what does ex works mean for shipping 
with an ex works agreement the seller saves on shipping customs and liability for damaged goods after being delivered packaged and labeled at the shipping terminal while this may be optimal sometimes for sellers it is not always possible due to customs requirements in certain jurisdictions take the european union for example which restricts non resident corporations from completing export declaration forms in this case an ex works contract would be detrimental to both the seller and the buyer in contrast a free carrier contract that bears shipping responsibility on the seller could offer a more suitable alternative 