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Incoterms® Rules

Learn how to best use the Incoterms® Rules directly from the organisation that created them, the ICC. Our comprehensive range of resources include in-comparison guides showing you when to use different rules, Q&As with ICC experts and our benchmark Incoterms® 2020 certification which is available in four languages.
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What are 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.

Incoterms® rules are a set of standards used in international and domestic contracts for the delivery of goods. They are recognised by UNCITRAL as the global standard for the interpretation of the most common terms in foreign trade helping to avoid costly misunderstandings by clarifying the tasks, costs and risks involved in the delivery of goods from sellers to buyers.

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Free Incoterms® rules resources

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Incoterms® 2020: “C” or “D” rules?
20 January 2026

Incoterms® 2020: “C” or “D” rules?

In this article, Miguel Angel Bustamante Morales discusses the key differences between the Incoterms...
Trade compliance in motion: Inside the role of a Regional Trade Compliance Leader
28 October 2025

Trade compliance in motion: Inside the role of a Regional Trade Compliance Leader

The views and opinions expressed by the interviewee are solely those of the interviewee an...
Should the subject of tariffs be included in your Incoterms® training sessions?
7 October 2025

Should the subject of tariffs be included in your Incoterms® training sessions?

Miguel Angel Bustamante Morales, a certified trainer on the Incoterms® 2020 rules and an active pa...

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Incoterms® certifications

In English
Incoterms® 2020 Certificate
Certification

Incoterms® 2020 Certificate

Get certified on the Incoterms® 2020 Rules directly from the organisation that created them, the ICC.

US$399
In German
Incoterms® 2020 Zertifikat
Certification

Incoterms® 2020 Zertifikat

Lassen Sie sich direkt von der Organisation zertifizieren, die die Incoterms® 2020 entwickelt hat – der ICC.

ab 399, US-Dollar
In Spanish
Certificado de Incoterms® 2020
Certification

Certificado de Incoterms® 2020

Certifica tu experiencia en Incoterms® directamente con la organización que los creó, la Cámara de Comercio Internacional (ICC).

399 USD
In French
Certificat Incoterms® 2020
Certification

Certificat Incoterms® 2020

Confirmez votre expertise en matière d’Incoterms® directement auprès de l’organisation qui les a créés, l’ICC.

399 USD
In Chinese
Incoterms®2020 证书
Certification

Incoterms®2020 证书

直接从制定 Incoterms® 规则的组织——国际商会 (ICC) 认证您的 Incoterms® 专业知识。

从 399 美元起
Companies that use ICC Academy’s Incoterms® certifications and courses
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What our students say

Rozanne De Almeida

I have added this qualification to my LinkedIn profile and I am sure that it has helped with the many job offers that have been referred to me.

Head of Trade, Hatton National Bank, Sri Lanka
Sayed Muhammad Abdullahel Quafi

The most significant benefit…has been the strategic elevation of my role within the bank. It has enabled me to move beyond technical execution…into a more consultative and leadership-oriented capacity.

Senior Assistant Vice President, Dutch-Bangla Bank, Bangladesh
Mohammed Ali

After completing the CTFP…I was subsequently selected for an elite role in State Bank of India’s Global Markets Unit thanks to this certification.

Branch Head, State Bank of India, India
Isuri Kelaniyage

Customers have also shown greater confidence in my advice, especially when dealing with complex documentation and payment terms, knowing that I hold an internationally recognised qualification from ICC.

Deputy Manager, NDB Bank, Sri Lanka
A.K.M Arifur Rahaman Chowdhury

Since it’s a prestigious internationally recognised certification, I have been widely congratulated by my employers, colleagues & friends. In Bangladesh, CTFP has been a sought-after certificate for those who work in trade finance field.

Assistant Vice President, United Commercial Bank, Bangladesh

Frequently asked questions

Who should take the Incoterms® 2020 Certificate?

The Incoterms® 2020 Certificate provides a comprehensive working knowledge of ICC’s globally recognised commercial trade terms, which offer specific guidance for those participating in the import and export of global trade.

This includes several groups of job functions across industries. Corporate professionals such as accountants, auditors, marketing managers, and exporters and importers in SMEs are one group. Trade and logistics providers including custom brokers, freight forwarders, transportation carriers and trade consultants are another. Lastly, banking professionals with functions in compliance, risk management, and trade operations.

Is there a pre-requisite for enrolling in the Incoterms® 2020 Certificate?

There is no pre-requisite for the Incoterms® 2020 Certificate but learners should be able to read and write in English. We also offer the programme in French, Spanish, and Chinese.

How are the courses delivered, and what is the format?

All our certifications and courses can be completed 100% online, meaning you can access them wherever you are in the world, 24 hours a day. Our alumni come from more than 130 countries.

Is the Incoterms® 2020 Certificate globally recognised?

All of our certifications and courses, including the Incoterms® 2020 Certificate, are internationally accredited. This certification is accredited by Bankers Association for Trade and Finance (BAFT), The London Institute of Banking & Finance (LIBF), NCBFAA Educational Institute (NEI), and the Global Trade Professionals Alliance (GTPA). The Incoterms® 2020 Certificate is also the only official online qualification approved by the ICC, so you’ll be getting an authentic understanding of the rules.

What types of resources are available besides certifications and courses?

Apart from Incoterms® 2020 Certificate, we also provide comprehensive guides around the rules authored by our network of ICC experts. These guides and case studies provide in-depth insights and real-world examples to help you navigate applying the Incoterms® rules in your day-to-day work with confidence.

We also regularly publish interviews with our alumni, who share their experiences with the Incoterms® 2020 Certificate programme as well as how they interact with the Rules on a daily basis.

Further your Incoterms® knowledge with ICC certifications.