Who bears what.
WHAT DELIVERY TERMS DO
Define where risk and cost transfer between seller and buyer.
WHY THEY MATTER
They determine who pays for freight, insurance, clearance and duties, and who bears loss.
WHAT THE BROAD CATEGORIES ARE
Terms where the buyer collects at origin Terms where the seller delivers to a port or carrier Terms where the seller pays freight to destination Terms where the seller delivers to the buyer's premises
WHAT TO ESTABLISH FOR ANY QUOTED PRICE
Which term applies.
WHY
A price quoted at origin and one quoted delivered are not comparable.
WHAT A PRICE AT ORIGIN EXCLUDES
Freight, insurance, clearance, duties and inland transport.
WHAT THAT MEANS
The final cost can be substantially higher than quoted.
WHAT TO ASK ANY SUPPLIER
The term, explicitly, alongside the price.
WHAT TO CHECK ABOUT RISK
At what point loss becomes yours.
WHY IT MATTERS
It determines who claims on insurance.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH ABOUT INSURANCE
Who arranges it What it covers Whether it covers the full journey
WHAT A COMMON GAP IS
Cover ending at the port rather than at your premises.
WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT
Arrange cover for the whole journey.
WHAT TO PUT IN THE CONTRACT
The term, using its standard designation, and the named place.
WHY THE NAMED PLACE
The term is meaningless without it.
WHAT TO AVOID
Assuming a term you have not confirmed.