EXW vs FOB shipping from China
EXW and FOB change where the freight-forwarding scope begins. In fba.solutions, that difference is reflected directly in the Sea LCL and Rail LCL quotation workflow.
EXW and FOB describe different origin-side responsibilities
EXW (Ex Works) starts the transport scope at the supplier pickup location. FOB (Free On Board) places more of the origin-side export movement with the seller before the main-carriage scope begins. The commercial Incoterm should match the agreement between buyer and seller; the calculator does not replace that agreement.
How fba.solutions handles the difference
| Point | EXW | FOB |
|---|---|---|
| Sea/Rail LCL selection | Supported | Supported |
| China pickup address | Required for the EXW request | Not required as an EXW pickup request |
| Origin pickup cost | Determined before the EXW quotation is completed | Main quotation starts from the configured FOB origin scope |
| Air Freight in current calculator | Not the automatic basis | FOB basis |
Why EXW needs an additional request step
A pickup from a supplier address cannot be calculated reliably from the city name alone. In the current fba.solutions Sea LCL and Rail LCL workflow, the customer therefore enters the pickup address and submits an EXW request so the pickup component can be determined.
Which information should you have ready?
For an EXW request, have the supplier pickup address and the normal shipment information ready, including volume and weight. Rail requests also follow the HS-code checks used by the current quotation workflow. For general transport options, see Shipping from China to Germany.
Important Incoterm note
Incoterms allocate obligations, costs and risks between seller and buyer. The descriptions here explain how the freight-calculation workflow treats EXW and FOB; they are not legal or contractual advice.
Frequently asked questions
What does EXW change in the fba.solutions workflow?
For supported Sea LCL and Rail LCL EXW requests, a pickup address in China is required and the origin-side pickup cost must be determined before the quotation can be completed.
Can I select FOB for LCL?
Yes. FOB is supported in the current Sea LCL and Rail LCL quotation workflow.
Does fba.solutions also support FCA?
Yes. The current Sea LCL and Rail LCL workflow supports FOB, FCA and EXW. This guide focuses on the practical EXW versus FOB distinction.
Is Air Freight offered as EXW in the calculator?
No. The current automatic Air Freight quotation logic is presented on an FOB basis.
Calculate your China–Germany freight quotation
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