buyers, suppliers, consultants, and analysts understand competitive positioning in complex industrial and supply chain technology markets.

Watch Video on YouTube

That is the purpose of ARC Market Map, a flagship research product from ARC Advisory Group.

ARC Market Map is designed to give technology buyers and suppliers a clear, data-driven view of the competitive landscape. It provides a structured framework for understanding where suppliers stand in a defined market and how they compare across both current capabilities and strategic vision.

For readers focused specifically on supply chain technology markets, Logistics Viewpoints also provides a dedicated resource page. To access the supply chain-focused version and download the related PDF/sample material, visit Logistics Viewpoints Supply Chain Market Maps.

What Is ARC Market Map?

ARC Market Map is a structured supplier evaluation framework developed by ARC Advisory Group to assess and position suppliers across global engineering and operational technology markets.

The framework is grounded in primary research, analyst expertise, and a consistent evaluation methodology. Rather than presenting a simple ranking, ARC Market Map provides a visual representation of supplier positioning within a specific technology segment.

This helps buyers make more informed decisions. It also helps suppliers understand how they are positioned relative to competitors, where they are differentiated, and where they may need to strengthen their offering or market strategy.

How the Market Map Process Works

The ARC Market Map process follows a disciplined sequence.

First, ARC defines the scope of the evaluation. This includes identifying the specific technology segment and the suppliers to be assessed.

Second, ARC gathers primary research through vendor briefings, customer interviews, and market intelligence.

Third, analysts score each supplier against a consistent set of criteria.

Fourth, the findings are reviewed internally to support accuracy, consistency, and fairness.

Finally, the results are validated with industry experts and published as the final Market Map report.

This process is designed to provide a balanced, research-backed view of supplier competitiveness in markets that are often crowded, fragmented, and difficult to compare.

Two Core Evaluation Dimensions

Every supplier on the ARC Market Map is evaluated across two equally weighted pillars: solution capabilities and strategic vision.

Solution capabilities assess the strength, breadth, and maturity of a supplier’s current product or service offering. This dimension focuses on what the supplier can deliver today.

Strategic vision evaluates how well the supplier is positioned for the future. This includes factors such as innovation roadmap, go-to-market strategy, ecosystem partnerships, and alignment with emerging customer requirements.

Together, these two dimensions provide a fuller picture of competitiveness. A supplier with strong current capabilities may be well established, but buyers also need to know whether that supplier is adapting to market change. Likewise, a supplier with a compelling vision may be promising, but buyers need to understand whether its current solution is mature enough for their needs.

How to Read the ARC Market Map

The ARC Market Map uses a two-axis chart to plot supplier positions.

The vertical axis represents solution capabilities. The higher a supplier appears on the chart, the stronger its current offering.

The horizontal axis represents strategic vision. The farther right a supplier appears, the more forward-looking and future-ready its strategy.

Each supplier is represented by a bubble. The size of the bubble reflects the supplier’s relative market presence or scale within the evaluated segment. This may be measured by revenue, installed base, market influence, or other indicators of market weight.

This visual approach allows readers to understand three things quickly: how strong a supplier’s solution is today, how well positioned the supplier appears to be for the future, and how significant its footprint is in the market.

Supplier Position Categories

ARC Market Map organizes suppliers into five position categories based on their scores across the two axes.

These categories help buyers and market participants interpret supplier positioning at a glance. Some suppliers may be established leaders with strong capabilities and a clear strategic direction. Others may be emerging challengers building momentum. Some may be focused specialists with deep expertise in a narrower segment.

The purpose is not simply to label suppliers. It is to provide context. Each category tells a story about where a supplier stands today, how it is positioned for the future, and how it fits into the broader competitive landscape.

Why Market Maps Matter for Buyers

Technology buyers often begin the evaluation process with a long list of possible vendors. Narrowing that list can be difficult, especially when suppliers use similar language to describe their capabilities.

ARC Market Map helps bring discipline to that process.

For buyers, the framework supports category education, supplier comparison, shortlisting, and internal alignment. It helps teams move from a broad market view to a more focused understanding of which suppliers may be best suited to their requirements.

This is particularly valuable in markets where the cost of a poor technology decision can be significant. Selecting the wrong platform or partner can result in integration problems, process disruption, missed transformation goals, or costly rework.

A structured market view helps reduce that risk.

Value for Suppliers, Consultants, and Investors

ARC Market Map is also valuable beyond the buying community.

For technology suppliers, inclusion in a Market Map provides visibility and credibility. It also creates a benchmark for understanding competitive positioning, differentiation, and areas for improvement.

For system integrators and consultants, Market Maps provide a credible reference point for client recommendations. They help advisory teams explain market structure, supplier strengths, and strategic fit.

For investors and analysts, Market Maps offer a snapshot of market dynamics. They show which suppliers have strong market presence, which are gaining strategic momentum, and where the competitive landscape may be evolving.

What Makes ARC Market Map Different?

ARC Market Map is purpose-built for industrial, engineering, operational technology, and related markets.

That distinction matters. These markets are different from general enterprise software markets. They often involve complex operating environments, mission-critical assets, high reliability requirements, specialized domain expertise, and long implementation timelines.

ARC’s approach reflects those realities.

The assessments are conducted by analysts with industry experience, not generalist observers. The framework goes beyond simple rankings by combining current performance, future potential, market context, and supplier scale.

This gives stakeholders a more balanced view of the market. It helps answer not only “Who is strong today?” but also “Who is positioned to remain relevant as the market changes?”

ARC’s Broader Research Foundation

ARC Advisory Group has served industrial technology users and providers for more than 30 years. The firm covers a broad range of markets, including automation and control systems, supply chain, asset management, and digital transformation.

ARC’s global team of analysts and researchers provides strategic advisory services, in-depth market research, and access to a community of industry peers.

ARC Market Map is one way ARC delivers trusted intelligence to help organizations make better technology decisions.

The Bottom Line

Industrial, operational, and supply chain technology markets are becoming more complex. Buyers need clear, structured intelligence to understand supplier capabilities, future direction, and market position.

ARC Market Map provides that perspective.

By combining solution capabilities, strategic vision, and market presence into a visual evaluation framework, ARC Market Map helps buyers, suppliers, consultants, investors, and analysts make better sense of competitive technology markets.

Learn More

Organizations evaluating industrial, operational, or supply chain technology markets can use ARC Market Map to bring greater structure and discipline to supplier evaluation.

To explore the broader ARC Market Map framework, visit the ARC MarketMap sample page.

To request a sample MarketMap and view available examples, visit ARC MarketMap.

The post ARC Market Map Brings Structure to Complex Technology Markets appeared first on Logistics Viewpoints.

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Why ARC Industry Forum Sponsorship Supports Strategic Market Presence

Published

18 heures ago

8 juillet 2026

Some market conversations are best developed in direct industry settings. Articles, webinars, podcasts, and research all play important roles, but events create a different kind of engagement.

Events bring together executives, practitioners, analysts, technology providers, and decision-makers around the issues shaping the future of operations. They create opportunities for visibility, relationship-building, thought leadership, and strategic positioning that can be difficult to replicate through digital channels alone.

That is why ARC Industry Forum sponsorship can be valuable for companies seeking a stronger market presence.

Strategic Visibility in an Industry Context

ARC Industry Forum sponsorship gives companies an opportunity to align their brand with a broader set of industry conversations. These conversations often span supply chain, logistics, manufacturing, automation, infrastructure, industrial technology, energy, digital transformation, and enterprise operations.

For solution providers, this context matters. A company is not simply trying to be visible. It is trying to be visible in the right strategic environment.

When executives attend an industry forum, they are often looking for perspective. They want to understand where technology is moving, how peers are responding to change, what risks are emerging, and which investment areas deserve attention. Sponsors that contribute meaningfully to that environment can strengthen their credibility.

Events Support Relationship-Building

Complex B2B markets are relationship-driven. Buyers may research online, attend webinars, read reports, and listen to podcasts, but direct engagement still matters.

Events create opportunities for conversations that are difficult to generate through digital outreach alone. They allow companies to meet executives, reconnect with customers, engage partners, speak with analysts, and participate in broader industry dialogue.

This is especially important in supply chain and industrial markets, where buying decisions often involve trust, operational credibility, long sales cycles, and multiple stakeholders.

From Brand Presence to Thought Leadership

The strongest event sponsorships are not only about logo placement. They are about presence, relevance, and contribution.

A sponsor should ask: What conversation do we want to be associated with? What strategic issue do we help the market understand? What perspective can we bring that is useful to executives and practitioners?

This thought leadership orientation makes sponsorship more effective. It positions the company not simply as a vendor, but as a participant in the future direction of the industry.

Connecting Event Sponsorship to Broader Market Engagement

ARC Industry Forum sponsorship can also work as part of a broader market engagement strategy. A company may support its event presence with research, articles, webinars, podcasts, executive interviews, or follow-up content.

This coordinated approach can extend the value of the event. The conversations that begin at the forum can be supported by educational content before and after the event. A theme introduced in a presentation or meeting can become part of a larger thought leadership campaign.

For companies operating in supply chain technology, logistics, automation, manufacturing, infrastructure, and industrial transformation, this integration can help create a more durable market presence.

Who Should Consider Forum Sponsorship

ARC Industry Forum sponsorship may be especially relevant for companies that want to engage an executive audience, build strategic visibility, reinforce thought leadership, support relationship development, or participate in conversations around industrial and operational transformation.

It can be a strong fit for organizations focused on supply chain, logistics, automation, manufacturing technology, enterprise systems, energy, infrastructure, analytics, AI, and related industrial technology markets.

It can also be useful for companies that want to be seen not only as solution providers, but as contributors to the direction of the industry.

Market Presence Requires More Than Promotion

In complex technology markets, promotion has limits. Buyers are looking for credibility, relevance, and evidence that providers understand the operational issues they face.

Event sponsorship can support that credibility when it is connected to a clear strategic message. It gives companies a chance to participate in the conversations that shape market direction, not just advertise around them.

For companies looking to build long-term recognition and executive engagement, that distinction matters.

CTA: Download the ARC Industry Forum Sponsorship overview to learn how event sponsorship can support strategic visibility and executive engagement.

If you have questions about whether ARC Industry Forum sponsorship fits your company’s market presence or executive engagement goals, reach out to me directly at jfrazer@arcweb.com. I’d be glad to discuss where your priorities align with ARC Advisory Group and Logistics Viewpoints market engagement opportunities.

The post Why ARC Industry Forum Sponsorship Supports Strategic Market Presence appeared first on Logistics Viewpoints.

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Freightos Global Freight Outlook – July 2026

Published

19 heures ago

8 juillet 2026

Our July Freightos Global Freight Outlook market update webinar, on July 15th at 10:00am ET / 4:00pm CEST, will take a data-driven look at the latest in the international ocean and air freight markets, focusing on ocean implications from escalating tension in the Strait of Hormuz, the early container peak season and what it may mean for the coming months, the latest in tariffs and the trade war, and how air cargo is adapting to more de minimis changes and easing jet fuel prices.

Host

Judah Levine

Head of Research, Freightos Group

Judah is an experienced market research manager, using data-driven analytics to deliver market-based insights. Judah produces the Freightos Group’s FBX Weekly Freight Update and other research on what’s happening in the industry from shipper behaviors to the latest in logistics technology and digitization.

Connect

The post Freightos Global Freight Outlook – July 2026 appeared first on Freightos.