What the three letters define
Incoterms (the ICC's rules, current edition 2020) state exactly where the seller's responsibility ends and the buyer's begins: for the goods, the risk, the export formalities and the costs. With the Incoterm and the named place on each quotation, two offers can be compared on the same basis, and your forwarder and broker can plan the rest of the route.
EXW and FCA side by side
| Attribute | EXW (Ex Works) | FCA (Free Carrier) |
|---|---|---|
| Where delivery happens | At the seller's premises or another named place, goods not loaded | To the carrier you nominate, at the named place; if that place is the seller's premises, loaded on your carrier's vehicle |
| Export clearance | Buyer's side (in practice your forwarder or agent, with the seller's documents) | Seller's side under the rule; with Wizea, arrangements are agreed on the order when FCA is requested |
| Loading | Buyer's side (even when the seller helps) | Seller loads when delivery is at its premises |
| Risk passes | When the goods are placed at your disposal | When loaded on your carrier (at seller's premises) or handed to your carrier (elsewhere) |
| Main transport, insurance, import | Buyer | Buyer |
| How Wizea uses it | Our standard: goods handed over in Shenzhen to your nominated forwarder or agent, who handles export formalities with our documents | On request, when agreed on the quotation and the order |
| Good practice | Agree on the order who prepares and files the export documents | Name the city and the exact handover point on the order |
Who does what, from quotation to your dock
| Task | Wizea | Your forwarder | Your customs broker |
|---|---|---|---|
| Receive, inspect and consolidate the lot in Shenzhen | Yes | — | — |
| Pack, seal and mark cartons | Yes | — | — |
| Commercial invoice and packing list | Yes, issued by Wizea Technology Limited, Hong Kong | — | Uses them for the import declaration |
| Country of origin stated | Yes, on the quotation line and on the documents | — | Uses it for duty classification |
| Export formalities | Provides the commercial invoice, packing list and agreed documents for your forwarder or agent | Files export | — |
| Booking the carrier, main transport, insurance | Introduces a forwarder when that helps | Yes | — |
| Import declaration, duties, taxes | Supports with documents and clarifications | — | Yes |
| Collection notice | Tells you when your nominated agent has collected the goods | Collects | — |
| Delivery from port or airport to your plant | Stays in touch until your goods arrive | Yes | — |
| Case opening, if you need one | Yes, same business day | — | — |
Documents to expect
For a component shipment from Wizea, your forwarder and broker will usually work with: the commercial invoice; the packing list; the transport document issued by the carrier your forwarder books; the country-of-origin information for the goods (stated on the invoice; a formal certificate of origin where your destination requires it); and any product-specific declarations your programme has agreed (material certificates, RoHS/REACH declarations). Ask your broker what your destination requires before you order, and we put that list on the purchase order.
Calculating landed cost before you order
Unit price (per the Incoterm) + export-side costs on your side (under EXW: loading and export filing) + main freight + insurance + import duties and taxes (set by classification and country of origin) + broker fees + last-mile delivery. With price, MOQ, lead time, validity, country of origin and type of source on each quotation line, your broker can complete this calculation before the purchase order.
EXW keeps freight and import in your hands
Industrial buyers who already work with a forwarder and a broker usually prefer to keep them: one set of agents, one insurance policy, one view of freight costs across all suppliers. EXW, our standard (and FCA, on request), keeps those costs visible and in your hands, while we take care of the goods, the documents and the follow-up.
Short answers on this topic
What is the difference between EXW and FCA?
Under EXW the seller makes goods available at the named place, not loaded, and the buyer's forwarder or agent arranges export clearance and transport. Under FCA the seller delivers the goods to the buyer's carrier at the named place. Wizea sells EXW as standard; FCA is available on request.
Which Incoterm does Wizea use?
EXW, in the great majority of orders: Wizea Technology Limited, Hong Kong, sells and exports, and your nominated forwarder or agent collects in Shenzhen with our documents. FCA is available on request, agreed on the quotation and the order.
What does EXW mean when buying from Asia?
That the price covers the goods at the named place. Freight, insurance, export filing, import duties and delivery are arranged by the buyer. Compare EXW quotes with other EXW quotes, or add the remaining costs first.
Who handles customs in my country?
You, as the importer, with your customs broker. We provide the documents, state the country of origin and support your broker with any clarification.
Where does my forwarder collect?
At the handover point stated on the quotation: Shenzhen in most cases, or Hong Kong; a European point is in development. We let you know when your agent has collected.
Other questions buyers ask first
Your first order from Asia
Quotation, one payment, consolidation and inspection, collection by your forwarder and import, explained in plain words.
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A drawing, a BOM or one hard-to-find line, in any format. Add annual quantity and delivery rhythm, and we propose the programme.