GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 18, 2026
responsibility / competence
Unlike simple task delegation, responsibility in a legal or organizational sense denotes the formally vested authority of a unit or agency to make specific decisions, take actions, and bear the consequences.
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Source: https://www.duden.de/rechtschreibung/Zust%C3%A4ndigkeit
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Incoterms 2020 Simulator: Who bears costs & risk?
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Definition & Explanation
Unlike simple task delegation, responsibility in a legal or organizational sense denotes the formally vested authority of a unit or agency to make specific decisions, take actions, and bear the consequences. In customs operations, it determines which authority may issue rulings, inspect documents, or grant release – and therefore who is liable when things go wrong. In freight forwarding, responsibility between shipper, forwarder, carrier, and consignee must be contractually defined: Who arranges pre-carriage? Who is accountable to the customer in the event of damage or delay? Unclear lines of responsibility are a leading cause of shipment delays and disputes.
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⚖️ ICC Incoterms 2020
Incoterms 2020 Simulator: Who bears costs & risk?
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