Shipping guide
Incoterms: start with responsibilities
Trade terms help clarify who does what. They are not a substitute for a complete shipment agreement.
01
Responsibilities
Record who arranges and pays for each stage; identify who handles formalities.
02
Named place
Write the rule, exact named place and agreed edition together.
03
Questions to resolve
Confirm delivery, insurance and handover responsibilities using the actual rule.
Name the rule, place and edition
Incoterms® rules are published by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC). When discussing a shipment, identify the selected rule, the named place and the edition agreed by the commercial parties.
Ask practical questions
- Who arranges and pays for each transport stage?
- Where does the agreed delivery occur?
- Who handles export and import formalities?
- Which party must arrange insurance under the chosen rule?
Read the actual rule
Do not infer responsibilities from a three-letter abbreviation alone. The named place and the full rule matter, and some rules are specific to sea and inland-waterway transport. Consult the ICC’s material and qualified advice for the contract.
Official ICC Incoterms® 2020 overview, reviewed 23 September 2026. This introduction does not reproduce the rules or provide legal advice.
Your next step
Include your trade terms in a quote request