Industry Retail

Incoterms 2000

Critical points in international transports

In this description, a critical point is that point in transit at which the seller’s obligations cease and the buyer’s obligations commence. The chart is based on the trade terms contained in Incoterms 2000 approved by the International Chamber of Commerce and dealing with the seller’s and buyer’s obligations to one another. The trade terms only concern obligations stipulated in the contract of sale. As the Incoterms take the form of written text, it is difficult to illustrate in a simple manner all the different situations occurring in international transports. The contracting parties may adopt the Incoterms as such as the basis for their contract, but in certain cases amendments and additions can be made. In case of difference of interpretations between this chart and the Incoterms, the latter shall be decisive. As for differences of interpretation between the Finnish and Englishlanguage Incoterms, the latter takes precedence. To avoid misinterpretation, this chart should be used together with Incoterms 2000.

This chart aims at illustrating the relationship between the seller and the buyer in international trade, and at providing a useful tool both for day-to-day work and for drawing up contracts of sale.

International Chamber of Commerce

Original Incoterms 2000 is ICC publication No 560, ISBN 92-842-1199-9, protected under trademark and copyright provisions. All rights reserved. More information: www.iccwbo.org

KEY TO THE TERMS USED

EXW, FCA etc. The official abbreviations for the trade terms. Trade term applicable to transport by ship Trade term applicable to land transport All other trade terms are applicable to any mode of transport. Documents Documents refers to the seller’s and the buyer’s obligation to acquire documents to be produced at certain stages of transit. The validity of the documents are, however, not indicated. Such documents include, for instance, export licences, certificates of...