TRADE TERMS

Trade Terms We Support

At ZhongXin Sheet Metal Fabrication, we provide flexible and reliable international trade terms tailored to different shipping needs, cost considerations, and customer capabilities. We currently support the following Incoterms:

EXW, FCA, FOB, DAP, DDP

Among these, we recommend EXW, DAP, and DDP for most orders due to efficiency and clarity.

Extensive In-House Technologies

EXW – Ex Works (Highly Recommended)

Under EXW, customers or their freight forwarders collect the goods directly from our factory.

Advantages:

Fastest and simplest arrangement
Full control over logistics and cost
Ideal for customers who work with their own Chinese freight forwarder
Minimal coordination required

EXW is one of our most commonly used and most efficient trade terms.

FCA – Free Carrier (Recommended Alternative to FOB)

FCA allows us to deliver the goods to the carrier or freight forwarder assigned by the customer within China.

Advantages:

More flexible and efficient than FOB
Cleaner responsibility division
Avoids the double‑coordination issues of traditional FOB exports

FCA is a better choice than FOB for most metal fabrication orders requiring ocean freight.

FOB – Free On Board (Supported but Not Recommended)

We can handle FOB shipments if requested, but it is not our preferred option.

FOB may create challenges:

Requires both sides to coordinate with their own freight forwarders
Slower arrangements and more communication workload
Less efficient for custom metal fabrication orders

For customers considering FOB, we recommend choosing FCA instead for a smoother process.

DAP – Delivered At Place (Recommended)

Under DAP, we deliver the goods directly to the customer’s address in the destination country.

Supplier Handles:

Export clearance
International shipping
Final delivery to door

Customer Handles:

Import customs clearance
Duties/taxes

DAP is suitable for:

Customers who can handle import customs
Customers with a local broker or simple import procedures
Buyers who want us to manage international shipping but prefer to handle their own taxes

DAP offers a balanced, cost‑transparent shipping solution.

DDP – Delivered Duty Paid (Recommended)

With DDP, we take care of the entire logistics chain, including:

Export clearance
International transportation
Import customs clearance
Duties and taxes
Delivery to customer’s door

DDP is ideal for:

Customers without any customs clearance experience
Buyers who want a worry‑free, all‑inclusive shipping solution
Import customs clearance
New importers, small businesses, and e‑commerce brands
Customers who prefer knowing the final total landed cost upfront

DDP provides the most convenient and beginner‑friendly experience.

Summary of Supported Trade Terms

Term	Export Clearance	Freight	Import Clearance	Taxes	Final Delivery
EXW	Customer	Customer	Customer	Customer	Customer
FCA	Supplier	Customer	Customer	Customer	Customer
FOB	Supplier	Customer	Customer	Customer	Customer
DAP	Supplier	Supplier	Customer	Customer	Supplier
DDP	Supplier	Supplier	Supplier	Supplier	Supplier

How to Choose the Right Trade Term

Choosing the correct Incoterm depends mainly on whether you can handle import customs and how much logistics support you need.

Choose DDP if:

You have no import customs experience
You want a fully managed, all-inclusive solution
You prefer predictable total landed cost

Choose DAP if:

You can handle customs clearance
You want us to manage international shipping, but not taxes

Choose EXW if:

You have your own Chinese freight forwarder
You want maximum control over logistics and cost

Choose FCA instead of FOB if:

You need ocean freight
You want a cleaner, simpler process than FOB