Carriage Paid To means the seller pays the carriage to a named place, but risk transfers to the buyer when the goods are handed to the first carrier.

Is CPT for any mode of transport?

Yes. CPT works for any mode and for multimodal shipments.

Does CPT include insurance?

No. Insurance is not included. If you want the seller to arrange insurance, use CIP.

Where exactly is the named place under CPT?

It is the place to which the seller pays carriage, for example a destination terminal or forwarder’s depot. Specify it clearly in the contract.

When does risk transfer under CPT?

Risk transfers when the goods are handed to the first carrier at origin, not at the named place to which costs are paid.

Is CPT suitable for containers?

Yes. CPT aligns well with container and multimodal moves because the handover to the first carrier happens at or before the terminal.

CPT (Carriage Paid To) | Any Mode, Risk at First Carrier, Who Pays What

Last updated: 18 August 2025

What is CPT?

CPT (Carriage Paid To) means the seller pays the transport costs to a named place, while risk passes to the buyer when the goods are handed to the first carrier. CPT works for any mode and is common for container and multimodal moves.

Risk and responsibility

Task	Party	Notes
Export packing and documentation	Seller	Commercial Invoice and Packing List
Export clearance	Seller	Seller files the export declaration
Handover to first carrier	Seller	Risk transfers at this point
Main carriage to named place (costs)	Seller (costs) / Buyer (risk)	Risk belongs to buyer after first carrier handover
Insurance	Buyer	Optional. Use CIP if seller should insure
Import clearance, duties and delivery	Buyer	At destination country

When to use CPT

Container and multimodal shipments where early carrier handover is practical.
When the seller will pay the freight to a terminal or city, but the buyer accepts risk from origin handover.

Notes and alternatives

For insurance arranged by the seller, use CIP.
For a rule where the buyer arranges the main carriage, consider FCA.
For sea only with freight paid but no insurance, see CFR.
For road legs in Europe where applicable, the consignment note is CMR.

How Clintopia helps

We organise carrier bookings, export entries and precise handovers under CPT. For full planning and routing, see Freight Forwarding. For tariff codes and border entries, see Customs Clearance. For UK port or terminal collections to site, see Container Haulage. For ocean legs, see Sea Freight.

Seller pays carriage to a named place, risk transfers at first carrier

CPT (Carriage Paid To)

CPT (Carriage Paid To)

What is CPT?

Risk and responsibility

When to use CPT

Notes and alternatives

How Clintopia helps

Related terms

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CPT — FAQs