The term EXW specifies that the seller delivers when it places the goods at the disposal of the buyer at the seller’s premises or another named place (i.e.works, factory, warehouse,etc.), not cleared for export and not loaded on any collecting vehicle.

EXW represents the minimum obligation for the seller and the maximum obligation for the buyer.The seller has no obligation to the buyer to load the goods and the buyer is responsible for loading the goods on truck or container at the seller’s premises, and for the subsequent costs and risks.In cases where the seller is in a better position to load the goods,FCA, which obliges the seller to do so at its own risk and expense, is usually more appropriate.

A buyer who buys from a seller on an EXW basis for export needs to be aware that the seller has an obligation to provide only such assistance as the buyer may require to effect that export.The seller is not bound to organize the export clearance.Buyers are therefore well advised not to use EXW if they cannot directly or indirectly obtain export clearance.In such circumstances, the FCA term should be used.(www.daowen.com)

EXW is used for any mode of transport or more than one mode of transport.