Import trade terms, in plain English

The seller loads the goods onto the vessel at the named port of shipment; risk and cost pass to you at that point.

The seller only makes goods available at the factory; you carry trucking, export clearance and everything after.

The seller pays ocean freight and minimum insurance, but risk still transfers when the cargo is loaded.

The seller delivers to your warehouse with duties and tariffs paid — the heaviest obligation on the supplier.

The seller delivers to your named address, but US customs entry and duties remain yours.

Risk transfers when the seller hands cargo to the carrier you nominate — works for ocean, air and truck.

The smallest quantity a factory will run; below it you get no quote or a setup surcharge.

OEM builds to your design and your tooling; ODM sells you an existing design the factory already owns.

One-time mold cost for a custom part, typically USD 1,500–30,000+ depending on complexity.

Final AQL sampling inspection once production is 80–100% complete and packed, before the container closes.

Mid-production check at roughly 20–60% completion, so defects are caught before the whole run is built.

The statistical sampling standard that defines the maximum defect rate a lot can carry and still be accepted.

A bank-backed payment undertaking released against compliant documents; worth the cost above ~USD 50,000.

Bank wire, the default in China sourcing, usually structured 30/70 or 50/50 deposit and balance.

The container holds only your cargo: lower unit cost, less handling damage, simpler CBP entry.

Shared container space billed per CBM, suited to roughly 1–15 CBM shipments.

The projected arrival at destination port — an estimate, not a commitment.

The projected sailing date from the load port; factory lead times are usually planned backward from it.

Transport contract, cargo receipt and document of title — the paper that controls release of your cargo.

The classification number that sets your duty rate, Section 301 exposure and admissibility.

Issued in the export country to evidence origin, used for duty treatment and trade-remedy questions.

The core entry document that establishes customs value, duty owed and trade statistics.