Incoterms 2020 for shipping from China to Kazakhstan
The delivery term decides who pays for transport and customs and when the risk passes to the buyer. Not every term fits trucks from China to Kazakhstan: sea terms such as FOB and CIF only confuse things. Road freight usually uses FCA, CPT, DAP or DDP.
Updated 22 September 2026
EXW — Ex Works
The seller only prepares the cargo at the plant. The buyer arranges loading, export, transport and customs — we pick the cargo up at the plant.
FCA — Free Carrier
The seller clears export in China and hands the cargo to our truck at the agreed place. Transport and import are then on the buyer.
FAS — Free Alongside Ship
A sea term: the seller delivers the cargo alongside the ship in port. Almost never used for China — Kazakhstan trucking.
FOB — Free On Board
A sea term: the seller loads the goods onto the ship in port and clears export. For trucking it is usually replaced by FCA.
CFR — Cost and Freight
A sea term: the seller pays freight to the destination port, risk passes when the cargo is loaded onto the ship. Almost never used for trucking.
CIF — Cost, Insurance and Freight
Like CFR, but the seller also insures the cargo to the port. A sea term, almost never used for trucking.
CPT — Carriage Paid To
The seller pays transport to the destination, for example a site in Kazakhstan. Risk passes to the buyer when the cargo is handed to the carrier in China.
CIP — Carriage and Insurance Paid To
Like CPT, but the seller also insures the cargo to the destination. The buyer clears import customs.
DAP — Delivered At Place
The seller delivers the cargo to the named place, for example a site in Kazakhstan. The buyer clears import customs and pays duties and VAT.
DPU — Delivered at Place Unloaded
Like DAP, but the seller also unloads the cargo on site. For oversize cargo: the crane and unloading are on the seller.
DDP — Delivered Duty Paid
The seller is responsible for everything: transport, import customs, duties and VAT in Kazakhstan. The buyer only receives the cargo.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between DAP and DDP?
Under DAP the buyer pays import clearance, duty and VAT. Under DDP the seller covers everything and the buyer only receives the cargo.
Can FOB be used for trucks?
It is a sea term. For road freight it is usually replaced with FCA.
Which terms do you work with?
Any. Under EXW we collect from the plant; under DDP we handle import and payments in Kazakhstan.
See also
Customs clearance
Turnkey import clearance in Kazakhstan: the broker files before the truck reaches the border, so cargo does not sit in the bonded warehouse. HS codes and EAEU certificates included.
Turnkey delivery
One contractor instead of five: trucks, transloading, axle weighing, customs, permits and documents. The truck leaves the day the cargo arrives, on one invoice.
Import documents
The document list for importing cargo from China: contract, invoice, packing list, CMR, export declaration, EAEU certificates. What oversize cargo needs on top.
Industrial equipment
Industrial equipment from a Chinese factory to your site in Kazakhstan: documents, customs, low-bed trailer, permits and unloading. Installers do not wait.
Preparing an equipment shipment?
Send drawings and the packing list — we will show what data is missing and come back with a preliminary estimate.