Incoterms® rules
ICC issues warning on fake Incoterms® rules and deceptive training offers
Please be advised that only ICC and its global offices, known as national committees and groups, are in the position to authentically inform you about the current status of the Incoterms® 2020 rules until their publication in 2019.
In recent months, a number of websites and providers have started to offer information or training on the new Incoterms® 2020 rules. The Incoterms® rules – maintained and revised by ICC since their first publication in 1936 increase legal certainty in international trade and have become an integral part of international trade through their use in contracts for the sale of goods. While encouraging the widespread use of the Incoterms® rules, ICC strongly warns against fake digital versions and fraudulent training offers.
The Incoterms 2010 rules are currently being revised to respond to the market changes that have taken place over the last 10 years, such as increased obligations regarding security procedures. Over the last two years, ICC’s global network has been consulted in the drafting process of the new Incoterms® 2020 rules – which are to be released during ICC’s centennial in 2019 and come into effect in January 2020. A central aim of the revision is to make the new Incoterms rules as user-friendly as possible and to promote a better understanding of the rules that will help users worldwide choose the right Incoterms rule for their transaction and avoid costly errors.
In recent years, numerous fake versions of the Incoterms rules have appeared on the Internet. This includes versions that refer in the title to years other than 2010, or texts purporting to be partial or complete copies of the Incoterms® 2010 rules. ICC warns that any such materials, not sourced directly from ICC or ICC national committees and groups, are highly likely to be fake.
Non-authentic versions of the Incoterms rules contain incomplete, unauthorised or inaccurate information, which if adhered to, may result in mistakes and litigations in contracts.
In light of the 2019 launch of Incoterms® 2020 rules, there is much public speculation about the changes.
In addition to the public release of the new rules, official, ICC certified training will also be made available. Users are also advised to be aware of deceptive “early training” offers from bodies other than ICC, ICC national committees and groups or the ICC Academy, which will offer an online course and exam on the Incoterms® 2020 rules.
For further information, please contact the ICC national committee in your country.
