The INCOTERMS (International Commercial Terms) is a universally recognized set of definitions of international trade terms, such as FOB, CFR and CIF, developed by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) in Paris, France. It defines the trade contract responsibilities and liabilities between buyer and seller. It is invaluable and a cost-saving tool. The exporter and the importer need not undergo a lengthy negotiation about the conditions of each transaction. Once they have agreed on a commercial term like FOB, they can sell and buy at FOB without discussing who will be responsible for the freight, cargo insurance, and other costs and risks.
The INCOTERMS was first published in 1936---INCOTERMS 1936---and it is revised periodically to keep up with changes in the international trade needs. The complete definition of each term is available from the current publication---INCOTERMS 2000. The publication is available at your local Chamber of Commerce affiliated with the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC).
Many importers and exporters worldwide are accustomed to and may still use the INCOTERMS 1980, the predecessor of INCOTERMS 1990 and INCOTERMS 2000
| GROUP | TERM | Stands for |
| E | EXW | Ex Works |
| F | FCA | Free Carrier |
| FAS | Free Alongside Ship | |
| FOB | Free On Board | |
| C | CFR | Cost and Freight |
| CIF | Cost , Insurance and Freight | |
| CPT | Carriage Paid To | |
| CIP | Carriage and Insurance Paid To | |
| D | DAF | Delivered At Frontier |
| DES | Delivered Ex Ship | |
| DEQ | Delivered Ex Quay | |
| DDU | Delivered Duty Unpaid | |
| DDP | Delivered Duty Paid |
In practice, trade terms are written with either all upper case letters (e.g. FOB, CFR, CIF, and FAS) or all lower case letters (e.g. fob, cfr, cif, and fas). They may be written with periods (e.g. F.O.B. and c.i.f.).
In international trade, it would be best for exporters to refrain, wherever possible, from dealing in trade terms that would hold the seller responsible for the import customs clearance and/or payment of import customs duties and taxes and/or other costs and risks at the buyer's end, for example the trade terms DEQ (Delivered Ex Quay) and DDP (Delivered Duty Paid). Quite often, the charges and expenses at the buyer's end may cost more to the seller than anticipated. To overcome losses, hire a reliable customs broker or freight forwarder in the importing country to handle the import routines.
Similarly, it would be best for importers not to deal in EXW (Ex Works), which would hold the buyer responsible for the export customs clearance, payment of export customs charges and taxes, and other costs and risks at the seller's end.
