Colorful shipping containers — logistics resources

Knowledge Center

Resources for
Importers & Exporters

Guides, references, and tools to help you navigate international trade with confidence.

Download Company Profile (PDF) Trade & Logistics Blog

Incoterms 2020

Incoterms 2020 — Quick Reference

International Commercial Terms define who pays for what, and where risk transfers between buyer and seller.

EXW

Ex Works

Seller makes goods available at their premises. Buyer bears all costs and risks from that point.

Seller Risk: Low
FCA

Free Carrier

Seller delivers goods to a carrier nominated by the buyer. Risk transfers at the named place.

Seller Risk: Low
FAS

Free Alongside Ship

Seller delivers goods alongside the vessel at the port of shipment. Sea freight only.

Seller Risk: Low-Medium
FOB

Free on Board

Seller delivers goods on board the vessel at the port of shipment. Risk transfers once goods are on board.

Seller Risk: Medium
CFR

Cost and Freight

Seller pays freight to the destination port, but risk transfers when goods are loaded on board at origin.

Seller Risk: Medium
CIF

Cost, Insurance & Freight

Like CFR, but seller also provides marine insurance. Risk transfers at origin port.

Seller Risk: Medium
CPT

Carriage Paid To

Seller pays freight to destination. Risk transfers when goods are handed to the first carrier. Any mode.

Seller Risk: Medium
CIP

Carriage & Insurance Paid

Like CPT, but seller also provides insurance. Risk transfers at first carrier. Any mode.

Seller Risk: Medium-High
DAP

Delivered at Place

Seller bears all costs and risks to the named destination. Buyer handles import clearance.

Seller Risk: High
DPU

Delivered at Place Unloaded

Seller delivers and unloads goods at the named destination. Seller bears all risks until unloading.

Seller Risk: High
DDP

Delivered Duty Paid

Seller bears all costs, risks, and import duties. Maximum seller obligation.

Seller Risk: Very High

Incoterms are published by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC). The current version is Incoterms 2020. Always specify the Incoterm, named place, and version in your contracts.

Process

How International Shipping Works

A simplified overview of the import/export process from inquiry to delivery.

1

Inquiry

Share cargo details, route, and timeline. Receive a competitive freight quote.

2

Documentation

Validate commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, certificate of origin, and customs declarations.

3

Customs Filing

Submit Bill of Entry (import) or Shipping Bill (export) through ICEGATE. Classification, valuation, and duty assessment.

4

Cargo Movement

Goods are picked up, consolidated, and loaded onto vessel/aircraft. Transit tracking begins.

5

Clearance

For imports: customs clearance at port, duty payment, examination, out-of-charge. For exports: our scope ends at the port of destination.

6

Delivery

For imports: last-mile transport from port/ICD to your warehouse. For exports: cargo delivered to the destination port.

Glossary

Customs & Shipping Glossary

Key terms every importer and exporter should know.

AD Code
Authorized Dealer code required for foreign exchange transactions linked to import/export shipments. Registered with the customs port.
Bill of Entry
Document filed with customs to declare imported goods. Contains cargo details, classification, and duty payable.
Bill of Lading (B/L)
Transport document issued by the shipping line confirming receipt of cargo. Serves as title of goods and contract of carriage.
CFS
Container Freight Station. A facility near the port where LCL cargo is consolidated or de-consolidated.
CHA
Customs House Agent. Licensed professional authorized to clear goods through customs on behalf of importers/exporters.
CIF Value
Cost + Insurance + Freight. The assessable value used by Indian customs to calculate import duty.
Customs Duty
Tax levied by the government on goods crossing the border. Includes Basic Customs Duty, IGST, and applicable cess.
Drawback
Refund of customs duty paid on imported materials used in the manufacture of exported goods.
EPCG
Export Promotion Capital Goods scheme. Allows duty-free import of capital goods against an export obligation.
EOU
Export Oriented Unit. A manufacturing unit that exports its entire production and receives duty concessions on inputs.
FCL
Full Container Load. An entire container booked by a single shipper.
FSSAI
Food Safety and Standards Authority of India. Clearance required for import of food products.
HS Code
Harmonized System code. A standardized numerical classification for traded goods, used worldwide for tariff and statistical purposes.
IEC
Import Export Code. A 10-digit registration issued by DGFT, mandatory for any person or entity engaged in import or export of goods and services in India. No trade can happen without it.
ICD
Inland Container Depot. A dry port facility located inland, connected to seaports by rail or road, where customs clearance happens.
ICEGATE
Indian Customs Electronic Gateway. The national portal for electronic filing of customs documents.
IGM
Import General Manifest. Document filed by the shipping line declaring all cargo arriving on a vessel.
IGST
Integrated Goods and Services Tax. Applied on imports in addition to basic customs duty.
LCL
Less than Container Load. Cargo from multiple shippers consolidated into one shared container.
LEO
Let Export Order. Final customs permission allowing export cargo to be loaded onto the vessel.
MOOWR
Manufacturing and Other Operations in Warehouse Regulations. Allows duty deferral on imported goods stored in a bonded warehouse for manufacturing.
OOC
Out of Charge. Customs clearance granted — goods can be removed from the port/CFS.
Shipping Bill
Document filed for export customs clearance. Declares goods, value, and applicable export benefits.
TEU
Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit. Standard measurement for container capacity. One 40ft container = 2 TEUs.
Transshipment
Transfer of cargo from one vessel to another at an intermediate port en route to the final destination.

Checklist

Essential Shipping Documents

Documents typically required for import and export shipments in India.

Import Documents

Export Documents

Need help with customs or shipping?

Our team can guide you through documentation, compliance, and the entire clearance process.

Talk to ACSPL