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Lexicon

Trade Lexicon — 1362 Terms for Indian Traders

A curated vocabulary of international trade. Each term defined twice: once for textbook clarity, once for Indian practitioner context. Browse by letter, filter by category, or search.

Terms

1,362

curated entries

Categories

26

thematic groupings

PDFs

299

2-page briefs

Source

ICC / WTO / WCO

+India-specific

A · 53 terms

PDF

Aval

Trade finance

A guarantee added to a bill of exchange or promissory note by a bank, making the bank co-liable for payment.

PDF

ATA Carnet

Customs & duties

International customs document allowing temporary importation of goods into multiple countries without payment of import duties.

PDF

APEDA (APEDA)

APEDA · India Specific

Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority — promotes Indian agro-food exports.

PDF

Airway Bill (AWB)

AWB · Logistics

A non-negotiable document issued by an airline for air cargo — receipt of goods, contract of carriage, and customs declaration.

PDF

Arbitration

Legal

A method of alternative dispute resolution where parties submit their dispute to arbitrators for a binding decision.

PDF

Amazon FBA EU (FBA)

FBA · Digital

Fulfilment by Amazon EU — Amazon\' service storing sellers' products in EU warehouses and handling shipping to EU consumers.

B · 54 terms

PDF

Bank Guarantee (BG)

BG · Trade finance

An undertaking by a bank to pay the beneficiary if the applicant fails to perform. Types: performance, advance payment, bid, retention.

PDF

Back-to-Back LC

Trade finance

A new LC opened by an exporter using the original import LC as collateral, in favour of the exporter\' supplier.

C · 129 terms

PDF

Confirmed LC

Trade finance

An LC confirmed by a bank in the exporter\' country, adding that bank\' independent payment undertaking.

PDF

Cumulation

Fta Roo

FTA provision allowing inputs from certain countries to be treated as originating materials when calculating origin content.

PDF

Customs Bond

Customs & duties

A financial guarantee provided by an importer or their agent to customs authorities ensuring payment of duties.

PDF

CE Marking (CE)

CE · Regulatory

Mandatory EU conformity marking indicating compliance with EU health, safety, and environmental protection standards.

PDF

CDSCO (CDSCO)

CDSCO · Regulatory

Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation — India\' national regulatory body for pharmaceuticals and medical devices.

PDF

CBAM (CBAM)

CBAM · Regulatory

Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism — EU carbon price on imports of steel, aluminium, cement, fertilisers, electricity, hydrogen.

PDF

CSRD (CSRD)

CSRD · Regulatory

Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive — EU law requiring large companies to report on sustainability impacts.

PDF

CBIC (CBIC)

CBIC · India Specific

Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs — India\' apex customs authority administering customs duty, GST, and customs procedures.

PDF

CII (CII)

CII · India Specific

Confederation of Indian Industry — industry-led non-profit with 9,000+ members and 10 overseas offices.

PDF

CSDDD (CSDDD)

CSDDD · Esg

Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive — EU law requiring large companies to conduct human rights and environmental due diligence throughout their value chains.

PDF

Currency Swap

Payment instruments

An agreement to exchange principal and interest payments in one currency for those in another.

PDF

Copyright

Intellectual property

The exclusive right of an author or creator to reproduce, distribute, and display their original works.

PDF

Compulsory Licensing (CL)

CL · Intellectual property

A government-authorised licence allowing use of a patented invention without consent of the patent owner, typically for public health.

CHIPS Act (CHIPS)

CHIPS · Usa Policy

Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors Act 2022 — $52B USA federal incentive package to bring semiconductor manufacturing onshore. Includes $39B manufacturing grants, $13B R&D, 25% advanced manufacturing investment tax credit.

PDF

CBAM (CBAM)

CBAM · Eu Policy

EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (Regulation 2023/956) — carbon tariff on imports of cement, iron-steel, aluminium, fertilisers, electricity, hydrogen. Definitive period from January 2026 — importers buy CBAM certificates priced to EU ETS.

D · 105 terms

PDF

DG Trade (DG Trade)

DG Trade · Eu Specific

Directorate-General for Trade — the European Commission department responsible for EU trade policy and FTA negotiations.

PDF

DGFT (DGFT)

DGFT · India Specific

Directorate General of Foreign Trade — India\' primary export-import policy body issuing IEC and administering FTP schemes.

PDF

Dual Use Goods

Sanctions

Goods, software, and technology that can be used for both civil and military purposes — subject to export controls.

PDF

Data Exclusivity

Intellectual property

A period during which regulatory authorities cannot use originator clinical test data to approve generic versions.

PDF

Digital Trade

Digital

The exchange of goods and services enabled by digital technologies including e-commerce, digital services, and data flows.

E · 163 terms

PDF

Ex Works (EXW)

EXW · Incoterms & delivery

Seller makes goods available at their premises only. Buyer bears all costs and risks from that point.

PDF

ECGC (ECGC)

ECGC · Trade finance

Export Credit Guarantee Corporation of India — provides export credit insurance covering 60-90% of loss from buyer default or political risk.

PDF

EU MDR (MDR)

MDR · Regulatory

EU Medical Device Regulation 2017/745 — enhanced requirements for medical devices placed on the EU market.

PDF

EU GMP (EU-GMP)

EU-GMP · Regulatory

EU standards for pharmaceutical manufacturing under Directive 2001/83/EC, enforced by national competent authorities.

PDF

EUDR (EUDR)

EUDR · Regulatory

EU Deforestation Regulation — requires products sold in EU to be deforestation-free with due diligence documentation.

PDF

ESPR (ESPR)

ESPR · Regulatory

Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation — new EU regulation covering all product categories with sustainability requirements.

PDF

EU Single Market

Eu Specific

The European Union area in which goods, services, capital, and people move freely without internal border controls.

PDF

EU VAT (VAT)

VAT · Eu Specific

Value Added Tax — a consumption tax applied to goods and services in the EU, typically 20-25% depending on country.

PDF

EU OSS (OSS)

OSS · Eu Specific

One Stop Shop — EU VAT simplification allowing registration in one EU country for all EU VAT reporting.

PDF

EU UCC (UCC)

UCC · Eu Specific

Union Customs Code — the modernised customs code governing all customs procedures in the EU since 2016.

PDF

EU GDPR (GDPR)

GDPR · Eu Specific

General Data Protection Regulation — EU law governing the processing of personal data of EU residents.

PDF

EU Green Deal

Eu Specific

EU\' roadmap to make Europe climate-neutral by 2050, covering energy, industry, agriculture, and circular economy.

PDF

EU Taxonomy

Eu Specific

EU framework defining which economic activities are environmentally sustainable for investment and reporting purposes.

PDF

EU ETS (EU ETS)

EU ETS · Eu Specific

EU Emissions Trading System — the EU\' cap-and-trade carbon market for greenhouse gas emissions from large industrial installations.

PDF

EDQM (EDQM)

EDQM · Eu Specific

European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines — issues Certificates of Suitability (CEP) for APIs sold in EU.

PDF

EMA (EMA)

EMA · Eu Specific

European Medicines Agency — EU regulatory body approving medicines for the EU market.

PDF

EFSA (EFSA)

EFSA · Eu Specific

European Food Safety Authority — provides scientific opinions on food and feed safety underpinning EU MRLs.

PDF

EEPC India (EEPC)

EEPC · India Specific

Engineering Export Promotion Council — apex body for Indian engineering goods exports. Issues COO for engineering goods.

PDF

ECGC India (ECGC)

ECGC · India Specific

Export Credit Guarantee Corporation of India — government export credit insurer covering buyer default and political risk.

PDF

Expropriation

Investment

Government seizure of an investor\' assets — can be direct or indirect (regulatory measures diminishing investment value).

PDF

Escrow

Payment instruments

A financial arrangement where a neutral third party holds funds until obligations of both parties are fulfilled.

PDF

EUIPO (EUIPO)

EUIPO · Intellectual property

European Union Intellectual Property Office — the EU agency for trademark and design registration across all EU member states.

PDF

EU Novel Food

Agro

EU Regulation 2015/2283 governing foods not widely consumed in EU before May 1997 — requires safety assessment.

PDF

EUDR Agro

Agro

EU Deforestation Regulation — agricultural commodities must be deforestation-free with supply chain due diligence documentation.

F · 128 terms

PDF

Factoring

Trade finance

An exporter sells its accounts receivable to a third party (factor) at a discount for immediate cash.

PDF

Forfaiting

Trade finance

Purchase of an exporter\' medium-term receivables at a fixed discount rate, without recourse to the exporter.

PDF

Form A

Fta Roo

The certificate of origin historically used under EU GSP by exporters in beneficiary developing countries. Being replaced by REX.

PDF

FSSAI (FSSAI)

FSSAI · Regulatory

Food Safety and Standards Authority of India — mandatory registration for all food businesses in India.

PDF

FEMA (FEMA)

FEMA · India Specific

Foreign Exchange Management Act — Indian law governing foreign exchange transactions and capital account.

PDF

FIEO (FIEO)

FIEO · India Specific

Federation of Indian Export Organisations — apex body of all Indian export promotion organisations. Issues COO.

PDF

FICCI (FICCI)

FICCI · India Specific

Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry — India\' oldest and largest apex business chamber.

PDF

FATF (FATF)

FATF · Sanctions

Financial Action Task Force — intergovernmental body setting standards to combat money laundering and terrorist financing.

PDF

FSSC 22000

Standards

Food Safety System Certification — GFSI-recognised food safety management system standard.

G · 63 terms

PDF

GSTIN (GSTIN)

GSTIN · India Specific

Goods and Services Tax Identification Number — unique 15-digit number assigned to each GST-registered business in India.

PDF

GST Refund Exports

India Specific

Indian exporters are entitled to refund of GST paid on inputs used in exported goods — exports are zero-rated under Indian GST.

PDF

GDPR (GDPR)

GDPR · Digital

General Data Protection Regulation — EU law governing the processing of personal data of EU residents.

GCC (Global Capability Centre) (GCC)

GCC · Usa India

Captive offshore service centres of multinational corporations — primarily USA-headquartered firms with operations in India. ~1,700 GCCs in India employing 1.9M+ engineers, ~70% serving USA HQs.

H · 20 terms

I · 144 terms

PDF

Incoterms 2020

Incoterms & delivery

11-rule set published by ICC governing delivery, risk transfer, and cost division in international trade contracts. Current edition.

PDF

ICEGATE (ICEGATE)

ICEGATE · Customs & duties

Indian Customs Electronic Data Interchange Gateway — India\' national customs portal for shipping bills and bills of entry.

PDF

IOSS (IOSS)

IOSS · Eu Specific

Import One Stop Shop — EU VAT scheme for goods imported in consignments not exceeding EUR 150.

PDF

IEC India (IEC)

IEC · India Specific

Import Export Code — mandatory 10-digit identification number issued by DGFT for any import or export from India.

PDF

IMDG Code (IMDG)

IMDG · Logistics

International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code — IMO regulations governing transportation of hazardous materials by sea.

PDF

INR Settlement

Payment instruments

Trade settled in Indian Rupees rather than USD — India\' push to internationalise INR for bilateral trade.

PDF

ISO 13485

Standards

International standard for quality management systems for medical devices. Required by EU MDR.

PDF

IATF 16949 (IATF)

IATF · Standards

International automotive quality management system standard — required by automotive OEMs for their suppliers.

PDF

ISPM 15 (ISPM 15)

ISPM 15 · Agro

International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures No. 15 — regulates wood packaging material to prevent pest spread.

Inflation Reduction Act (IRA)

IRA · Usa Policy

IRA 2022 — $369B USA climate + clean energy package. Section 45X advanced manufacturing PTC, Section 30D EV credit ($7,500), Section 45W commercial vehicle credit, Section 45V hydrogen PTC, Section 45Q CCS credit.

iCET (iCET)

iCET · Usa India

Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies — USA-India cooperation track on semis, AI, quantum, biotech, defence-industrial. Launched May 2022. iCET 2.0 agenda announced 2024.

J · 1 term

L · 40 terms

PDF

Letter of Credit (LC)

LC · Trade finance

A bank\' written undertaking to pay the seller a specified amount upon presentation of complying documents within a stipulated time.

M · 27 terms

PDF

Mode 1 Services

Fta Roo

Cross-border supply of services delivered from one country to another without movement of persons — e.g., IT services remotely.

N · 12 terms

PDF

Named Place

Incoterms & delivery

The specific location referenced in an Incoterm designation, e.g., FOB Mumbai, CIF Rotterdam, DAP Frankfurt.

PDF

Negotiation LC

Trade finance

An LC allowing the nominated bank to purchase (negotiate) the draft or documents from the exporter for immediate payment.

PDF

Natural Hedge

Economics

An investment or transaction that reduces a currency or price risk by being naturally offsetting in structure.

PDF

Net Zero

Esg

A state in which greenhouse gas emissions are balanced by removals — achieving carbon neutrality.

O · 42 terms

PDF

OLAF (OLAF)

OLAF · Eu Specific

European Anti-Fraud Office — investigates fraud against the EU budget including customs fraud and smuggling.

PDF

OFAC (OFAC)

OFAC · Sanctions

Office of Foreign Assets Control — US Treasury agency administering and enforcing economic and trade sanctions.

P · 46 terms

PDF

PCFC (PCFC)

PCFC · Trade finance

Pre-Shipment Credit in Foreign Currency — concessional rate pre-export finance from Indian banks in foreign currency (USD, EUR).

PDF

PLI Scheme (PLI)

PLI · India Specific

Production Linked Incentive Scheme — India government incentive paying incremental sales-based subsidies to boost manufacturing.

PDF

Patent

Intellectual property

A government-granted right giving an inventor exclusive rights to make, use, and sell an invention for a limited period.

PLI Scheme India (PLI)

PLI · India Policy

Production-Linked Incentive — Indian federal scheme paying 4-7% of incremental sales over 5 years to manufacturers committing investment thresholds. 14 sectors covered.

Q · 30 terms

R · 160 terms

PDF

Reverse Factoring

Trade finance

Supply chain finance initiated by the buyer where a financial institution pays the supplier early based on the buyer\' creditworthiness.

PDF

REX System (REX)

REX · Fta Roo

Registered Exporter System — EU system allowing certified exporters to self-certify origin on commercial documents.

PDF

RoDTEP (RoDTEP)

RoDTEP · Customs & duties

Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products — India\' WTO-compliant scheme refunding embedded taxes in export goods.

PDF

REACH (REACH)

REACH · Regulatory

Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals — EU regulation governing chemicals and their safe use.

PDF

RASFF (RASFF)

RASFF · Regulatory

Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed — EU\' early warning network for food and feed safety risks.

PDF

RTGS (RTGS)

RTGS · Payment instruments

Real-Time Gross Settlement — India\' high-value domestic payment system for real-time interbank fund transfers.

PDF

RoDTEP (RoDTEP)

RoDTEP · India Policy

Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products — India's WTO-compliant export incentive scheme replacing MEIS in 2021. Per-HS rates 0.3%-4.3% on FOB value, refunded as transferable e-scrip ledger credits.

S · 53 terms

PDF

SWIFT GPI

Trade finance

Global Payments Innovation — SWIFT initiative providing faster, transparent international payments with end-to-end tracking.

PDF

Shipping Bill

Customs & duties

The primary export document filed by the Indian exporter with Indian Customs at the port of export.

PDF

Single Window

Customs & duties

A facility allowing trade parties to submit information through a single entry point to fulfil import/export requirements.

PDF

SOFR (SOFR)

SOFR · Economics

Secured Overnight Financing Rate — the replacement for USD LIBOR in US dollar-denominated financial contracts.

PDF

SEZ India (SEZ)

SEZ · India Specific

Special Economic Zone — designated area in India where export-oriented units operate under special economic regulations.

PDF

SBTi (SBTi)

SBTi · Esg

Science Based Targets initiative — enables businesses to set emission reduction targets aligned with climate science.

PDF

Surety Bond

Insurance

A promise by a surety company to pay a third party if the principal fails to perform contractual obligations.

PDF

SEPA (SEPA)

SEPA · Payment instruments

Single Euro Payments Area — EU-wide payment integration allowing EUR transfers within EU as if domestic transactions.

PDF

SWIFT MT103

Payment instruments

A SWIFT message type for customer credit transfer — the standard international wire transfer message.

PDF

SDN List (SDN)

SDN · Sanctions

Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons list — OFAC\' list of entities with whom US persons cannot transact.

PDF

SCOMET (SCOMET)

SCOMET · Sanctions

Special Chemicals, Organisms, Materials, Equipment, and Technologies — India\' export control list for dual-use goods.

PDF

SA 8000

Standards

Social Accountability 8000 — an auditable certification standard for decent working conditions.

PDF

SPS Measures (SPS)

SPS · Agro

Sanitary and Phytosanitary measures — regulations protecting human, animal, and plant health from risks of pests and diseases.

Section 232 (§232)

§232 · Usa Policy

Trade Expansion Act 1962 §232 — USA national security tariff authority. Used for steel (25%) and aluminium (10%) tariffs since 2018. Now expanded to include derivative products + EV transformers + select machinery.

Section 301 (§301)

§301 · Usa Policy

Trade Act 1974 §301 — USA presidential authority to impose tariffs in response to unfair trade practices. Applied to ~$370B+ Chinese imports across List 1-4 (varying 7.5%-25%).

T · 44 terms

PDF

Transferable LC

Trade finance

An LC allowing the first beneficiary to transfer part or all of the credit to a second beneficiary (usually a supplier).

PDF

Time Draft

Trade finance

A bill of exchange payable at a specified future date, e.g., 60 days after sight or date of shipment.

PDF

TARIC (TARIC)

TARIC · Customs & duties

Tariff Integre Communautaire — EU\' integrated customs tariff with 10-digit commodity codes and all applicable trade measures.

PDF

Transaction Value

Customs & duties

The primary customs valuation basis under WTO rules — the price actually paid or payable for goods sold for export.

PDF

Temporary Admission

Customs & duties

Customs procedure allowing goods to be imported duty-free for a specific purpose and time, on condition they are re-exported.

PDF

Tariff Escalation

Customs & duties

Higher tariff rates on processed goods than on raw materials, discouraging industrialisation in developing countries.

PDF

Trade Diversion

Economics

When an FTA causes imports to shift from a more efficient non-member to a less efficient member due to tariff preferences.

PDF

Trade Creation

Economics

When an FTA causes trade to replace less efficient domestic production with cheaper imports from member countries.

PDF

Trademark

Intellectual property

A recognisable sign or design that identifies products or services from a particular source.

PDF

TRIPS Agreement (TRIPS)

TRIPS · Intellectual property

Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights — WTO agreement setting minimum IP protection standards.

U · 26 terms

PDF

UCP 600

Trade finance

Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits — ICC rules governing letters of credit globally. 39 articles. Current version 2007.

PDF

URDG 758

Trade finance

Uniform Rules for Demand Guarantees — ICC rules governing demand guarantees and bank guarantees. In force since 2010.

PDF

Usance Credit

Trade finance

An LC providing for payment at a future date (30, 60, 90, 120 days) after bill of exchange date or shipment.

V · 1 term

W · 21 terms

PDF

WHO GMP (WHO-GMP)

WHO-GMP · Regulatory

World Health Organisation Good Manufacturing Practices — international standard for pharmaceutical production.

About this collection

What is the AJG Trade Lexicon?
A curated glossary of 1362 international trade terms, organised across 26 categories. Each entry has a definition plus a practical Indian-context note — when it matters, where it's used, and common mistakes. Unlike generic dictionaries, every definition assumes you are an Indian exporter or buyer dealing with cross-border transactions.
How should I use this lexicon?
Three ways. First, reference: look up a term you encountered in an LC, contract, or regulation. Second, learning: browse a category (Incoterms, trade finance, customs) to learn systematically. Third, search: the filter box above narrows by term, definition, or category. Each entry also downloads as a 2-page PDF brief if you want a printed reference.
Are these definitions authoritative?
Definitions follow internationally-recognised sources (ICC, WTO, WCO, UNCITRAL) where they apply. Where interpretation varies by jurisdiction, AJG provides the India-specific reading. For binding interpretations (tariff classifications, legal disputes), always verify with customs authorities or counsel.
Can I suggest a missing term?
Yes. Email enquiry@allfrontierglobal.com with the term and the context where you encountered it. AJG aims to grow this lexicon to 2,000 terms over the next 12 months — matching the WTO/WCO combined trade vocabulary. User suggestions are prioritised.
Why no definition of term X?
The current 299-entry lexicon focuses on India-EU, India-UAE, and India-multilateral practitioner terms. If term X is specific to a different trade corridor (e.g. US-Mexico NAFTA-era vocabulary), it will appear when AJG expands into that corridor. Timeline visible in the library roadmap.
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