Incoterms for Art Projects: FOB, CIF or DAP
Which trade term fits a bespoke artwork, where the risk transfers, and what each party must still arrange.
1. FOB Shanghai
The seller clears the goods for export and loads them; the buyer arranges main carriage, insurance and destination handling. Good for buyers with an established freight forwarder.
2. CIF destination port
The seller arranges sea freight and minimum insurance to the named port, but risk still transfers at shipment. The buyer handles import clearance, duties and last mile.
3. DAP site
The seller delivers to the named site, ready for unloading. Convenient, but it requires a clear access plan, unloading responsibility and a defined delivery window in the contract.
4. What Incoterms never cover
They do not cover installation, import duties, title transfer, warranty terms or artwork approval. Put those in the main contract.
5. Our recommendation
For first orders, FOB or CIF with a named broker is simplest. For a rollout of multiple sites, agree one term across the whole programme.
Every project ships with shop drawings, a numbered crate list and a maintenance note. If your brief needs a different document set, tell us at enquiry stage.
Related reading
- How to Import a Custom Sculpture from China: A Practical Checklist
- Relief Wall Art Cost Guide: What Actually Moves the Number
- GRC, Fibreglass or Cast Resin: Choosing a Relief Material
- Packaging and Shipping Fragile Artwork Overseas
- Installing Large Relief Panels: A Site-Ready Sequence
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Send the brief and the destination. We will return a technique recommendation, a document list and a production schedule.
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