Incoterms 2020 chart for road freight: who does what
RNJ Transport’s free Incoterms 2020 chart shows who does what under the seven rules that fit road freight: EXW, FCA, CPT, CIP, DAP, DPU and DDP. Pick a rule to see who loads, books the truck, insures and clears customs, and where the risk passes. Or answer up to four questions to find the rule.
Your result
- Loading at the seller’s place
- Seller
- Export customs
- Seller
- Books and pays the truck
- Seller
- Cargo insurance
- No duty to insure
- Unloading at the destination
- Buyer, unless the seller’s transport contract includes it
- Import customs, duties and import VAT
- Buyer
- Risk passes to the buyer: At the destination, before unloading
- Write it like this: DAP [named place with street address], Incoterms 2020.
The button adds this rule to the price form at the bottom of this page.
Swipe sideways to see all seven rules.
| Task | EXW | FCA | CPT | CIP | DAP | DPU | DDP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading at the seller’s place | Buyer | Seller | Seller | Seller | Seller | Seller | Seller |
| Export customs | Buyer, with the seller’s help on documents | Seller | Seller | Seller | Seller | Seller | Seller |
| Books and pays the truck | Buyer | Buyer | Seller | Seller | Seller | Seller | Seller |
| Cargo insurance | No duty to insure | No duty to insure | No duty to insure | Seller | No duty to insure | No duty to insure | No duty to insure |
| Unloading at the destination | Buyer | Buyer | Buyer, unless the seller’s transport contract includes it | Buyer, unless the seller’s transport contract includes it | Buyer, unless the seller’s transport contract includes it | Seller | Buyer, unless the seller’s transport contract includes it |
| Import customs, duties and import VAT | Buyer | Buyer | Buyer | Buyer | Buyer | Buyer | Seller |
| Risk passes to the buyer | At the seller’s place, before loading | At the seller’s place, after loading on the buyer’s truck | When the seller hands the goods to the first carrier | When the seller hands the goods to the first carrier | At the destination, before unloading | At the destination, after unloading | At the destination, before unloading |
The side that carries the risk can still buy cargo insurance.
A summary of the ICC Incoterms® 2020 rules for any mode of transport, as they apply to a truck. The ICC text decides. Inside the EU, EU goods need no customs clearance. Incoterms® is a trademark of the International Chamber of Commerce.
- Seven Incoterms 2020 rules fit a truck: EXW, FCA, CPT, CIP, DAP, DPU and DDP. FOB, CFR, CIF and FAS are rules for sea transport.
- Under EXW and FCA, the buyer books the truck. Under CPT, CIP, DAP, DPU and DDP, the seller books it.
- Under CPT and CIP, the risk passes at the start, when the seller hands the goods to the first carrier. Under DAP, DPU and DDP, it passes at the destination.
- Only CIP makes the seller buy cargo insurance for the buyer. Only DPU makes the seller unload.
How to use the chart
Pick a rule at the top of the calculator, and the result shows who does each task under that rule. The chart below it compares all seven rules side by side. If you do not know the rule yet, answer the questions under the rule buttons. Each answer removes the rules that do not fit.
Write the rule in the contract with the named place and the edition, for example “DAP Kaunas, [street address and postcode], Incoterms 2020”. A city alone leaves the delivery address unclear.
What Incoterms do not cover
Incoterms say who books the transport, who pays which costs and where the risk passes. They do not set the price, the payment terms or the moment ownership passes. The contract with the carrier is also a separate contract.
Inside the EU, EU goods need no customs clearance, so the customs rows matter only for loads that leave or enter the EU. A load between the EU and Norway needs export and import clearance.
Incoterms and the truck booking
RNJ Transport works for the side that books the truck. Under EXW and FCA, that is the buyer. Under CPT, CIP, DAP, DPU and DDP, it is the seller. Tell us the rule and the named place when you ask for a price, so we know where loading and unloading happen and who pays for them.
Sources (4)
- ICC Academy: Understanding the place of delivery and risk transfer in international trade contracts
- ICC Academy: Insider thoughts: Bob Ronai on Incoterms® 2020 Rules; What are they about?
- ICC Austria: Incoterms® 2030
- European Commission, Taxation and Customs Union: EU Customs Union, a major trading partner
Numbers checked on 19 October 2026
Frequently asked questions
-
Which Incoterm fits a road freight sale?
The one that matches who books the truck and where the risk should pass. A buyer who books its own trucks often uses FCA: the seller loads and clears export. A seller who delivers to the door often uses DAP: the seller books the truck, and the buyer unloads. The questions in the calculator lead to one rule.
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What is the difference between DAP and DPU?
Unloading. Under DAP, the seller delivers to the named place, and the buyer unloads. The risk passes before unloading. Under DPU, the seller also unloads, and the risk passes after unloading. DPU is the only Incoterms 2020 rule where the seller must unload.
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Who pays for unloading under DAP?
The buyer, unless the seller’s transport contract includes unloading. Then the seller pays it and cannot charge the buyer for it again. Write in the contract who unloads, so the receiver has a forklift and staff ready when the truck arrives.
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Can I use FOB for a truck?
No. FOB, CFR, CIF and FAS are rules for sea and inland waterway transport. For a truck, use one of the seven rules for any mode: EXW, FCA, CPT, CIP, DAP, DPU or DDP. For a hand-over at the start of the trip, FCA fits.
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Is Incoterms 2020 still the current edition?
Yes. Incoterms 2020 is the current edition of the ICC rules. ICC plans to publish Incoterms 2030 in late 2029. Write the edition next to the rule in your contract, so both sides read the same text.
Other free tools
- Loading metre calculator The loading metres of a part load, with stacking, weight and a floor plan of a 13.6 m trailer.
- Pallet calculator How many pallets fit on a standard trailer or on your own vehicle, by floor space and by weight.
- Volume and chargeable weight The volume in m³, the gross weight and the chargeable weight of a shipment at the factor in your offer.
- Fuel surcharge calculator The fuel surcharge in % and in EUR from your contract’s reference price, today’s diesel price and the fuel share.
- CMR liability calculator The most a carrier pays under CMR for lost or damaged goods, and the gap to their value.
- Transit time calculator Driving, breaks and rest for one or two drivers under the EU rules, with the arrival day and time.
Truck for your Incoterms rule
Send the route, the date, the load size and the Incoterms rule in the price form. You can also call us. We work for the side that books the truck.
+370 698 38573A person in our Klaipėda office answers your call.
Mon–Fri 08:00–17:00, Lithuanian time
Get a price
Send your route and your phone number. We call you back about the price.