Incoterms
Also known as: International Commercial Terms
Incoterms are standardised international trade terms that define who is responsible for shipping, insurance, duties and risk at each stage of a delivery.
Published by the International Chamber of Commerce, Incoterms (such as EXW, FOB, CIF and DDP) create a common language so buyer and seller know exactly where responsibility and risk transfer between them — who pays freight and insurance, who handles export and import clearance, and at what point the goods become the buyer's risk.
Getting Incoterms right avoids costly disputes and surprise charges. They matter most in cross-border trade, but the principle of clearly defining delivery responsibility applies to any supply arrangement.
Frequently asked questions
- What are Incoterms?
- Incoterms are standardised international trade terms, published by the International Chamber of Commerce, that define who is responsible for shipping, insurance, duties and risk at each stage of a delivery.
- Why do Incoterms matter?
- They remove ambiguity in cross-border trade about who pays for freight, insurance and customs, and exactly when risk passes from seller to buyer — preventing disputes and unexpected costs.
Related terms
Lead Time
Lead time is the total time between placing an order and receiving the goods, a key measure of supplier responsiveness and supply reliability.
Read definitionFulfilment
Fulfilment is the process of receiving, processing, picking, packing and delivering an order to the buyer after it has been placed.
Read definitionTotal Cost of Ownership (TCO)
Total cost of ownership (TCO) is the full cost of acquiring and using a product or service over its life, not just its purchase price.
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