Incoterms 2010: Key Issues

Peppe Santoro
Venture Legal Services
23 February 2011

What are Incoterms?

International Commerce Terms

Developed by the International Chamber of Commerce
(headquartered in Paris, France)
Introduced in 1936 and updated several times up to 2000
Most recent (eighth) edition is Incoterms 2010,
effective from 1 January 2011
A set of rules governing key terms applicable
to international trade

A well-established shorthand to describe those terms

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How are Incoterms used?

Incorporated in sale/purchase contracts by direct reference

Examples of correct use:
- FCA Port of Cork Incoterms 2010
- DDP Servisair Warehouse Cork Airport Cargo Terminal
Incoterms 2010
Standardised approach to a number of detailed and potentially
difficult commercial issues
Significant guidance available from ICC and
experienced professionals

What issues do Incoterms 2010 address?

Transfer of risk
Export clearance
Transport costs
Insurance
Use of carriers/forwarders
Import clearance
Security-related clearances
Electronic freight documentation
They do not deal with transfer of title and
this must be agreed separately

What are the 2010 Incoterms?

EXW Ex Works (named place)
FCA Free Carrier (named places)
FAS Free Alongside Ship (named loading port)
FOB Free on board (named loading port)
CFR Cost and Freight (named destination port)
CIF Cost, Insurance & Freight (named destination port)
CPT Carriage Paid To (named place of destination)
CIP Carriage & Insurance Paid (to) (named place of destination)
DAT Delivered At Terminal (named terminal)
DAP Delivered At Place (named destination place)
DDP Delivered Duty Paid (named destination place)
EXW is least and DDP is most onerous for seller.
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How are Incoterms 2010 arranged?

Incoterms 2010 arranged them into two groups:

(a) those suitable only for sea/inland waterway transport, and
(b) those suitable for all modes of transport.
FOB, FAS, CIF and CFR are suitable only for waterborne
transport.

Incoterms 2000 grouped them into four groups

(E, C, F and D) where:
- Group E is EXW (the most pro-seller term)
- Group F terms make buyer liable for main carriage
- Group C terms make seller liable for main carriage
- Group D terms make the seller liable for arrival

Key Exporter Obligations

The EXW term is most favourable for sellers/exporters but does not
oblige buyer to provide any export information (which the seller
may need)
By contrast the DDP term is most favourable for buyers/importers
and obliges the seller to pay all transportation costs (but not
insurance) and duties and to bear all risk in the goods until they are
delivered
The remaining terms represent a spectrum of risk and
responsibility between EXW and DDP.

Advantages of Incoterms

Speed of negotiation

Common understanding

Well designed mechanism

Substantial caselaw applying various circumstances

Comprehensive

Efficient and effective shorthand

Disadvantages of Incoterms

Can be misapplied/misunderstood by users

Require active consideration of some potentially tricky issues

Other than the above, none that we have yet come across
(but were still looking)!

Other important terms

Variations from Incoterms should be clearly and unequivocally stated.

Warranties/disclaimers as to quality, fitness for purpose and otherwise
should be clear and specifically agreed.

Governing law and jurisdiction clauses (specifying appropriate governing

law and place to resolve disputes)

Language clauses (specifying English as language of contract and disputes)

Alternative dispute resolution (ADR) (principally arbitration and mediation)

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Other resources

Professional advice available both for specific queries and disputes

Venture Legal Services

Article on IEA website: Incoterms Explained

Wikipedia (useful summary/primer)

International Chamber of Commerce website

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Incoterms 2010: Key Issues

Peppe Santoro
Venture Legal Services
77 Sir John Rogersons Quay
Dublin 2
www.venturelaw.ie
@VentureLawIE
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