Comparative Law On The Contract Of The International Sales Of Goods

Abstract

The study provides a perspective on the configuration and history of the international sale of goods contracts in European states, highlighting the main challenges generated by adapting national legal systems to the UN Convention on the International Sale of Goods (Vienna, 1980). The analysis covers both theoretical aspects, referring to the "lex mercatoria" and the historical evolution of commercial relations, especially on those of a practical nature, being sprinkled with elements of jurisprudence for a better visualization of the configuration of legal systems at the European level in relation to the international sale of goods.

The international sale of goods is now perhaps the world's most frequently concluded trade contract in 2018, with global exports estimated at $19,468.14 billion, 12 times more than 10 years ago in 2008 when they were worth $16,149.3 billion[1]. For example, the revenue from international food sales in 2022 amounted to USD 9,070,722 million and the market is on an upward trend, expected to grow by about 5, 29%. Interestingly, however, in terms of food retailing, at a private level, even during the pandemic period, the share of purchases made online was significantly low, accounting for only 7.8% of total sales.

In the following we will present the international legal perspective on the international sale of goods, focusing on particular examples from each continent.