Quelques termes courants du commerce international

When you import CNC machined parts, Tôle components, or welded Assemblages from China, your supplier’s quote will include a three-letter code — EXW, FOB, CIF, DAP, or DDP. These aren’t just shipping labels. They legally define who pays for freight, who handles customs, who buys insurance, and — critically — at what exact moment the risk of loss or damage transfers from the seller to you.

Choosing the wrong Incoterm can quietly add 15-30% to your landed cost in the form of unexpected destination charges, customs brokerage fees, or port handling costs that weren’t in the original quote. This guide explains the six Incoterms you’ll actually encounter when importing from China, with practical examples for manufacturing buyers.

Que sont les Incoterms ?

Incoterms (International Commercial Terms) are a set of 11 standardized three-letter trade terms published par the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC). The current version — Incoterms 2020 — came into effect on January 1, 2020. Each term defines exactly four things in an international sales contract:

• Delivery point: Where and when the seller’s obligation to deliver is fulfilled
• Risk transfer: The exact moment responsibility for loss or damage shifts from seller to buyer
• Cost allocation: Who pays for transport, insurance, customs clearance, and duties
• Customs responsibility: Who handles export and import formalities

Always specify the version when using an Incoterm — write “FOB Shenzhen, Incoterms 2020” not just “FOB Shenzhen.” This prevents disputes over which version’s rules apply.

Les six Incoterms qui comptent pour les importations de Chine

While there are 11 Incoterms total, only six are commonly used when importing manufactured goods from China. They range from maximum buyer responsibility (EXW) to maximum seller responsibility (DDP):

EXW (Départ usine) — contrôle maximal, casse-tête maximal

Under EXW, the seller’s only obligation is to make the goods available at their factory or warehouse. From that point, the buyer is responsible for everything: loading the truck, export customs clearance in China, freight to the port, ocean/air freight, import customs at destination, duties, taxes, and final delivery.

Why suppliers like it: It’s the cheapest quote — the supplier’s price only covers manufacturing. But that low price is deceptive. If you don’t have a freight forwarder in China who can pick up from the factory and handle export documentation, EXW will cost you more in logistics headaches than you save on the unit price.

Practical tip: If a supplier quotes you EXW, ask them to also quote FOB. The difference is typically 2-5% of the order value, and it saves you from arranging factory pickup and Chinese export clearance — two things no overseas buyer should be doing themselves.

FOB (Franco à bord) — La norme industrielle pour le fret maritime

FOB is the most common Incoterm for CNC parts shipped par sea from China. Under FOB, the seller handles everything up to and including loading the goods onto the vessel at the origin port (e.g., FOB Shenzhen, FOB Shanghai). The seller clears Chinese export customs. Once the goods are on board, risk and cost transfer to the buyer.

What the buyer pays after FOB: ocean freight, marine insurance (optional but recommended), destination port charges, import customs clearance, import duties/VAT, and final delivery to your warehouse.

At BravoFabs, FOB Shenzhen is our standard shipping term. We handle factory-to-port logistics, export documentation, and loading. You arrange the ocean freight with your forwarder — or we can recommend one. This gives you control over shipping costs while we handle the China-side complexity.

CIF (Coût, Assurance et Fret) — Le Vendeur Organise le Transport

CIF is like FOB but the seller also pays for ocean freight and minimum insurance coverage to the destination port. The risk still transfers at the origin port (loading onto the vessel), which means if your shipment is damaged at sea, you claim against the insurance — not the seller.

The CIF trap: The “I” in CIF only covers minimum insurance (typically 110% of invoice value, Institute Cargo Clauses C — the lowest level). It does NOT cover all risks. For CNC parts worth thousands of dollars, buy additional all-risk marine insurance. And remember: CIF does NOT include destination port charges, customs clearance, duties, or final delivery — those are still your responsibility.

DAP (Rendu au lieu de destination) — Livraison à domicile, vous gérez les douanes

Under DAP, the seller delivers the goods to your named destination — your warehouse, office, or a specified address — ready for unloading. The seller pays all transport costs to that point. However, import customs clearance, duties, and taxes remain the buyer’s responsibility.

DAP is a good middle ground when you want the simplicity of door-to-door delivery but are comfortable handling your own import customs (or using your own customs broker). It avoids the customs liability issues that can make DDP problematic.

DDP (Rendu droits acquittés) — The “All-In” Option

DDP is the simplest Incoterm for the buyer — and the most expensive. The seller handles everything from factory to your doorstep, including import customs clearance, duties, and taxes in your country. You receive the goods, unload them, and that’s it.

When DDP makes sense: For small prototype orders, first-time importers unfamiliar with customs, or buyers in countries with complex import regulations. The seller’s premium for handling everything is often worth the time saved.

When DDP doesn’t make sense: For regular production orders. The seller marks up shipping and duties par 10-20%, and once you understand your country’s import process, you can clear customs yourself and save that markup on every order.

Les champs obligatoires sont indiqués avec BravoFabs chiffre les conditions d'expédition

We quote all Usinage CNC, tôlerie, and Soudage projects on the following basis:

Every quote includes both the unit price and the estimated shipping cost broken down par Incoterm, so you can see exactly where your money goes — no hidden charges buried in a shipping line item.

Points clés à retenir

• Always specify the Incoterm version. Write “FOB Shenzhen, Incoterms 2020” — not just “FOB Shenzhen.” The ICC updates these rules periodically, and version ambiguity causes disputes.
• EXW looks cheap but isn’t. If your supplier quotes EXW, ask for FOB. The 2-5% difference saves you from arranging Chinese factory pickup and export clearance.
• FOB is the standard for sea freight from China. It gives you control over shipping costs while the seller handles China-side logistics. This is the most common term for CNC parts orders.
• DDP is simplest but most expensive. Use it for prototypes and first orders. Once you understand your country’s import process, switch to FOB or DAP and save 10-20% on Chaque expédition.
• The risk transfer point matters more than who pays. Under CIF, the seller pays freight — but the risk is yours from the moment the goods are loaded at the China port. If the ship sinks, you claim insurance, not the seller.