ForewordBy Rajat Gupta, ICC ChairmanThe global economy has given business broader access than everbefore to markets all over the world. Goods are sold in morecountries，in large quantities, and in greater variety. But as thevolumeandcomplexityofglobalsalesincrease,sodopossibilities for misunderstandings and costly disputes when salecontracts are not adequately drafted.The Incoterms® rules, the ICC rules on the use of domestic andinternational trade terms, facilitate the conduct of global trade.Reference to an Incoterms 2010 rule in a sale contract clearlydefines the parties' respective obligations and reduces the riskof legal complications.Since the creation of the Incoterms rules by ICC in 1936, thisglobally accepted contractual standard has been regularlyupdated to keep pace with the development of internationaltrade. The Incoterms 2010 rules take account of the continuedspread of customs-free zones, the increased use of electroniccommunications in business transactions, heightened concernabout security in the movement of goods and consolidates intransport practices. Incoterms2010 updates and consolidatesthe 'delivered' rules, reducing the total number of rules from 13to 11, and offers a simpler and clearer presentation of all therules. Incoterms 2010 is also the first version of the Incotermsrulestomakeallreferencestobuyersandsellersgender-neutral.The broad expertise of ICC's Commission on Commercial Lawand Practice, whose membership is drawn from all parts of theworld and all trade sectors, ensures that the Incoterms 2010rules respond to business needs everywhere defines the parties'respectiveobligationsandreducestheriskoflegalcomplications.ICC would like to express its gratitude to the members of theCommission, chaired by Fabio Bortolot...
