Shipping and delivery

Most disputes in cross-border trade are logistics disputes wearing a price label. Agreeing the Incoterm before you accept a quote removes the majority of them.

The Incoterm decides who pays freight, who carries the risk at each leg, and who is responsible for export and import clearance. It is part of the quote, not an afterthought.

Documentation follows the corridor: commercial invoice and packing list always, plus certificate of origin, phytosanitary or health certificates, and inspection reports depending on the commodity and destination.

Read the Incoterms guide first even if you have shipped before, because the 2020 revision changed the insurance obligations under CIP and CIF.