Note: The Incoterms DPU replace the old DAT file with additional requirements for the seller to unload the goods from the arriving conveyance. Don`t worry, you didn`t miss them. They don`t exist! The latest edition of the Incoterms rules® is Incoterms® 2020. However, the Incoterms® 2010 remain in force for those who use them. The ICC last updated the Incoterms rules® in 2019. While incoterms® 2020 are the most recent version of the commercial terms, Incoterms® 2010 are still in effect today and can be found under our corporate resources. Since its inception in 1919, CCI has been committed to facilitating international trade. As mentioned above, Incoterms are usually included in the purchase agreement, but this is not the case: to learn more about the evolution of the Incoterms rules®, please see the history of the Incoterms rules®. Incoterms 2020 is the ninth set of international treaty terms published by the International Chamber of Commerce, the first sentence having been published in 1936. Incoterms 2020 define 11 rules, the same number as defined in Incoterms 2010. [6] A 2010 rule (“Delivered to terminal”; DAT)[7] has been removed and replaced by a new rule (“Delivered on-site unloaded”; DPU) in the rules for 2020.
Some terms have a particular meaning in Incoterms, and some of the most important are defined below:[12] The use of Incoterms in international trade is a widespread phenomenon, and disputes often arise due to confusion about them. Before inserting an Incoterm into a contract, it is important that the parties ensure that the Incoterm meets all their expectations and needs regarding the following issues: The terminal can be a port, airport or domestic cargo transfer station, but must be a facility capable of receiving the shipment. If the seller is not able to arrange unloading, he should instead consider shipping under DAP conditions. The four rules defined in the Incoterms 2010 for international trade, where transport is done entirely by water, are as follows. It is important to note that these conditions are generally not suitable for shipments in shipping containers; The time when the risk and responsibility of the goods pass is when the goods are loaded on board the ship, and if the goods are sealed in a shipping container, it is impossible to check the condition of the goods at that time. This information was provided as a resource to® familiarize U.S. exporters with Incoterms. This site is not legal advice, and the information provided is not the official or complete legal definition of an Incoterm®. If you are pursuing a particular export transaction, you will be encouraged to conduct your own due diligence and consult with a lawyer if necessary. Authorized carriers can also be helpful. Incoterms 2010 defines DAP as “Delivered on site” – the seller delivers when the goods are made available to the buyer on the incoming means of transport that can be unloaded at the specified destination. In accordance with the DAP Conditions, the risk is transferred from the Seller to the Buyer from the place of destination specified in the delivery contract.
So, what is an Incoterm? An Incoterm is a universal term that defines a transaction between importer and exporter, so that both parties understand the tasks, costs, risks and responsibilities, as well as the management of logistics and transport from the release of the product until its receipt by the importing country. Incoterms are all possible ways to divide responsibilities and obligations between two parties. It is important that buyers and sellers define in advance the responsibilities and obligations for the transport of goods. Several authors suggest that the Incoterm EXW is better suited for domestic (not international) trade[4] and point out that it is “commonly used in courier shipments when the mail retrieves the customer`s shipment and loads the carrier`s truck. The payment terms for EXW transactions are usually the prepayment and the account opened. [5] Incoterms or International Commercial Conditions are a set of predefined commercial terms published by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) relating to international trade law. [1] They are widely used in international business transactions or procurement processes and are promoted by international business councils, courts and lawyers. [2] The Incoterms Rules, a set of three-letter commercial clauses relating to joint contractual sales practices, are primarily intended to clearly communicate the tasks, costs and risks associated with the transportation and delivery of goods globally or internationally. Incoterms inform purchase contracts that define the respective obligations, costs and risks in the delivery of goods from the seller to the buyer, but they do not conclude a contract themselves, do not determine the price, currency or credit terms to be paid, regulate contract law or define where ownership of the goods passes. For all Incoterms starting with D, there is no insurance obligation, but the insurable risk is borne by the seller. Incoterms® is short for “International Commercial Terms”.
This term represents a very useful way of communicating and is actually intended to reduce confusion between buyers and sellers. The ICC`s world-renowned Incoterms rules® facilitate billions of dollars of global trade each year. This term is largely similar to the CPT term above, except that the seller is required to take out insurance for the goods during transport. CIP requires seller to insure the Goods for 110% of the contract value in accordance with the Institute (A) freight clauses of the Institute of London Underwriters (this is a change from the 2010 Incoterms, where the Minimum Institute was freight clauses (C)) or a similar set of clauses, unless expressly agreed by both parties. The policy must be in the same currency as the contract and allow the buyer, seller and any other person with an insurable interest in the goods to make a claim. It should also be noted that the point at which the risk passes under these conditions has shifted compared to previous editions of the incoterm where the risk passed on the ship`s rails. Different legal practices and interpretations among traders around the world required a common set of rules and guidelines. In response, icc published the first Incoterms rules® in 1936. Since then, we have nurtured and developed them further. Category F (Main Carriage Unpaid), which contains three business terms: Knowing the definitions of these Incoterms is a useful way to facilitate international trade. They make the process smoother and faster for buyers and sellers. The insurance, which is to be offered under the CIF and CIP conditions, has also changed and expanded from institute freight clauses (C) to institute freight clauses (A).
According to the CIF-Incoterms rule®, which is reserved for maritime trade and is often used in the trade in raw materials, the Institute`s freight clauses (C) remain the standard level of coverage and give the parties the opportunity to agree on higher insurance coverage. Taking into account feedback from users around the world, the CIP-Incoterms rule now® requires a higher level of coverage equivalent to the Institute`s (A) freight clauses or similar clauses. [8] [2] Incoterms 2020, ICC Rules for the Use of Domestic and International Trade Terms, p. 20. As with other Incoterms, DDP Incoterm requires the Seller to conclude the contract of carriage or otherwise arrange the carriage at its own expense. However, no insurance contract is required from the seller/buyer. The Incoterms Rules are accepted by governments, judicial authorities and practitioners around the world for the interpretation of the most commonly used terms in international trade. They are intended to reduce or eliminate uncertainties arising from different interpretations of the rules in different countries. As such, they are regularly included in sales contracts around the world[3]. Although these terms are not included in the current version of Incoterms, they may be seen in sales order contracts.
Care must be taken to ensure that both parties agree on their obligations in this case. The DPU-Incoterm represents a new feature of Incoterms 2020, which replaced the DAT-Incoterm (Delivered at the Terminal), which was introduced as part of Incoterms 2010 and in turn replaced the DEQ-Incoterm (delivered ex Quay) established as part of Incoterms 2000. [16] Yes, all contracts using Incoterms are valid if they are agreed by all parties to the transaction and correctly marked on the export-related documents. Although the CCI recommends using Incoterms® 2020 from 1 January 2020, parties to a purchase agreement may agree to use any version of incoterms after 2020. You must clearly specify the selected version of the Incoterms used (i.e. Incoterms® 2010, Incoterms 2020 or earlier®). The risk and cost are not always the same for Incoterms. In many cases, the risk and cost are usually tangible, but this is not always the case. To facilitate trade worldwide, the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) publishes a series of Incoterms officially known as International Trade Terms. Recognized worldwide, incoterms avoid confusion in foreign trade contracts by clarifying the obligations of buyers and sellers. Parties involved in domestic and international trade often use them as a kind of abbreviation to understand each other and the exact terms of their trade agreements. Some Incoterms apply to all means of transport; others apply exclusively to transport by water.
Incoterms are divided into four main categories: E, F, C and D. Although there are other clauses for world trade, such as. B the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States, the incoterm rules® are global in scope. Similarly, the Incoterms rules do not include commercial clauses codified for domestic® purposes, such as.B. the U.S. “Less than Truckload Shipping” (LTL) rule of the United States. .


