Incoterminology 2020

Incoterms® Rules accompany the goods from the seller on their way to the buyer. Incoterms® Rules concern themselves with almost everything and that could be the reason that – so now and then – people decide not to apply them.

Once I met a logistic manager who turned out to hate Incoterms® Rules. And – of course – then I wish to know why. “They keep me away from where I aim for as I want to give my customers as much service as possible. And that doesn’t work when you prearrange such a ‘thing.” Enough for me to go on. But fortunately his story had not ended yet.

“If you present an Incoterms® Rule to me which agrees with my approach I will no doubt use it,” he said. It took some time to convince him that he shouldn’t fail to pamper his customers, but that he should base himself on the fact that the Incoterms® Rules take care of it.

“Choose”, I said, “in consultation with your customers an Incoterms® Rule which does what you and your customers want it to do.’ And, dear readers, that’s where it’s all about.

A considered transport-choice, a considered payment-term and a considered Incoterms® Rule choice, these are the cornerstones the export-import transaction leans and rests on.