ICC Germany

What ICC Germany does

ICC Germany e.V. is a non-profit association (eingetragener Verein) founded on October 22, 1925, in Berlin, operating as the German National Committee of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC). The organization serves export-oriented German companies, business associations, and the IHK (Industrie- und Handelskammer) network by publishing, distributing, and training on internationally recognized trade standards — including Incoterms 2020 (used in roughly 90% of international commercial contracts and recognized in 120+ countries), ICC banking rules (ERA/UCP 600 for documentary credits, URDG 758 for demand guarantees, ERI/URC 522, URF 800, URBPO, URDTT), and a broad library of ICC Model Contracts for international sale, agency, distribution, joint venture, franchising, and licensing arrangements. ICC Germany also administers the ATA Carnet system in coordination with the World Chambers Federation and German IHKs, with approximately 175,000 Carnets issued globally each year covering ~$25 billion in goods, and supports ICC International Arbitration/ADR engagement (the ICC International Court of Arbitration handles disputes valued at approximately $100 billion annually).

The organization is governed by a Präsidium (with senior executives from Siemens, Deutsche Bank, Commerzbank, UniCredit, Bosch, BASF, Bertelsmann, Euler Hermes, and KPMG among others), a Hauptausschuss, and a Berlin-based management team of roughly 8–9 staff. ICC Germany participates in 12 ICC commissions spanning banking, business integrity, digital economy, IP, trade law, trade policy, arbitration, taxation, environment, competition, and customs, leveraging ICC's UN observer status and formal relations with the WTO, G20, WIPO, and the World Customs Organization.

ICC Germany generates revenue through four main streams: tiered annual membership fees structured by company size, industry category, and organization type; publication and rulebook sales through the ICC Webshop (e.g., Incoterms 2020 German-English print at €39, Essential Kit bundle at €40, ERA 600 at €30, URDG 758 at €36, ISBP 821 at €29, ICC Handbook on Transport and Incoterms at €82); training and certification programs including the Certified Trade Finance Professional (CTFP), Certificate in Digital Trade Strategy (CDTS), Incoterms 2020 Zertifikat (INCO), and Train-the-Trainer programs delivered via ICC Academy and in-house formats; and event sponsorship and engagement tiers. Distribution is hybrid: direct via the Berlin office and iccgermany.de, global via the ICC Webshop and ICC Academy for self-paced online certifications, and domestic via the German IHK channel network for Carnet ATA and local member services.

Name

ICC Germany

Legal name

ICC Germany e.V.

Website

https://iccgermany.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1925

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

ICC Germany e.V. is the German National Committee of the International Chamber of Commerce, publishing Incoterms, banking rules, and model contracts for German export-oriented companies, banks, business associations, and chambers of commerce.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

International Trade Standards and Arbitration Services

NAICS

Professional Organizations (813920), Business Associations (813910)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), International Affairs (9721)

akta.pro primary industry

International Standards Development & Standardization Bodies (BPADANAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Technical Committees, Working Groups & Expert Panels (BPADANAB), Conformity Assessment, Testing, Inspection & Certification Cooperation (BPADANAD)

Keywords

• International trade standards
• Trade finance rules
• Commercial arbitration services
• Incoterms publishing
• International contract templates

Headquarters

HQ city

Berlin

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Annual membership fees from companies, business associations, industry chambers, and individual members. Membership categories include corporate members, associations, IHKs, law firms, and personal members.
2. Publications and Rulebooks: Sale of ICC publications including Incoterms 2020 texts, banking rules, model contracts, and other standards in printed and digital formats through the ICC Webshop.
3. Training and Certification: Seminars, workshops, and certification programs including Certified Trade Finance Professional (CTFP), Certificate in Digital Trade Strategy (CDTS), and Incoterms training. Offered both online and as in-house training.
4. Sponsorship and Engagement: Sponsorship opportunities for events and programs, with tiered membership benefits including magazine access, event invitations, and digital content.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

ICC Germany e.V. is the German National Committee of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and operates as a non-profit business association that publishes and sells international commercial standards (Incoterms 2020, banking rules such as ERA/UCP 600, URDG 758, ISBP 821, ERI 522, URF 800, URBPO, URDTT) and ICC Model Contracts through its webshop, administers the Carnet ATA system via German IHKs, provides access to ICC International Arbitration Court and ADR services, runs training and certification programs (CTFP, CDTS, Incoterms 2020), and advocates for German business interests in international trade policy through 12 ICC commissions. Members include export-oriented companies, banks, chambers of commerce, business associations, law firms, and individuals.

Product overview

ICC Germany is the German National Committee of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), offering a portfolio of standards, publications, training programs, and dispute resolution services for international trade. The core products include the Incoterms® 2020 rules (available as print publications, digital guides, mobile app, and bundled packages), ICC Model Contracts for various commercial arrangements (agency, distribution, sale, consulting, joint ventures, franchising, licensing, etc.), and banking/finance standards (ERA/UCP 600 for documentary credits, URDG 758 for guarantees, URC 522 for collections, URF 800 for forfaiting, URDTT for digital trade). Training offerings include the Certified Trade Finance Professional (CTFP), Certificate in Digital Trade Strategy (CDTS), and Incoterms® 2020 certifications. The organization also provides arbitration and mediation services through the ICC International Court of Arbitration and administers the ATA Carnet system for temporary imports.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Incoterms 2020 — German-English Print Edition Original ICC Incoterms 2020 publication in German-English bilingual print edition, sold at €39 per copy. Used across export-oriented companies, banks, and trading firms to allocate cost and risk in international commercial transactions under the eleven Incoterms clauses (EXW, FCA, CPT, CIP, DAP, DPU, DDP, FAS, FOB, CFR, CIF).
• Incoterms 2020 App Mobile application providing descriptions of all eleven Incoterms 2020 clauses, exclusive content including the full introduction, and a comparison of changes between Incoterms 2010 and Incoterms 2020. Targeted at export-oriented companies and trade professionals needing portable reference.
• Incoterms 2020 Digital Guide Comprehensive digital guide for Incoterms 2020, covering rules, changes from prior version, and practical application guidance. Distributed digitally via iccgermany.de.
• Essential Kit: Incoterms 2020 Bundle Bundled Incoterms 2020 package combining the original ICC text and practical materials for professional use, priced at €40. Targeted at trade professionals needing a comprehensive set.
• Incoterms 2020 Logistik-Set Bundled four-product set designed for logistics professionals for practical application of Incoterms 2020 across transport and trade scenarios.
• ICC Handbook on Transport and Incoterms 2020 (German-English) Practical handbook (German-English edition) covering transport questions and Incoterms 2020, including the complete Incoterms 2020 text. Priced at €82 per copy.
• ISBP 821 — International Standard Banking Practice International Standard Banking Practice for the Examination of Documents under Documentary Credits (ISBP 821), published in English-German pocket book edition at €29. Used by banks and trade finance professionals.
• ERA 600 (UCP) — Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits Pocket book (German-English edition) of the Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits (UCP 600), priced at €30. Used by exporters, importers, and banks for standardized documentary credit transactions.
• URDG 758 — Uniform Rules for Demand Guarantees Pocket book (German-English edition) of the Uniform Rules for Demand Guarantees, including sample texts, priced at €36. Used by banks and trade finance practitioners for guarantee transactions.
• ERR 725 — Uniform Rules for Reimbursement Uniform Rules for Reimbursement under Documentary Credits (ERR/URR 725) publication. Used by banks handling reimbursements in trade finance.
• ERI 522 — Uniform Rules for Collections Uniform Rules for Collections (ERI/URC 522) publication. Used by exporters, importers, and banks handling documentary collection transactions.
• URF 800 — Uniform Rules for Forfaiting International standard rules for forfaiting transactions, published as URF 800. Targeted at banks and trade finance providers engaged in forfaiting.
• URBPO — Uniform Rules for Bank Payment Obligations ICC Guide to the Uniform Rules for Bank Payment Obligations (BPO) — the trade finance instrument that complements letters of credit. Sold as a publication via iccgermany.de.
• URDTT — Uniform Rules for Digital Trade Transactions Rules and standards for the digitalization of trade transactions. Sold as a publication via iccgermany.de and used by exporters, importers, banks, and fintech providers.
• ICC Model Contract International Sale (Manufactured Goods) Neutral framework contract template for international commercial sales of manufactured goods, based on CISG. Suitable for companies of any size across industries and legal systems.
• ICC Model Contract Commercial Agency Short-form model contract template for international commercial agency relationships. Distributed as e-book through icc publications channels.
• ICC Model Contract Distributorship ICC Model Contract for international distribution arrangements, distributed as e-book. Used by exporters and importers establishing foreign distribution networks.
• ICC Model Contract Commissioning and After-sales Services ICC Model Contract template for commissioning and after-sales service arrangements in international trade.
• ICC Model Contract Confidentiality and Confidentiality Clause ICC Model Contract and standalone clause for confidentiality agreements in international business.
• ICC Model Contract Joint Venture (Construction/Infrastructure) ICC Model Contract for joint venture arrangements in construction and infrastructure projects.
• ICC Model Contract Consortium Agreement (Construction/Infrastructure) ICC Model Contract for consortium arrangements in construction and infrastructure projects.
• ICC Model Contract International Consulting Services ICC Model Contract for international consulting services when expanding into new markets.
• ICC Model Contract Occasional Intermediary (NCND) ICC Model Contract template for occasional intermediary arrangements with non-circumvention and non-disclosure provisions.
• ICC Model Contract International Trademark License ICC Model Contract for international trademark licensing arrangements, distributed as e-book.
• ICC Model Contract International Transfer of Technology ICC Model Contract for international technology transfer arrangements, distributed as e-book.
• ICC Model Contract International Franchising ICC Model Contract for international franchising arrangements, distributed as e-book.
• ICC Model Contract Selective Distribution ICC Model Contract for selective distribution arrangements in international trade.
• ICC Model Contracts for Start-ups Set of ICC Model Contracts specifically designed for start-up companies engaged in international business. Distributed as a bundled product via iccgermany.de.
• ICC Force Majeure and Hardship Clauses ICC standard clauses for force majeure and hardship situations in international contracts, used as standalone contractual insertions.
• ICC Model Contract International Sale — Commentary Commentary and legal analysis of the ICC Model Contract for International Sale of Manufactured Goods (Kommentierung ICC Model Contract International Sale). Sold as a publication.
• Carnet ATA System (ATA Carnet Issuance Service) International customs document (ATA Carnet) service enabling duty-free temporary importation of goods across approximately 80 countries for exhibitions, trade shows, and professional equipment. Issued by German IHKs under coordination by ICC Germany, with annual global issuance of ~175,000 Carnets covering ~USD 25 billion of goods.
• ICC Arbitration Services (International Court of Arbitration) International arbitration services through the ICC International Court of Arbitration (in operation since 1923) for resolving international commercial disputes. Handles approximately USD 100 billion in dispute values annually.
• ICC Mediation and ADR Services Alternative dispute resolution services including mediation, expert determination, dispute boards, and Docdex, offered alongside ICC arbitration for commercial dispute resolution.
• Certified Trade Finance Professional (CTFP) Online professional certification program offered through ICC Academy, covering documentary credits, standby letters of credit, and guarantees. Targets trade finance professionals at banks and corporations.
• Certificate in Digital Trade Strategy (CDTS) Online professional certification program covering digital trade strategy and implementation. Offered through ICC Academy.
• Incoterms 2020 Certificate (INCO) Online certification program validating Incoterms 2020 knowledge and application, offered by ICC Germany.
• Incoterms 2020 Train-the-Trainer Program Train-the-trainer program for professionals who want to teach Incoterms 2020. Offered by ICC Germany.

Quantifiable outcome

• Incoterms used in 90% of all international commercial contracts
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• United Nations (UN)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1946ICC holds UN Observer status, enabling its members direct access to the UN and its sub-organizations. ICC represents business interests in UN negotiations on climate, trade, and sustainable development.
• International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) - Parent OrganizationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1919ICC Germany e.V. is the German National Committee of the International Chamber of Commerce. ICC is the world's largest business organization with a network of 45 million members in over 100 countries. ICC Germany represents German business interests within the global ICC organization.
• World Trade Organization (WTO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerICC maintains official relations with the WTO and advocates for business priorities in trade negotiations, including WTO reform and digital trade.
• G20coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerICC represents business interests in G20 processes, engaging with government leaders on trade, investment, and economic policy.
• World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerICC works closely with WIPO on intellectual property standards, supporting innovation-friendly environments for businesses.
• World Customs Organization (WCO)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerICC collaborates with WCO on customs valuation, product classification, trade facilitation, and origin rules.
• World Chambers Federation (WCF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWCF manages the international ATA Carnet system. ICC Germany coordinates with WCF for ATA Carnet issuance through German IHKs.
• Industry and Trade Chambers (IHKs) in GermanycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGerman IHKs serve as local issuance points for ATA Carnets and as contact points for ICC services in Germany. ICC Germany coordinates with the DIHK network.
• ICC National Committees (90+ countries)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerICC's global network of National Committees coordinates business positions across borders on trade, investment, and regulatory matters.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• World Trade Centers Association (WTCA): Global membership network promoting international trade and business connectivity. Thematically aligned with ICC Germany's trade-promotion mission but operates through physical World Trade Center facilities rather than standards publishing.
• ISO (International Organization for Standardization): Global standards development body. Operates in the international standardization space but for technical/industrial standards (not commercial/trade rules like Incoterms), making it an adjacent rather than directly competing peer to ICC Germany.
• International Trade Centre (ITC): UN-joint agency with WTO focused on SME export development and trade intelligence. Operates in adjacent international trade-promotion space and shares the multilateral/policy access character of ICC Germany but is public-sector rather than private-membership driven.

Direct peers

• Eurochambres: European umbrella of chambers of commerce. Directly comparable because it operates as a federation-level membership advocacy body for European business with policy access to EU institutions, paralleling ICC Germany's role for Germany within the global ICC system.
• DIHK (Deutscher Industrie- und Handelskammertag): Umbrella organization of the German IHK (Industrie- und Handelskammern) network. Closely comparable because IHKs also serve as the German issuance points for ATA Carnets distributed by ICC Germany and operate in the same business advocacy and member services space.
• ICC United Kingdom: UK National Committee of the ICC, offering the same standards distribution, training, policy advocacy, and arbitration gateway as ICC Germany — a near-identical business model in another major European market.
• ICC France: Direct sister National Committee of ICC in France. Operates the same membership-plus-standards-plus-policy model for French business and is the closest structural mirror to ICC Germany.
• BDI (Bundesverband der Deutschen Industrie): Germany's main industry federation representing industrial interests domestically and internationally. Highly comparable to ICC Germany as a membership-based business advocacy organization serving large German enterprises and engaging in EU/international policy.

Broad incumbents

• International Chamber of Commerce (ICC): Global parent organization headquartered in Paris that owns and develops Incoterms, UCP, URDG, URDTT, model contracts, and operates the ICC International Court of Arbitration. ICC Germany is the German National Committee of this broader global body and depends on it for core standards authority.

Regional players

• AmCham Germany: German chapter of the American Chamber of Commerce network. Comparable as a Berlin-based membership business association representing multinational corporate interests and engaging in bilateral policy advocacy, though focused on US-German trade specifically.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ICC_Germany
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC LyTrVIcECdE
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/icc-germany

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles26 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ICC Germany