Depending upon the context, the parties in an international trade transaction may be referred to by different terms.

>> Contractual Context
The exporter may also be referred to as the “seller” and the importer also referred to as the “buyer”.

>> Banking Context (Letter of Credit) Terms
The export seller is referred to as the “beneficiary” and the importer as the “opener” or “applicant”.

>> Transport context
The export seller may be referred to as the “shipper” or “consignor” and the import buyer as the “receiver” or “consignee”.