EXW is the IKEA model of shipping: the seller provides the goods, and you figure out the rest. It’s perfect for those who like to keep their hands on the steering wheel from start to finish. Or it’s like a BYO party at your friend’s house, but you’ve got to bring the snacks, the drinks, and maybe even the chairs. It’s like saying to someone, ‘Come over and pick up your online purchase,’ except instead of a vintage lamp, it could be a few thousand smartphones. Enough with the metaphors. You get the point.
In a nutshell, EXW is DIY shipping. It means that if you buy something with EX Works shipping, you’re responsible for picking it up right from the seller’s doorstep. They just need to make sure it’s packed and ready to go with the right documentation. Great for the seller—they just sit back and wave goodbye. For the buyer, it means strapping on your logistics boots and handling everything from A to Z, including any problems from customs or hiccups in transportation.
Despite these nuances, many opt for EXW shipping Not because they are ‘control enthusiasts’, but because of the serious efficiencies they can unlock by doing so. Such efficiencies can be about the flexibility in choosing your own forwarder (wink-wink), consolidating opportunities when you have multiple freights to bundle together, customs clearance considerations etc.
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