{"id":183318,"date":"2023-10-10T00:53:18","date_gmt":"2023-10-09T23:53:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/?p=183318"},"modified":"2025-07-02T00:37:29","modified_gmt":"2025-07-01T23:37:29","slug":"seller-deliver-goods-to-buyer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/commercial-contracts\/seller-deliver-goods-to-buyer\/","title":{"rendered":"Your Obligations as a Seller to Deliver Goods to the Buyer"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

If you have a contract with a buyer to sell them goods<\/a>, your obligations to deliver the goods are fundamental terms in the contract. Ideally, a contract for the sale of goods will specify your obligations as the seller to deliver the goods. However, where a contract is silent, the law imputes certain obligations onto the seller and buyer. This article will explain what your delivery obligations are as a seller. Also, this article will explain the commercial implications of these delivery obligations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Delivery in a Contract for the Sale of Goods <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The law defines delivery widely. In the most basic sense, delivery refers to how the buyer is to take possession of the goods. In a retail context, delivery is not as important because delivery happens automatically. That is, at the point of sale, the buyer takes possession of the goods at your shop once the purchase is completed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, if you are a manufacturer or a wholesaler, delivery becomes quite an important term of the contract. For instance, the buyer may come to your premises to collect the goods. Alternatively, you may hire a delivery service to transport the goods. You may even transport the goods yourself. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Industry customs and the express terms of the contract typically govern delivery obligations regarding the specific goods to be delivered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cEXW\u201d \u2014 the Default Position <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Ideally, your contract should specify exactly what your obligations are as a seller to deliver the goods. This minimises the chance of any dispute and provides you and the buyer with commercial certainty. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, where a contract is silent on delivery, the law steps in and implies certain terms. These terms are binding; it is though you and the buyer agreed to them yourselves. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

These implied terms state that, you the seller, are to deliver the goods to the buyer within a reasonable time. Effectively, this means you must ensure the buyer can collect the goods from your business premises within a reasonable time. What is reasonable depends on the circumstances. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Industry custom refers to this provision as an EXW. This is short for \u201cEx Works\u201d, or \u201cfrom the buyer\u2019s works\u201d. As a seller, this is the most advantageous position to be in. This places all the transportation costs on the buyer. For high-value goods or goods shipped over distances, this can be quite expensive. The buyer also must meet any insurance costs themselves. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As such, unless you have more bargaining power than the buyer, the buyer will be keen to negotiate express terms that distribute the cost of delivery more evenly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n Continue reading this article below the form\n <\/i>\n<\/a>\n

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