“Incoterms” is a short term for international commercial terms. These terms and conditions were first published in 1936 and are a set of 11 rules that define who is responsible for what happens during international transactions.
The Incoterms are an initiative of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) with the goal to make international commercial transactions easier. These are actually a set of rules recognized worldwide by both the Buyer and the Seller of the goods, requiring both parties to know what their obligations are and what to arrange. By using the Incoterms, you do not have to record all of these agreements separately in a purchase contract, as it is clear with one simple reference which party should do what.
In the Incoterms agreements, rights and obligations of the buyer and seller are laid down for the sale and transport of goods. Among other things, it is recorded who arranges the insurance, provides the transport and the point where the risks and costs transfer from seller to buyer. This differs per Incoterm and it is therefore important to see which one is most suitable in your situation.