The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC)
has launched a website devoted exclusively to Incoterms 2000, the 13 standard
trade definitions most commonly used in international contracts: EXW, FCS, FAS,
FOB, CFR, CIF, CPT, CIP, DAF, DES, DEQ, DOU, DDP. Click on
www.incoterms.org for
basic information and background to the Incoterms, to learn how each Incoterm
works, to view the handy Incoterms Wall Chart, and to consult FAQs.
The ICC site also reproduces the 13 Preambles, concise descriptions that explain
the purpose of each Incoterm. The Preambles, however, do not spell out the
obligations of buyer and seller, which are essential to the correct use of
Incoterms. This information is only available from the full text of ICC No. 560,
Incoterms 2000, or, ICC No. 620, ICC Guide to Incoterms 2000, which may be
ordered online from ICC Publishing (www.iccbooks.com)
and ICC national committees around the world.
Correct use of Incoterms goes a long way to providing the legal certainty upon
which mutual confidence between business partners must be based. To be sure of
using them correctly, trade practitioners need to consult the official ICC texts
and to beware of the many unauthorized summaries and approximate versions that
abound on the web.
"Incoterms" is an ICC trademark and the text of Incoterms in whole or
in part is subject to ICC's copyright. Related ICC publications, in printed or
in electronic form. are also subject to copyright. ICC copyright policy is
described in full on the new website.
