IndiaUnbox Incoterms Logistics Planner

Choose the right term, book the right mode, and know your landed cost before you ship.
This guide ties together Incoterms, booking checklists, cost math (LCL/FCL/Air), DDP from FOB, and transit-time expectations for India lanes.

Incoterms in a nutshell (what each party pays & when risk transfers)

• FOB (Port India) – Seller clears export and loads on vessel; you book ocean/insurance and handle import/delivery.
  
• CIF/CFR – Seller books ocean (and basic insurance under CIF); risk still transfers on board at origin.
  
• DAP – Seller delivers to your door; you are importer of record and pay duties/taxes.
  
• DDP – Seller/agent is Importer of Record and pays duties/taxes; you get door delivery (check IOR legality by product/country).
  
• FCA/CIP – The modern equivalents for non-sea or containerized moves when handoff is to a carrier, not a ship’s rail.
  

Best defaults:

• Use FOB for most buyers (clean control over freight).
  
• Use DAP for hands-off door delivery when you are IOR.
  
• Use DDP only if an IOR partner is available and allowed for your commodity.
  

Mode & lane decisions (fast rules)

• LCL → FCL often breaks even around 12–15 CBM (lane-dependent).
  
• Air is viable when chargeable weight ≤ 300–500 kg or margin is time-critical.
  
• Prefer direct calls (e.g., Mundra/Nhava Sheva → Europe/US) to reduce trans-shipment risk; check sailing frequency.
  
• Book space early (Sep–Nov) to avoid rolls and GRIs.
  

What to lock at PO (paste-ready)

• Incoterm + named place/port (e.g., FOB Nhava Sheva).
  
• Ship window (start–end), inspections (DUPRO 20–60%, PSI ≥80% packed).
  
• Packaging strength (ECT/BCT), barcode proof pass, pallet ISPM-15.
  
• Broker pre-alert 72h before ETA; free days for demurrage/detention.
  

Documents you’ll need

Commercial Invoice, Packing List, BL/AWB, Certificate of Origin (if applicable), Insurance, Test/Compliance certificates, Importer IDs (EORI/EIN/ABN), and any retailer-specific declarations.

Download: Incoterms & Logistics Planner (Excel)

I built a working planner with calculators and checklists:

IndiaUnbox_Incoterms_Logistics_Planner.xlsx
Tabs included:

• Incoterms_Quick_Guide – who pays what + risk point.
  
• Booking_Checklist – step-by-step from space booking to broker pre-alert.
  
• Shipment_Brief_Form – one-pager to send your forwarder.
  
• LCL_vs_FCL_BreakEven – auto CBM/KG, compares LCL vs 20′ vs 40′ and recommends the cheapest.
  
• Air_Chargeable_Calc – volumetric vs actual weight, cost & insurance.
  
• DDP_Calculator – turns FOB into DDP: CIF, duty, VAT/GST, last-mile, landed $/unit.
  
• Sailing_ETAs – India→US/EU/ME/SEA port-to-port ranges.
  
• Insurance_Calc – ICC-A math (CIF×1.1 × rate).
  
• Container_Load_Plan – CBM/carton, container capacity & max cartons.
  
• Docs_Checklist – what to prepare and when.