Case studies
What went wrong? Four fictional disputes
Each case is invented for teaching, but built on situations that trade professionals see again and again. Read the deal, guess the problem, then check the lesson learned.
Reviewed by: pending — expert review by TermVisa's editor (retired VP, international transport) in progress · Last updated
DDP into a country where the seller can't be importer
A Shenzhen lighting maker quotes 'all-in' DDP to a São Paulo retailer. The containers reach Santos — and nobody can clear them.
Fictional caseFOB used for a container handed over at an inland depot
An Indian tool maker hands a container to the shipping line at an inland depot under FOB Mundra. It is damaged on the rail leg — whose loss is it?
Fictional caseCIF with minimum insurance and a damaged high-value cargo
A high-value machine travels CIF from Taiwan to Poland with minimum cover. It arrives damaged by rough handling — and the insurer says no.
Fictional caseEXW where the buyer couldn't clear the export
An Istanbul distributor sends its own truck to collect machine tools in Stuttgart under EXW. The truck waits — nobody can file the EU export declaration.