EXW: Ex Works

By Mohamed Omer, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, Mooventory Global · Any mode

The seller makes goods available at its own premises. The buyer handles everything else, including export clearance and loading.

Where risk transfers

When goods are placed at the buyer's disposal at the seller's premises, not loaded.

When to use EXW

Experienced buyers with their own agent in the origin country.

Watch out for

The buyer is legally responsible for export clearance in a country where it has no presence. FCA is usually the safer choice.

EXW for Africa trade

Buying EXW from a Guangzhou or Istanbul factory only works if you have a forwarder on the ground who can load and clear export.