Sourcing glossary
EXW
Also known as: Ex Works
An Incoterm under which the seller only makes goods available at its own premises; the buyer handles loading, export clearance, freight and all later costs and risks.
EXW puts the maximum obligation on the buyer. When buying from China, the buyer (or their forwarder) must arrange export customs clearance, which usually requires a Chinese entity with export rights. That makes EXW practical only if you have a forwarder or agent in China.
Related terms
Guides that use this term
Suppliers
How to Write an RFQ Chinese Suppliers Will Actually Answer
What to put in a request for quotation so a Chinese supplier can price it: the fields, the specs by category, a copy-paste template and a WhatsApp first message.
Updated 2026-10-19 · 7 min read
Suppliers
Is My Chinese Supplier a Scam? 12 Patterns and the Checks That Catch Them
The twelve supplier scams importers meet in China, from the bank-account switch to the vanishing deposit, the check that exposes each, and what to do if you already paid.
Updated 2026-10-14 · 8 min read
Shipping
Shipping Small Orders from China to Latin America: Brazil, Mexico, Peru
Courier, air or sea for a first order from China to Latin America, the customs thresholds and taxes in Brazil, Mexico and Peru, and how consolidation works.
Updated 2026-10-10 · 8 min read
Trade terms
EXW vs FOB vs DDP: Which Incoterm to Use When Buying from China
EXW, FOB and DDP compared for China imports: who pays each cost, where risk transfers, and which term suits first-time buyers vs experienced importers.
Updated 2026-09-26 · 3 min read
Shipping
Shipping from China to Amazon FBA: Rules, Options and Pitfalls
How to ship inventory from China into Amazon FBA in the US: carton and pallet limits, labels, importer of record, DDP forwarders, AGL and prep centers.
Updated 2026-09-20 · 6 min read
Yiwu
Yiwu Sourcing Agent Fees: How Agents Charge and What to Compare
How Yiwu buying agents charge: commission ranges, flat and per-container fees, what is included, hidden markups, red flags and how to compare quotes fairly.
Updated 2026-09-19 · 5 min read
Part of Incoterms & Payment.