Guides, terms and checklists to help you import and export with confidence.
Incoterms define where responsibility for cost and risk passes from seller to buyer. Choosing the right one affects your freight cost, insurance and customs value.
| Term | Name | Mode | What it means |
|---|---|---|---|
| EXW | Ex Works | Any | Buyer takes on nearly all costs and risk from the seller's premises. |
| FCA | Free Carrier | Any | Seller delivers goods, cleared for export, to the buyer's nominated carrier. |
| CPT | Carriage Paid To | Any | Seller pays carriage to destination; risk passes at handover to the first carrier. |
| CIP | Carriage & Insurance Paid To | Any | As CPT, plus the seller buys all-risk insurance coverage. |
| DAP | Delivered at Place | Any | Seller delivers to the named place, ready for unloading; buyer clears import. |
| DPU | Delivered at Place Unloaded | Any | Seller delivers and unloads at the named place; buyer clears import. |
| DDP | Delivered Duty Paid | Any | Seller bears all costs and risk, including import duties and taxes. |
| FAS | Free Alongside Ship | Sea | Seller places goods alongside the vessel at the port of shipment. |
| FOB | Free on Board | Sea | Risk passes once goods are loaded on board the vessel. |
| CFR | Cost & Freight | Sea | Seller pays ocean freight to the destination port; risk passes at loading. |
| CIF | Cost, Insurance & Freight | Sea | As CFR, plus the seller buys minimum insurance coverage. |
Summary for general guidance only. Incoterms® is a trademark of the International Chamber of Commerce.
| Container | Approx. internal size | Approx. capacity | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20' Standard | 5.9 × 2.35 × 2.39 m | ~33 m³ | Heavy, dense cargo |
| 40' Standard | 12.0 × 2.35 × 2.39 m | ~67 m³ | General cargo |
| 40' High Cube | 12.0 × 2.35 × 2.69 m | ~76 m³ | Light, bulky cargo |
| Reefer | 20' / 40' | Temperature-controlled | Food, pharma, perishables |
| Flat Rack / Open Top | 20' / 40' | Out-of-gauge | Machinery, oversized items |
Dimensions vary slightly by carrier and equipment.
It is not legally required, but most commercial importers use one. A broker handles classification, valuation, duties and the electronic entry so your goods are released quickly and correctly.
Duty is based on the HS classification, the value for duty and the country of origin. GST or HST is then applied to the duty-paid value. We can estimate your total before you ship.
A freight forwarder arranges the transport of goods; a customs broker clears them through customs. BK IMPEX does both, so you deal with one team.
It depends on how much control and risk you want. Many importers prefer FCA or FOB so they can choose their own forwarder and see the true freight cost.
Absolutely. We walk you through Business Number registration, CARM setup and everything required for your first clearance.
Your BK IMPEX contact provides milestone updates, and we can share carrier tracking references for ocean, air and ground shipments.
Yes. Carrier liability is limited, so we recommend all-risk cargo insurance for most shipments and can arrange coverage for you.
Tell us what you are shipping — we will come back with a clear plan and a competitive rate.