Trade

Trade is the act of buying and selling goods services with the objective of earning profit. It acts as the bridge between customers and manufactures. The person who engages in the job of buying and selling is called trader. Trade may be either home or foreign trade.

The following is a main definition of trade: -

“Trade refers to the sale, transfer or exchange of goods or services.” – A. N. Agrawala

Terms and Conditions of Trade

1. Types of goods
   The buyer/ importer and seller/ exporter must have a mutual agreement regarding the types of goods. It includes the names of goods, brand, size, color, batch, quality, etc. All those information should be mentioned by the buyer/ importer clearly.
   
   
2. Quantity of goods

   

   
   The quantity of good means the number, weight and measurement of goods. The buyer/ importer while making order of the goods should clearly mention the required quantity of goods. On the other hand, the seller/ exporter should also dispatch the goods exactly as per the order.
   
   
3. Price of the goods
   The seller/ exporter should clearly mention the per unit price of the goods in the quotation letter. It is the major term of foreign trade on the basis of which the buyer/ importer decides to make the order of goods.
   
   
4. Discount
   The seller/ exporter and buyer/ importer must be very clear about the types and rate of discount. It is the facility provided by the seller/ exporter to the buyer/ importer. The type of discount i.e. trade discount or cash discount and rate of discount should be clearly mentioned in the quotation.
   
   
5. Terms of payment
   

   

   The buyer/ importer and seller/ exporter should make an agreement regarding the terms of payment i.e. cash or credit. The seller/exporter may provide the facility of partial payment. If the seller/ exporter has provided credit facility for the whole amount, the duration of credit and payment date must be mentioned clearly.
   
   
6. Delivery
   The date, place and method of delivery should be clearly mentioned in the contract. The exporter should deliver the goods to the buyer/ importer according to the terms and conditions of the contract. Timely delivery of the goods ensures credibility and reputation of the seller/ exporter.
   
   
7. Insurance

   

   
   Insurance is the agreement made with the insurance company for compensating the loss of goods occurred due to the risk of fire, accident, theft or damage. It should be decided whether goods are to be insured then which one will be the insurer and who pays the insurance charges.
   
   
8. Packing

   

   
   The packing of goods is one of the important terms of trade. The buyer/ importer and seller/ exporter should agree upon the right type of packing. They should agree upon whether the packing charge is t be borne by the buyer/ importer or seller/ exporter. The proper packing protects the goods and makes the outlook of the product attractive.
   
   
9. Transportation

   

   
   The buyer/ importer should give clear instruction regarding the carriage of goods. In the absence of clear instruction, the seller/ exporter should dispatch the goods using appropriate means of transportation which is safest, fastest and the cheapest. Further, both parties should be definite for the payment of carriage of goods.

Types of Trade

Trade is of following two types:

1. Home trade
2. Foreign trade