Contract Body

The Contract Body is the core component of a foreign trade contract, typically located after the contract preamble (such as the title, party information, and recitals) and before the contract tail (such as signatures and attachments). It specifies in detail the rights and obligations of both parties, transaction terms, payment methods, delivery terms, inspection, claims, force majeure, arbitration, and other substantive clauses. Use cases include international sale of goods, agency, processing, and various other foreign trade contracts. Notes: The clauses in the body must be clear, specific, and free of ambiguity; they should be coordinated with international trade terms (such as Incoterms) and applicable law; different contract types (such as FOB, CIF) have different emphases in the body. Distinction from other terms: The Contract Body is different from the 'contract preamble' (which only lists the parties and background) and the 'contract tail' (which only concerns signing and effectiveness); it is the substantive content of the contract and directly determines performance and dispute resolution. Foreign trade practitioners should review the body clause by clause to ensure consistency with documents such as quotations and letters of credit.