EXW, Ex Works
The producer places the goods at your disposal at their premises. Everything after that, loading, transport, export clearance, insurance, is yours. EXW is the seller's minimum obligation.
Example: an olive-oil producer in Messenia has 20 pallets ready for you to collect at their warehouse. You arrange the truck to Piraeus, the export paperwork, and the sea freight.
Use when: you have a strong local Greek forwarder and want the tightest control over freight cost.
FCA, Free Carrier
The producer delivers the goods, cleared for export, to the carrier or another named place. Once handed over, risk transfers to you. FCA is often the better modern default than EXW because the producer handles export clearance.
Example: the producer trucks 20 pallets to a consolidation warehouse in Athens, cleared for export. You take over from there.
Use when: you want the producer to handle Greek export paperwork but you control international freight.
FOB, Free On Board (Piraeus)
The producer (or its agent) delivers the goods on board the vessel at Piraeus, cleared for export. Sea freight, insurance and destination costs are yours.
Example: a container of PDO Kalamata olives is loaded and stowed on a ship at Piraeus terminal. From that moment risk is yours.
Use when: you or your forwarder book the ocean freight and you want a clean transfer point.
CFR / CIF
Under CFR (Cost and Freight) the producer pays sea freight to your named destination port; risk still transfers on board at Piraeus. Under CIF (Cost, Insurance and Freight) the producer also arranges minimum marine insurance.
Example: CIF Hamburg means the producer arranges sea freight and minimum insurance to Hamburg; you handle unloading, import clearance and inland delivery.
Use when: you prefer a landed-cost quote to Europe or the GCC but retain destination clearance.
DAP, Delivered At Place
The producer delivers the goods, ready for unloading, at a named destination. Import clearance and duties remain with the buyer, but transport risk sits with the seller all the way to your door.
Example: DAP Munich warehouse: the producer arranges freight all the way from Greece to your Munich warehouse. You handle German import clearance.
Use when: you want a single all-in freight quote and do not have a preferred forwarder.
Choosing quickly
- First shipment, unfamiliar with Greek export logistics: FCA or DAP.
- Regular container programme, own forwarder: FOB Piraeus.
- Landed-cost simplicity: CIF or DAP.
- Own filling line at destination, price-sensitive bulk: EXW or FCA.
Buyer FAQ
Questions we hear repeatedly from importers, distributors, retailers and HoReCa buyers.
Which Incoterm is safest for a first-time buyer of Greek food?
FCA (Free Carrier) or DAP (Delivered At Place). FCA lets the Greek producer handle export clearance and hand off to your forwarder cleanly. DAP gives you a single all-in freight quote to your door.
Is EXW still recommended?
Rarely. EXW puts export clearance on the buyer, which is difficult for a foreign buyer at a Greek producer's premises. FCA solves the same commercial goal without the paperwork risk.
FOB Piraeus or FCA Piraeus for containers?
For containerised sea freight, FCA is technically more correct (risk transfers at handover to the terminal, not on board). FOB remains commercially common and is accepted by most banks and forwarders.
What insurance level applies under CIF?
CIF requires only minimum cover (Institute Cargo Clauses (C)). For chilled dairy or glass-packed premium goods, ask the seller to upgrade to (A) cover, or arrange your own insurance under CFR.
Does the Incoterm affect the Certificate of Origin?
No. The Certificate of Origin is issued regardless of the Incoterm. The Incoterm only determines who carries which cost and risk in transit.
Can I mix Incoterms within one contract?
You can quote different SKUs on different Incoterms in the same contract if it is written clearly. It is not recommended for a first shipment because it complicates the document pack.
Who pays for demurrage at the destination port?
Under CFR, CIF and DAP the buyer is responsible for destination-port delays. Build a realistic clearance timeline before agreeing an Incoterm that places port risk on you.
How does Incoterms interact with title transfer?
Incoterms do not transfer title; they allocate cost and risk in transit. Title transfer is governed separately by the sales contract and by the payment mechanism (letter of credit, open account, prepayment).