Commercial law and practice
Trusted legal tools are essential for businesses entering global markets. ICC and its network of experts develop model contracts, clauses and the Incoterms® rules which help companies navigate cross-border trade with confidence.
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Trusted legal tools give businesses the confidence to trade globally.
Entering foreign markets can open the door to new customers, supply chains and sources of growth.
Yet many companies, especially SMEs, still lack the legal resources and tools to navigate the contracts, standards and legal documentation that make global commerce possible – leaving international planning feeling risky and complex.
Together with our global network of business and legal experts, ICC develops trusted, practical legal tools and guidance to help companies of all sizes overcome trade barriers and navigate cross-border trade with greater confidence.
These include our model contracts and clauses and renowned Incoterms® rules which give companies a reliable, time-saving starting point for engaging in international trade.
Drafted by legal experts and designed to be balanced across jurisdictions, our work helps reduce the risk of unclear or unenforceable terms and provides a neutral benchmark that makes negotiations smoother.
This work is led by:
ICC Global Commercial Law and Practice Commission
Emily O’Connor, Director – Trade and Investment
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What we stand for
Legal fees are often high – far higher than many companies, especially smaller ones, can reasonably take on. As a result, too many businesses miss out on international opportunities simply because they cannot afford the support needed to draft robust, reliable contracts. ICC’s standard model contracts and clauses provide businesses with clear, reliable and internationally adaptable templates which help save time, reduce legal costs and avoid common legal pitfalls. Covering a broad range of issues central to business-to-business (B2B) trade, the model contracts and clauses are designed to be easily adapted across jurisdictions and feature neutral, balanced positions that foster sustainable, collaborative trading partnerships. Companies large and small – as well as start-ups and entrepreneurs – will benefit by starting negotiations from a solid and trusted legal foundation.
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For more than eight decades, the Incoterms® rules have served as a common language for global trade. By clearly defining the responsibilities of buyers and sellers in cross-border transactions – from delivery obligations to the allocation of risk, transport and insurance – they help reduce uncertainty in what can otherwise be a complex contractual landscape. This wide adoption suggests that businesses trust the rules’ neutrality and clarity, though in practice many users may not fully understand the practical consequences of selecting one term over another. To avoid costly surprises or misunderstandings between sellers and buyers, ICC helps traders use the Incoterms® rules effectively, providing guidance through publications, trainings and engagement with experts in the ICC network.
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Business solutions
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Incoterms® rules
First published by ICC in 1936, Incoterms® rules are a set of eleven three-letter trade terms, reflecting business-to-business practice in contracts for the sale and purchase of goods.
ICC Model Contracts and Clauses
ICC Model Contracts and Clauses provide businesses – from start-ups to SMEs to multinationals – with practical legal tools for international commercial activities, including sales, franchising, trademark licenses, and more.
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