CPT (Carriage Paid To)

is one of the 11 Incoterms defined in the Incoterms 2020, published by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC). It is an Incoterm that is commonly used in international trade when the buyer and seller are located in different countries and the seller is responsible for arranging and paying for the transportation of the goods to a named destination.

Under CPT, the seller is responsible for arranging and paying for the transportation of the goods to a named destination, and for obtaining any necessary export licenses or permits. The buyer is responsible for obtaining any necessary import licenses or permits and for paying any applicable duties or taxes. The risk of loss or damage to the goods passes from the seller to the buyer when the goods are handed over to the first carrier.

Responsibilities and Obligations of Buyer and Seller

The seller's responsibilities under CPT include:
- Arranging and paying for the transportation of the goods to a named destination
  - - Obtaining any necessary export licenses or permits
The buyer's responsibilities under CPT include:
- Obtaining any necessary import licenses or permits
- Paying any applicable duties or taxes
  - Bearing the risk of loss or damage to the goods once they are handed over to the first carrier

Advantages of using CPT include:

The seller is responsible for arranging and paying for the transportation of the goods to a named destination, which can be beneficial for the buyer if they do not have the resources or capabilities to arrange transportation themselves.
The buyer can arrange for the goods to be shipped directly to the final destination, avoiding the need for transshipment

Disadvantages of using CPT include:

The buyer is still responsible for obtaining any necessary import licenses or permits and paying any applicable duties or taxes
The buyer bears the risk of loss or damage to the goods once they are handed over to the first carrier

Examples of when to use CPT include:

When the buyer is located in a country with a well-established customs clearance process and minimal import restrictions
When the seller has established relationships with carriers and can obtain favorable transportation rates
When the buyer does not have the resources or capabilities to arrange transportation themselves.

It’s important to note that CPT is a more advanced Incoterm than EXW, FCA, FAS, and FOB and it shifts some of the responsibilities and risks from the buyer to the seller. It’s important for both buyer and seller to carefully consider their capabilities and resources before choosing to use CPT in a trade agreement, and to consult with legal and logistics experts to ensure compliance with laws and regulations.

Additionally, it’s important to agree and specify the exact place of destination and any other relevant details in the sales contract.