Shippers worldwide use standard trade definitions (called Incoterms) to spell out who’s responsible for the shipping, insurance, and tariffs on an item; they’re commonly used in international contracts and are protected by International Chamber of Commerce (ICC). Incoterms significantly reduce misunderstandings among traders and thereby minimize trade disputes and litigation. Familiarize yourself with Incoterms so you can choose terms that will enable you to provide excellent customer service and clearly define who is responsible for which charges.

Last Published: 3/21/2018