SOURCING / TRADE TERMS
FOB vs EXW for pet product sourcing.
Generic EXW and FOB meanings for pet sourcing talks—not factory defaults. Confirm named place, freight and contracting party per order.
THE SHORT ANSWER
EXW and FOB are generic Incoterms meanings, not this factory’s default terms. Under EXW the buyer arranges pickup at the named place; under FOB the seller delivers on board at the named port. Confirm the named place or port, freight, insurance and the contracting party before comparing prices.
Treat Incoterms as definitions, not a price promise
FOB and EXW are shorthand for delivery responsibilities. They do not fix your unit price, MOQ or lead time. When two quotes use different terms, the numbers are not yet comparable—even if the product photograph looks the same. Ask each supplier to name the term, the named place or port, and what is included in the quoted amount.
EXW in plain language
Under a typical EXW reading, the seller makes the goods available at a named place (often the factory or warehouse). The buyer usually arranges collection, export formalities and main carriage, unless the parties agree otherwise in writing. For pet cartons, that means you (or your forwarder) plan pickup, export filing and the move to port or airport.
FOB in plain language
Under a typical FOB reading for sea freight, the seller delivers the goods on board the vessel at the named port of shipment. Risk generally transfers once the goods are on board. Confirm who pays terminal handling, who books the vessel space and whether insurance is separate—FOB does not automatically include cargo insurance.
What to put in the pet sourcing brief
Write the intended term, the named place or port, who books freight, who arranges insurance, and which legal party issues the invoice. For flat-pack cat trees and textile soft goods, also attach packed carton data so freight estimates match the configuration being bought. PRETTY has its own factory and a trading company for export coordination; confirm which entity contracts for your order.
Compare quotes only after the term matches
Ask every supplier to restate price under the same term and the same named place or port, with packing and labels in the same scope. If one quote is EXW and another is FOB, convert the conversation to one term with your forwarder’s cost stack before you rank suppliers. This page explains generic meanings only; contract wording is agreed per project.
| Field | What to confirm | Review question |
|---|---|---|
| Incoterm | EXW, FOB or other named term | Do all quotes use the same term? |
| Named place/port | Exact place or port of shipment | Is the name written on the quote? |
| Freight & insurance | Who books and who insures | Are these inside or outside the unit price? |
| Document party | Who contracts and invoices | Factory, trader, or both named? |
| Carton data | Packed L×W×H and weight | Can the forwarder estimate freight? |
Common gaps in a buying brief.
Comparing EXW to FOB unit prices
Restate under one term first.
Omitting the named place
Write the place or port on the brief.
YOUR NEXT CONVERSATION
Bring these details to the discussion.
Choose the points you want to review. Your selection will be added to the editable specification notes in your enquiry.
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