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.