The Incoterms® rules, set by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), define the essential terms of trade for the sale of goods under worldwide contracts. Incoterms® 2020 consists of 11 rules divided into two groups: ‘Rules for any mode or modes of transport’ and ‘Rules for sea and inland waterway transport.’

• EXW – Ex Works
• FCA – Free Carrier
• CPT – Carriage Paid to
• CIP – Carriage and Insurance Paid to
• DAP – Delivered at Place
• DPU – Delivered at Place Unloaded (NEW)
• DDP – Delivered Duty Paid

• FAS – Free Alongside Ship
• FOB – Free On Board
• CFR – Cost and Freight
• CIF – Cost, Insurance and Freight
• View our quick reference guide for risks and cost

A 20ft container is the smallest shipping container, that is loaded and unloaded under the risk and account of the shipper or consignee.

Twenty-foot open-topped and open-sided unit that fits into an existing below-deck container and is used for oversized cargo and wheeled or tracked vehicles.

Twenty-foot refrigerated shipping container for transporting perishables having its own stand-alone (self-powered) cooling system.

Twenty-foot container or tanktainer that is an intermodal container for the transport of liquids gases and powders as bulk cargo.

20’ Open top containers have an open top covered by a tarpaulin instead of a solid roof. This enables oversized cargo to be loaded from the top

A forty-foot container is a standard forty-foot container that is loaded and unloaded under the risk and account of the shipper or consignee.

Hi-cube forty-foot container that is loaded and unloaded under the risk and account of the shipper or consignee.

Forty-foot open-topped and open-sided unit fits into an existing below-deck container and is used for oversized cargo and wheeled or tracked vehicles.

Forty-foot refrigerated shipping container for transporting perishables having its own stand-alone (self-powered) cooling system.

Forty-foot refrigerated shipping container having its own stand-alone (self-powered) cooling system that is non operative.

Hi-cube forty-foot refrigerated shipping container having its own stand-alone (self-powered) cooling system that is non operative.

Forty-foot container or tanktainer that is an intermodal container for the transport of liquids gases and powders as bulk cargo.

Forty-foot container fitted with a solid removable roof or with a tarpaulin roof that can be loaded or unloaded from the top.

Hi-cube forty-foot container fitted with a solid removable roof or with a tarpaulin roof that can be loaded or unloaded from the top.

Hi-cube forty five-foot container is loaded and unloaded under the risk and account of the shipper or consignee.

Roll-on/roll-off ships are vessels designed to carry wheeled cargo such as automobiles and trucks.

The average number of pallets that fit in a standard 20ft container is 10. 

A standard pallet can fit 60 boxes, so if a container fits 10 pallets of 60 boxes on average, the number of boxes in a 20ft container is 600.

The average number of pallets that fit in a standard 40ft container is 20. 

A standard pallet can fit 60 boxes, so if a container fits 20 pallets of 60 boxes on average, the number of boxes in a 40ft container is 1200.

92″ wide contoured half width container used for a wide-body aircraft.

61.5″ wide contoured half width container used for a wide-body aircraft.

79″ wide contoured half width container used for a wide-body aircraft. Dimension are according to IATA.

88″/96″ wide contoured full width container used for a wide-body aircraft.

160″ wide contoured full width container used for a wide-body aircraft. (equivalent to 2 LD3s)

125″ wide contoured full width container used for a wide-body aircraft. (equivalent to 2 LD2s)

125″ wide full width container used for a wide-body aircraft. (same as LD6 but without contours; rectangular)

Standard pallet with the dimensions 80 X 120 cm.

Standard pallet with the dimensions 100 X 120 cm.

48″ Long x 40″ Wide wood pallet is the most common size.

A proforma invoice is a type of estimated invoice or a preliminary bill that is sent to international prospects. Basically, it’s like a quote that you send before the actual purchase. It enables them to arrange the necessary finances and documentation such as import licenses. 

The following details must be included in a proforma invoice:

• Information on the buyer and seller
• A detailed description of the items
• Item value
• Harmonized System (HS) codes for the items
• Payment & invoice payment terms
• Delivery details
• Currency used
• Date and expiration date

The commercial invoice is the proof of sale that must accompany all international shipments. It can be similar to your proforma invoice but may contain additional details such as the order number and PO number. 

Commercial invoices are very similar to standard invoices but must include other details that will help with customs clearance. This includes details such as:

• Detailed information on the buyer and seller
• Information on the freight forwarder
• Banking and payment information
• Shipping line
• Item description
• Quantity
• Country of origin
• HS code
• Item value
• Total weight
• Shipment terms

An export packing list contains an itemized list of all the goods included in a shipment along with important details about each item. This document may be used for issuing other important documents such as a bill of lading and a letter of credit. In international shipments, the packing list is essential for the shipment to clear customs. It can also be used if any dispute arises between the shipper and the carrier.

The export packing list will include key information such as:

• Order date, shipping address, and contact info
• Itemized list of shipped items
• Itemized list of items that were out-of-stock
• Quantity of each item
• SKU or UPC numbers
• PO number or slip number
• Dimensions and weight
• Packaging type
• Safety measure

Most international shipments require a certificate of origin to declare where the items originated from. They must be provided in accordance with the rules and regulations of the importing country and certified by the export country’s consulate office or the chamber of commerce.

Certificates of origin must include the following details:

• Name and address of the shipper
• Name and address of the buyer
• Exporting carrier
• Country of manufacture
• Number of packages
• Date of export
• Item description
• Quantity/unit of measure
• Weight
• Signature from the authorized personnel

Also called a certificate of export, this document serves as evidence that the item being shipped is sold or distributed legally in the open market and that there are no restrictions on them in the country of origin. A certificate of free sale indicates that the item has been approved by relevant regulatory authorities and is eligible for export.

This document is typically needed for certain types of products such as cosmetics, food items, medical devices, and biologics.

This document contains specific instructions to successfully transport international shipments. Usually provided to freight forwarders, this document will include details like:

• Name and contact information of the shipper/exporter
• Name and contact information of the freight forwarder
• Details about the items being shipped
• Item weight and dimensions
• Type of packaging
• Special handling requirements
• Exporting restrictions (if any)
• Type of freight
• Insurance information
• Documents included in the shipment
• Special instructions to carrier or freight forwarder

The inland bill of lading is a contract of carriage that’s consigned to the shipping carrier rather than the buyer for the transportation of goods via road, railway, or inland water. It states where the goods are being transported and serves as evidence that the goods have been picked up. The inland bill of lading may include details such as:

• Item description
• Item value
• Origin country
• Destination
• Transportation terms

As the name suggests, this document is required for shipments made across international waters. It serves as a contract between the exporter or seller and the shipping carrier, ensuring that the buyer receives the product, and the seller gets paid. The ocean bill of lading may include details such as:

• Item description
• Item quantity
• Shipment commercial value
• Destination
• Routing instructions
• Type of packaging

This is a contract of carriage for goods shipped by plane, indicating an agreement between the seller and the carrier. It’s non-negotiable and serves as a receipt of goods for the airline carrier once the goods arrive at the destination airport.

An air waybill typically includes the following information:

• Name, address, and account number of the shipper
• Name, address, and account number of the consignee
• Air waybill number
• Airport of departure
• Airport of destination
• Flight date
• Declared value
• Item details
• Charges due to agent/carrier

This is a popular means of payment for international transactions. It’s formal and binding, making it irrevocable by default. It’s a promise of payment to the seller by the bank on behalf of the importer or seller.  

Bill of lading ,or BOL, is a transportation contract between the transportation company or carrier and the business that’s sending out the package. It helps to confirm the receipt of goods that need to be shipped and it needs to be signed by an authorized representative from the carrier’s end. 

Typically, a BOL must include the following details:

• Where it’s shipped from
• Destination
• BOL number
• Details of the carrier/transportation company
• Transportation mode
• Description of goods being shipped
• Shipment terms

A packing list or a packing slip contains an itemized list of all the goods included in a shipment. This helps to ensure that everything’s included in the shipment, confirm that all the items were received, and identify any damaged items.

It includes details such as:

• Order date, shipping address, and contact info
• Itemized list of shipped items
• Itemized list of items that were out-of-stock
• Quantity of each item
• SKU or UPC numbers
• PO number or slip number

A commercial invoice serves as a proof of purchase and includes all the details of the sales transaction between the seller and the customer. It will include details such as:

• Invoice number
• Customer name, address, and contact info
• Seller name, address, and contact info
• Item description and quantity
• Item value
• Item weight
• Shipment terms