Trade.gov Incoterms Guide
Category: Contract & Resolve Disputes
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Visit resource ↗What it is useful for
Plain-English Incoterms orientation for buyers and sellers before RFQ or PO negotiation.
Helpful terms: IncotermsInternational trade terms that define the named handover place and how cost, risk, freight control, insurance, export handling, and import responsibility are split between buyer and seller., FOBFree On Board usually means the seller handles export and loading on board at the named origin port, while the buyer controls main freight, insurance, destination charges, import clearance, and inland delivery., CIFCost, Insurance and Freight means the seller pays freight and minimum insurance to the named destination port, while many arrival, import, and inland costs remain buyer-side.
Guidance
Best used for: A team needs a fast sanity check on cost and risk responsibility before accepting a quote.
Watch out for: Use it for orientation, not as a substitute for the ICC rule text or contract wording.