TradeEdge

By Jason Kim  ·  Branch Manager  ·  15 years in freight forwarding  ·  Los Angeles · Frankfurt · Chicago In 15 years of managing freight across Los Angeles, Frankfurt, and Chicago, the single most expensive mistake I see importers make is not understanding exactly where their responsibility begins and their supplier's responsibility ends. That line is defined by one thing: the Incoterm on your contract. Most importers know FOB. Some know CIF. A few know DDP. But there are 11 Incoterms rules in total, and the one your supplier quietly inserts into your purchase order could be costing you thousands of dollars per shipment in ways you never see coming. This is the complete reference guide. All 11 rules. Every cost and risk responsibility explained. Use it every time you review a new supply contract. What Incoterms Are — and What They Are Not Incoterms — International Commercial Terms — are a set of standa...

By Jason Kim  ·  Branch Manager  ·  15 years in freight forwarding  ·  Los Angeles · Frankfurt · Chicago In the fast-paced world of global trade, a single three-letter acronym can be the difference between a profitable shipment and a financial disaster. If you are an importer in 2026, you’ve likely seen terms like FOB, CIF, or DDP slapped onto your sales contracts. But here is the reality: many importers sign these agreements without realizing exactly when the risk of loss transfers from the seller to them. If a container is lost at sea or stuck in a port terminal under a specific Incoterm, you could be left footing the bill for goods you never received. In this guide, we demystify the Incoterms 2026 landscape to ensure you maintain control over your costs and your cargo. What Exactly Are Incoterms? Published by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), Incoterms (International Commercial Terms) are the u...