Precise correspondence with an international buyer prevents costly mistakes. This article gathers the essential terms in three parts: rug specifications, customs tariffs and delivery terms.
Rug specifications
| Persian term (transliterated) | English | Note |
|---|---|---|
| farsh | Rug / Carpet | In present-day usage, carpet is usually fixed to the floor and a rug is not 1 |
| farsh-e mashini | Machine-made | For precision, also state the weaving method |
| bafteh | Woven | Wilton, Axminster and velvet belong to this group 2 |
| tafting | Tufted | The pile is pushed into the foundation with needles 1 |
| porz | Pile | Cut pile; loop pile 2 |
| tar / pud | Warp / Weft | 2 |
| ertefa-e porz | Pile height | 2 |
| vazn-e porz | Pile weight | Write the unit as well |
| heat-set | Heat-set | 2 |
| risheh | Fringe | |
| posht-e farsh | Backing | 2 |
For the Iranian market terms shaneh (reed count) and tarakom (density), we know of no single accepted English equivalent. It is better to write the number with an explanation, for example stating the counting method.
Customs tariffs: Chapter 57
In the Harmonized System (HS) of the World Customs Organization, carpets and textile floor coverings fall under Chapter 57 3.
| Heading | Description |
|---|---|
| 5701 | Knotted |
| 5702 | Woven, not tufted or flocked; includes kilims and similar hand-woven rugs |
| 5703 | Tufted |
| 5704 | Felt, not tufted or flocked |
| 5705 | Other |
The heading for any product depends on how it is made, and countries usually add further digits to this code. Be sure to check the final code with a customs broker or the customs office at the destination.
Delivery terms: Incoterms 2020
Incoterms are rules from the International Chamber of Commerce that specify which party bears the duties, costs and risks of carriage 4. There are 11 of these rules 4.
| Use | Rules 4 |
|---|---|
| Any mode of transport | EXW, FCA, CPT, CIP, DAP, DPU, DDP |
| Sea and inland waterway only | FAS, FOB, CFR, CIF |
How to write them
Write the rule together with a specific place and the version of the rules, for example: FOB [port of loading] Incoterms 2020. The intended version must be clear 4.
What Incoterms do not determine
Incoterms do not determine the contract price, the method and timing of payment, the transfer of ownership or the resolution of disputes 4. These matters must be set out separately in the contract.
A few points for correspondence
- Write numbers with units:
cm,m²,g/m². - Repeat the design and colour codes exactly.
- State whether the quantity is in pieces or square metres.
- Always write a price together with the delivery terms and its validity date.
Summary
Good correspondence means that every number has a unit and every condition is specific. For weaving terms, see also the machine-made rug glossary.
Frequently asked questions
What is the HS code for machine-made rugs?
Depending on the method of manufacture, they usually fall under Chapter 57 3. Woven rugs are under heading 5702 and tufted rugs under 5703. The full code is determined by customs at the destination.
What is the difference between EXW and FOB?
Both are Incoterms rules, but EXW is for any mode of transport and FOB is only for sea and inland waterway transport 4. See the official text of the rules for the details of each party's duties.
Sources
- Ellis, Peter. Floor covering. Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2022. https://www.britannica.com/technology/floor-covering
- The Carpet and Rug Institute. The Carpet Primer. 2017. https://carpet-rug.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/The-Carpet-Primer.pdf
- World Customs Organization. Harmonized System 2022, Chapter 57. WCO Trade Tools. https://www2.wcotradetools.org/en/harmonized-system/2022/ru/1157
- International Trade Administration. Know Your Incoterms. https://www.trade.gov/know-your-incoterms