{"id":1608,"date":"2025-07-11T09:26:45","date_gmt":"2025-07-11T07:26:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gamerobravo.com\/?p=1608"},"modified":"2025-07-11T09:26:48","modified_gmt":"2025-07-11T07:26:48","slug":"vienna-convention","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gamerobravo.com\/en\/vienna-convention\/","title":{"rendered":"Vienna Convention (CISG): What is it and how does it affect your international contracts?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In an increasingly globalized world, international commercial transactions are part of the daily routine for many companies. However, the diversity of legal systems can generate uncertainty and disputes. This is where the United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods of 1980 comes into play, better known as the Vienna Convention or CISG (by its English acronym).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Understanding the CISG is essential for any company or professional involved in cross-border trade, as it may determine the applicable law to their sales contracts and, ultimately, how potential disputes will be resolved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. What is the Vienna Convention (CISG)?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The CISG is an international treaty that establishes a uniform set of rules for contracts for the international sale of goods. Its main purpose is to facilitate international trade by providing a common legal framework, thus avoiding the need to determine which national law governs a contract. Currently, over 90 countries are parties to the Convention, including Spain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. When does the CISG apply?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The CISG applies automatically to contracts for the sale of goods between parties whose places of business are located in different States that are Contracting States to the Convention. It may also apply when the private international law rules of the forum lead to the application of the law of a Contracting State, even if one of the parties does not have its place of business in a Contracting State. However, some countries have made reservations regarding this basis of application, so its applicability must be assessed on a case-by-case basis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is essential to note that the parties may exclude the application of the CISG, in whole or in part, or modify its effects, through an express clause in their contract. If they do not do so, the Convention will apply by default.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. What matters are governed by the CISG?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The CISG covers the following key aspects of contracts for the international sale of goods:<\/p>\n\n\n\n