Incoterms® 2020

Features an in-depth introduction to help users select the appropriate Incoterms® rule for their sale transaction and incorporates expanded explanatory notes for users at the start of each Incoterms® rule.

What are the key changes in Incoterms® 2020?

The introduction in the most recent version explains the purpose and use of the Incoterms® rules, identifies differences between Incoterms® 2010 and Incoterms® 2020.

Free Carrier (FCA) has been revised for Incoterms® 2020 to cater to a situation where goods are sold FCA for carriage by sea and buyer or seller (or either party’s bank) requests a bill of lading with an on-board notation. FCA in article A6/B6 now provides for the parties to agree that the buyer will instruct the carrier to issue an on-board bill of lading to the seller once the goods have been loaded on board, and for the seller then to tender the document to the buyer (often through the banks).

All costs associated with a given Incoterms rule now appear at article A9/B9 of that rule, allowing users to see the full list of expected costs at a glance. In addition to the aggregated presentation, the costs associated with each item still appear in the respective articles to accommodate a user who wants to focus on a specific aspect of the sale transaction.

The Incoterms® 2020 rules provide for different levels of insurance coverage in the Cost Insurance and Freight (CIF) rule and Carriage and Insurance Paid To (CIP) rule.

CIF Incoterms® rule, which is reserved for use in maritime trade and often used in commodity trading, the Institute Cargo Clauses (C) remains the default level of coverage, giving parties the option to agree to a higher level of insurance cover.  The CIP Incoterms® rule now requires a higher level of cover, compliant with the Institute Cargo Clauses (A) or similar clauses.

It recognises that not all commercial trade transactions from the seller to the buyer are conducted by a third-party carrier.

The latest edition includes clearer and more detailed security-related obligations in articles A4 on carriage and A7 on export/import clearance of each Incoterms® rule. Costs relating to these requirements also appear in the consolidated costs article, A9/B9.

No, simply renamed and moved to more accurately reflect the content of the rule. The former Delivered at Terminal (DAT) has been changed to Delivered at Place Unloaded (DPU) to emphasise that the place of destination can be any place and not just a “terminal,” and to underscore the sole difference from Delivered at Place Unloaded (DPU) – under DAP the seller does not unload the goods, under DPU, the seller does unload the goods.

And since delivery under DAP happens before unloading, Incoterms® 2020 presents the newly named DPU after DAP.

Incoterms® 2020 Training

The ICC Academy, ICC’s dynamic e-learning platform, is offering dedicated training courses, as well as the official Incoterms® 2020 Certificate to ensure that the trade terms are appropriately applied. The curriculum includes interactive case studies that allow trainees to apply their understanding of the Incoterms® rules by simulating real-life work scenarios.

In addition, below is a list of ICC Registered Incoterms®2020 rules trainers, who have passed ICC’s official Incoterms® 2020 examination and can provide further assistance.

Is there mobile access to Incoterms® 2020?

The Incoterms® 2020 app features essential information and insights regarding the commercial trade terms from a trusted source, in one, easy-to-access location.

Download the Incoterms® 2020 app

The Incoterms® 2020 app is the only official app from the creators and guardians of the Incoterms® rules, the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC)

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