Hi!
The Incoterm trade term "Ex-Works" (EXW), also being called ex-factory, means the goods are available at seller's or exporter's premises. The seller or exporter can minimize their risk by making the goods available only at their own premises. The buyer or importer must load the goods then arranges and pays for transport, customs clearance and insurance. As the buyer has to handle and pay for all transportation costs including the inland portion in the country of origin, and assumed all risks in the process, it is not an ideal trade option for the buyers or importers who are not familiar with business practices have no connections with any shipping agents or freight forwarders in the country of origin like China in this case.
On the other hand, the ex-work trade could benefit the buyer or importer if the buyer has their own shipping agent situated in China who can offer the buyer some types of specially negotiated shipping rates. It is conceivable that most sellers or exporters in China to certain degree tend to add some extra amount to the actual CFR or CIF costs in order to cover any unexpected expenses.
The buyer must arrange and pay for the transport having taken delivery of the goods. The buyer is responsible for the goods, and anything that happens to them having taken delivery of them. EXW means that the buyer carries all the risk and bears the entire cost for the movement of the goods once they are made available at the seller's premises.
Hope this helps!