An overview of Incoterms® 2020
An overview of Incoterms® 2020
The Incoterms® (International Commercial Terms) are a set of 11 individual rules issued by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) that define the responsibilities of sellers and buyers for the sale of goods in international transactions.
Of primary importance is that each Incoterms rule clarifies the tasks, costs, and risks to be borne by buyers and sellers in these transactions. Familiarizing yourself with Incoterms will help improve smoother transactions by clearly defining who is responsible for what and each transaction step.
The Incoterms® 2020 rules are updated and grouped into two categories reflecting modes of transport. Of the 11 rules, there are seven for ANY mode(s) of transport and four for SEA, LAND, or INLAND WATERWAY transport.
The seven Incoterms® 2020 rules for any mode(s) of transport are:
EXW – Ex Works (insert place of delivery)
FCA – Free Carrier (Insert named place of delivery)
CPT – Carriage Paid to (insert place of destination)
CIP – Carriage and Insurance Paid To (insert place of destination)
DAP – Delivered at Place (insert named place of destination)
DPU – Delivered at Place Unloaded (insert of place of destination)
DDP – Delivered Duty Paid (Insert place of destination).
Note: the DPU Incoterms replaces the old DAT, with additional requirements for the seller to unload the goods from the arriving means of transport.
The four Incoterms® 2020 rules for Sea and Inland Waterway Transport are:
FAS – Free Alongside Ship (insert name of port of loading)
FOB – Free on Board (insert named port of loading)
CFR – Cost and Freight (insert named port of destination)
CIF – Cost Insurance and Freight (insert named port of destination)
Can I still use Incoterms® 2010 after January 1, 2020?
Yes, all contracts using any incoterms are valid if they are agreed upon by all parties to the transaction, and correctly identified on the export-related documents. Although the ICC recommends using Incoterms® 2020 beginning January 1, 2020, parties to a sales contract can agree to use any version of Incoterms after 2020. They need to specify the chosen version of Incoterms being used (i.e., Incoterms® 2010, Incoterms® 2020, or any earlier version).
Incoterms Clarify Responsibilities of Parties to a Sales Transaction
- For example, in each Incoterm rule, a statement is provided as to the seller’s responsibility to deliver the goods and commercial invoice in conformity with the contract of sale. Likewise, corresponding information is provided which stipulates that the buyer pays the price of goods as provided in the contract of sale.
- Each Incoterm rule has a statement stipulating which party is responsible for obtaining any export license or other official authorization required for export and for carrying out the customs formalities necessary for the export to proceed. Similarly, each rule has a corresponding statement as to which party is responsible for obtaining any import license or other official authorization required for import and for carrying out the customs formalities required for the import of goods. These statements also specify which party bears the cost of handling these tasks.
- Similarly, each Incoterm rule specifies which party to the transaction, if any, is obligated to contract for the carriage of the goods. Another point addressed in each Incoterm rule is which party, if any, is obligated, to provide for cargo insurance coverage. These statements also specify which party bears the cost of handling these tasks. Each rule also contains statements, among others, as to which party is responsible for packing the goods for transport overseas and for bearing the costs of any pre-shipment inspections.
- A final example is cargo delivery. Each Incoterm rule specifies the seller’s obligations for cargo delivery and clarifies when delivery takes place. Each law also specifies when the risk of loss or damage to the goods being exported passes from the seller to the buyer by reference to the delivery provision.
What Incoterms Do Not Cover
As noted above, Incoterms are generally incorporated in the contract of sale, however, they do not:
- address all the conditions of a sale;
- identify the goods being sold nor list the contract price;
- reference the method or timing of payment negotiated between the seller or buyer;
- when title, or ownership of the goods, passes from the seller to the buyer;
- Specify which documents must be provided by the seller to the buyer to facilitate the customs clearance process in the buyer’s country; and
- address liability for the failure to provide the goods in conformity with the contract of sale, delayed delivery, or dispute resolution mechanisms.
Where can I learn more about the new Incoterms® 2020 rules?
The latest version of the Incoterms® 2020 rules is now published by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and protected by copyright. The revised rules reflect the latest developments in commercial transactions.
As of January 1, 2020, all sales contracts should include references to the Incoterms® 2020 rules. You may obtain Incoterms® 2020 rules by visiting the ICC website.
Disclaimer
All content and resources (except images) on this page were copied from the ICC website for reference purposes only. Please refer to the ICC website to learn more about Incoterms® 2020.
The Incoterms® (International Commercial Terms) are a set of 11 individual rules issued by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) that define the responsibilities of sellers and buyers for the sale of goods in international transactions.
Of primary importance is that each Incoterms rule clarifies the tasks, costs, and risks to be borne by buyers and sellers in these transactions. Familiarizing yourself with Incoterms will help improve smoother transactions by clearly defining who is responsible for what and each transaction step.
The Incoterms® 2020 rules are updated and grouped into two categories reflecting modes of transport. Of the 11 rules, there are seven for ANY mode(s) of transport and four for SEA, LAND, or INLAND WATERWAY transport.
The seven Incoterms® 2020 rules for any mode(s) of transport are:
EXW – Ex Works (insert place of delivery)
FCA – Free Carrier (Insert named place of delivery)
CPT – Carriage Paid to (insert place of destination)
CIP – Carriage and Insurance Paid To (insert place of destination)
DAP – Delivered at Place (insert named place of destination)
DPU – Delivered at Place Unloaded (insert of place of destination)
DDP – Delivered Duty Paid (Insert place of destination).
Note: the DPU Incoterms replaces the old DAT, with additional requirements for the seller to unload the goods from the arriving means of transport.
The four Incoterms® 2020 rules for Sea and Inland Waterway Transport are:
FAS – Free Alongside Ship (insert name of port of loading)
FOB – Free on Board (insert named port of loading)
CFR – Cost and Freight (insert named port of destination)
CIF – Cost Insurance and Freight (insert named port of destination)
Can I still use Incoterms® 2010 after January 1, 2020?
Yes, all contracts using any incoterms are valid if they are agreed upon by all parties to the transaction, and correctly identified on the export-related documents. Although the ICC recommends using Incoterms® 2020 beginning January 1, 2020, parties to a sales contract can agree to use any version of Incoterms after 2020. They need to specify the chosen version of Incoterms being used (i.e., Incoterms® 2010, Incoterms® 2020, or any earlier version).
Incoterms Clarify Responsibilities of Parties to a Sales Transaction
- For example, in each Incoterm rule, a statement is provided as to the seller’s responsibility to deliver the goods and commercial invoice in conformity with the contract of sale. Likewise, corresponding information is provided which stipulates that the buyer pays the price of goods as provided in the contract of sale.
- Each Incoterm rule has a statement stipulating which party is responsible for obtaining any export license or other official authorization required for export and for carrying out the customs formalities necessary for the export to proceed. Similarly, each rule has a corresponding statement as to which party is responsible for obtaining any import license or other official authorization required for import and for carrying out the customs formalities required for the import of goods. These statements also specify which party bears the cost of handling these tasks.
- Similarly, each Incoterm rule specifies which party to the transaction, if any, is obligated to contract for the carriage of the goods. Another point addressed in each Incoterm rule is which party, if any, is obligated, to provide for cargo insurance coverage. These statements also specify which party bears the cost of handling these tasks. Each rule also contains statements, among others, as to which party is responsible for packing the goods for transport overseas and for bearing the costs of any pre-shipment inspections.
- A final example is cargo delivery. Each Incoterm rule specifies the seller’s obligations for cargo delivery and clarifies when delivery takes place. Each law also specifies when the risk of loss or damage to the goods being exported passes from the seller to the buyer by reference to the delivery provision.
What Incoterms Do Not Cover
As noted above, Incoterms are generally incorporated in the contract of sale, however, they do not:
- address all the conditions of a sale;
- identify the goods being sold nor list the contract price;
- reference the method or timing of payment negotiated between the seller or buyer;
- when title, or ownership of the goods, passes from the seller to the buyer;
- Specify which documents must be provided by the seller to the buyer to facilitate the customs clearance process in the buyer’s country; and
- address liability for the failure to provide the goods in conformity with the contract of sale, delayed delivery, or dispute resolution mechanisms.
Where can I learn more about the new Incoterms® 2020 rules?
The latest version of the Incoterms® 2020 rules is now published by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and protected by copyright. The revised rules reflect the latest developments in commercial transactions.
As of January 1, 2020, all sales contracts should include references to the Incoterms® 2020 rules. You may obtain Incoterms® 2020 rules by visiting the ICC website.
Disclaimer
All content and resources (except images) on this page were copied from the ICC website for reference purposes only. Please refer to the ICC website to learn more about Incoterms® 2020.