Incoterms 2020
CPT

Carriage Paid To

Any transport mode

The seller pays carriage to the named destination, but risk transfers to the buyer when the goods are handed to the first carrier — typically at origin.

Written as: CPT [named place of destination]

CPT

Carriage Paid To

Seller pays carriage, risk passes to first carrier

Any transport mode
Show
SellerBuyer
Risk

Hover a stage to see who is responsible.

SellerBuyerRisk

Cost and risk split here

With CPT, the seller pays for carriage all the way to destination, but risk passes to the buyer at Inland to origin port. The buyer should insure the goods from that point.

StageWho paysWho's at risk
Export packagingSellerSeller
Loading at originSellerSeller
Inland to origin portSellerBuyer
Export customsSellerBuyer
Origin terminal chargesSellerBuyer
Loading on main carrierSellerBuyer
Main carriage (freight)SellerBuyer
Destination terminal chargesBuyerBuyer
Import customs & dutyBuyerBuyer
Inland to destinationBuyerBuyer
Unloading at destinationBuyerBuyer

Seller's responsibilities

  • Clear for export and contract carriage to destination

Buyer's responsibilities

  • Bear risk from handover to the first carrier
  • Pay import, duties, and destination costs

Risk transfer

Under CPT, the risk of loss or damage passes from the seller to the buyer at Inland to origin port.

With CPT, the seller pays for carriage all the way to destination, but risk passes to the buyer at Inland to origin port. The buyer should insure the goods from that point.

Insurance

Not required (buyer may arrange)

When to use it

The any-mode equivalent of CFR — air, road, rail, or multimodal where the seller books carriage to destination.

Watch out

Risk passes very early — at the first carrier — while the seller keeps paying freight. The buyer should insure from that handover.

Frequently asked

How is CPT different from CFR?
CPT works for any transport mode and passes risk at the first carrier; CFR is sea-only and passes risk on board the vessel.