Export contract

About this export contract

This is a comprehensive set of terms and conditions for export sales, for a business selling any type of goods to another business in another country. It aims to give an advantage to the supplier-exporter.

The document is structured as an agreement (that both parties sign), allowing you to negotiate the terms of every transaction with your customer. While it is common to publicise the main terms and conditions of export on advertising materials as being on a "take it or leave it" basis, with this document, you can also vary the terms on an individual customer or shipment basis. Of course, there is nothing to prevent you from using the content of this agreement to create standard T&Cs for your brochures or quotations either.

The export agreement gives a full choice of all 11 current International Commercial Terms (known as Incoterms), a full description of each (so that you can make a decision as to which is best for you). We also provide alternatives if you would prefer to use your own.

We have included many alternative provisions in the agreement for you to select the deal you want in a way that secures payment by your customer as far as possible.

The agreement provides for you to be the party who fixes the terms: such as the date the contract comes into existence, retention of title or returns policy.

The law relating to this export contract

The law concerning export tends to relate to the goods being shipped (customs and duties) rather than the sales agreement. This export contract is common law, which has two benefits.

Firstly, you are free to choose the deal you like. The export agreement follows the basic law of contract covering: price, offer, acceptance, delivery, shipping, acceptance of goods, complaints, and returns. You can vary the terms of any of these to suit you or your customer.

Secondly, common law is used across the Commonwealth and understood in nearly all countries. As drawn, this export contract leaves the supplier to cover statutory requirements at home and the customer to cover them at his end.

When to use this export agreement

• Suitable for exporting to any country, particularly the Commonwealth, the USA and the EU
• Suitable for any types of goods.(But note that the export or import of many classes of goods are specifically regulated in many countries.  We have not taken account of regulations affecting a particular type of goods.)
• Suitable regardless of how the goods will be transported

Export contract features and contents

The export contract includes paragraphs covering the following:

• Price;
• Acceptance;
• Payment, including by letter of credit;
• Transportation: choose from a well explained and full Incoterm list;
• Delivery
• Risk and retention of title;
• Compliance with local standards;
• Inspection;
• Liability for defects or goods not ordered;
• Intellectual property rights;
• Confidentiality;
• Limitation of liability;
• Dispute resolution;
• Uncontrollable events;
• Other miscellaneous points to protect the supplier’s interests.