• THE INTERNATIONAL COMMERCE & LAW REVIEW
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• v.43
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• pp.53-74
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• 2009

INCOTERMS have been changed almost every 10 years since ICC established INCOTERMS as trade terms for International transaction. Recently transportation has become bigger, and modernized by means of electronic appliances such as RFID, IT, and containerization. FRC, FOR/FOT, FOA were added in INCOTERMS1980 and every conditions are unified into three alphabets in INCOTERMS1990. The best features of INCOTERMS2000 are that FCA substitute FRC, FOR/FOT, FOA and customs formalities were simplified to make clear for each party of contract. It seems that business circles still stick to old customs of their trade like FOB or CIF not only in Korea but in an international practice even though there have been several revisions of INCOTERMS until now. ICC have tried to provide INCOTERMS3000 to solve problems between a theory and an actual condition of international trade. This study has tried to suggest opinions against INCOTERMS3000 and has surveyed a recognition, an actual using situation and issues of INCOTERMS to get improvements. For a recognition of INCOTERMS has been spread as you can find at tables many kinds of business circles still stick to old customs of their trade terms FOB and CIF. Now there are two alternative plans. Firstly, we need to suggest improvements against inconsistency of INCOTERMS to be applied on newly revised INCOTERMS3000 and educating business circles to use proper conditions of INCOTERMS for their doing business. Secondly, we shall participate in revising INCOTERMS to activate multimodal transport conditions of INCOTERMS and provide solutions to fill gap between a theory and an actual condition of international trade. It seems that terms of multimodal transport such as FCA, CPT, or CIP can be a perfect condition for each party of contract. We have examined the inconsistent features of Ship's rail and notions of on board, and observed how to activate multimodal transport terms. These would be hot issues of next revision of INCOTERMS and we provided improvements on each trade terms, THC charges, or others against INCOTERMS.

• The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business
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• v.7 no.10
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• pp.461-470
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• 2020

The objective of this research is to examine the factors affecting the decision-making of International Commercial Terms (Incoterms) of automotive parts manufacturers in Thailand. This mixed method study applied qualitative and quantitative research methods and utilized the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) to prioritize the significance of the factors. By an in-depth literature review and expert interview, four main criteria were identified. These criteria include Operating costs, Cooperation and bargaining power, Knowledge and understanding and Operation duration then main criteria divided into fifteen sub-criteria. The common Incoterms, Ex Works (EXW), Free On Board (FOB), Free Carrier (FCA), and Cost, Insurance and Freight (CIF), were determined as alternatives to the incoterms through a preliminary survey. The results revealed that the operating costs were the most important factor for the company. Moreover, it was discovered that this was consistent with the priority of the secondary factors, which included the annual budget for the transportation expenses and product value at one time. The respondents' perspective suggested that FCA was the most appropriate Incoterms for international trade for a company. The findings of this research suggest a hierarchy model for organizations to prioritize the significant factors in order to make a decision on the most appropriate Incoterms.

• Journal of Korea Trade
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.1-18
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• 2023

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to study how flexibility and mutuality in determining trade terms impact logistics efficiency in the context of relational theory. Additionally, the effect of relational contracts on logistical efficiency relative to the value of the goods being traded is investigated. Design/methodology - According to the relational contract theory, we developed 17 factors utilizing a 7-point Likert scale to measure variables related to flexibility, mutuality, logistics efficiency, and the added value of goods. The survey occurred over four months, and was distributed directly, and via email, phone, and online Google surveys. A total of 403 surveys were collected out of 1,800 distributed, and 380 were analyzed. The principal respondents were import/export companies and members of the Korea International Trade Association and the Korea Small and Medium Business Export-Import Association. The collected data were analyzed using frequency analysis, exploratory factor analysis, and correlation analysis using SPSS ver. 26.0 statistical software, and hypothesis test results were derived using Process Macro ver. 3.5. Findings - This study provides evidence that negotiation flexibility for trade terms affects the efficiency of the logistics process, and the mutuality of such arrangements is shown to be associated with the flexibility and efficiency of logistics processes. Additionally, it has been established that companies whose trade goods possess a low degree of added value may experience increased efficiency in logistics operations if they agree to trade terms that are both flexible and mutually beneficial with their counterparts. Originality/value - This study suggests that in an environment of rapidly shifting global logistics and unpredictable related costs, trade companies may be able to improve logistics efficiency by establishing flexible, mutually beneficial trade terms when entering into contracts. Furthermore, it is suggested that companies dealing in low-value-added products may improve the logistical performance of approaching trade from a perspective of relational contracts.