Journal of Transportation Research

Journal of Transportation Research

Analyzing the Evolution of Incoterms®: From the 2010 to 2020 Editions and Its Impact on Risk Management in Global Trade

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Hamid Mirzahossein 1
Mohammad Reza Kamalinezhad 2
1 rofessor, Department of Civil -Transportation Planning, Imam Khomeini International University, Qazvin, Iran
2 Ph.D., Candidate, Department of Civil Engineering – Transportation Planning, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
10.22034/tri.2025.514751.3342
Abstract
Incoterms, as the global standard for defining responsibilities and obligations related to the transportation and delivery of goods in international trade, play a fundamental role. This set of rules clearly specifies the responsibilities of sellers and buyers at each stage of the goods transportation process, including cost allocation, risk management, and the preparation of documents related to goods delivery. Each new version of Incoterms is updated and revised in response to the growing needs of global trade and the complexities of supply chains. This paper comprehensively examines the key changes introduced in the principles of Incoterms from the earlier versions to the latest one, Incoterms 2020, and provides a thorough comparison of the differences between Incoterms 2010 and 2020. With a particular focus on the significant changes in these two versions, the paper analyzes aspects such as amendments to delivery terms, changes in insurance responsibilities for sellers and buyers, and the emphasis on safety and security requirements. The aim of this paper is to clarify the strengths and weaknesses of each version of Incoterms and to assess the impact of these changes on global trade, particularly in the field of logistics and international transportation. Changes such as the replacement of terms, increased insurance responsibilities under specific conditions, and greater emphasis on safety and security requirements to facilitate trade and reduce risks associated with goods delivery are among the key points discussed in this paper.
Keywords
Incoterms
International Trade
Transportation Responsibilities
Delivery Terms
Incoterms Changes
Subjects
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Journal of Transportation Research
Volume 23, Issue 3
Summer 2026
Pages 207-220