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    GAFTA contract numbers explained: 100, 125, 88 and more

    What GAFTA contract numbers mean: the goods, delivery terms and origin behind 100, 38, 48, 49 and 88, why 125 is a rule set, and which edition applies.

    Operium Solutions · Updated 25 September 2026 · 5 min read

    A GAFTA contract number is shorthand for one combination of goods, delivery term and, often, origin. GAFTA 100 covers feedingstuffs in bulk on CIF or C&F terms, tale quale; 38 covers grain from Argentina on FOB terms, and 88 full container loads on CIF or C&F terms. A few numbers, such as 125, are rule sets that the sale contracts incorporate.

    As of September 2026, GAFTA's contract search lists 91 numbered entries, four of them forms retired on 30 June 2026. You do not need to know them all, only how the numbering is organised, so that when a recap says "GAFTA 49" you know at once that the buyer brings the ship. For background on the association, read what GAFTA is and what it does.

    How the GAFTA contract numbering system works

    The numbers do not follow a theme, but they do group into recognisable families once you know what to look for.

    Origin families. Several numbers are tied to a shipping origin: 38 and 39 for Argentina, 40 for Argentina or Uruguay, 45 for Brazil, 48 and 49 for Central and Eastern Europe, 59 and 60 for South Africa, and 30 and 31 for Canada and the United States. The set changes over time: GAFTA retired number 27, another North American grain form, on 30 June 2026.

    Shipment and delivery pairs. Several trades exist twice, once on CIF or C&F terms and once on FOB terms: 48 and 49 for Central and Eastern Europe, 81 and 82 for general goods. The difference is who arranges the ship. Under 48 the price includes freight to destination and, on CIF terms, the seller insures. Under 49 the buyer nominates the vessel and insures, and the seller delivers on board. CIFFO and C&FFO are the free-out variants: under GAFTA 100 the buyer then pays the cost of discharge. For more on the CIF side, see CIF contracts for agricultural commodities.

    Condition basis. Some pairs differ in how the condition of the goods is treated. Under both 100 and 101 the goods must be shipped in good condition. Under rye terms, number 101, the seller also answers for their condition at destination: if the goods arrive damaged or in poor condition, the buyer receives a price allowance, agreed between the parties or set by arbitration. Number 100 is the tale quale version, without that guarantee on arrival. The arrival contracts 94 (rye terms) and 94A (tale quale) make the same split for grain.

    Mode of carriage. Sea bulk is not the only option: 47 covers inland waterways and 88, 89 and 90 containers. Number 78 covers rail, on a choice of free carrier (FCA), delivered at frontier (DAF), delivered duty paid (DDP), delivered duty unpaid (DDU) or carriage paid to (CPT).

    GAFTA 100, 38, 48, 49, 88 and 125 at a glance

    Number What it is for Delivery terms
    100 Feedingstuffs in bulk, sold on shipment terms, tale quale CIF / CIFFO / C&F / C&FFO
    38 Argentine grain in bulk, bought at the loading port FOB
    48 Goods from Central and Eastern Europe in bulk, as full cargoes or parcels, sold on shipment terms, tale quale CIF / CIFFO / C&F / C&FFO
    49 The FOB counterpart of 48: goods from Central and Eastern Europe in bulk or bags, delivered on board the buyer's vessel FOB
    88 Goods in full containers, loose or in bags, cartons, drums or tins, sold on shipment terms CIF / C&F
    125 Arbitration procedure (rule set) not applicable

    Every current GAFTA sale form names 125 in its arbitration clause (clause 28 in the 2026 edition of GAFTA 100), so it travels with the contract. See GAFTA and FOSFA arbitration for the procedure.

    Other GAFTA contract numbers worth recognising

    Number What it is for Delivery terms
    47 Goods from Central and Eastern Europe by inland waterway, in bulk FOB
    64 General contract for grain in bulk FOB
    78 Goods carried by rail FCA, DAF, DDP, DDU or CPT, as agreed
    81 / 82 General contract for goods 81 CIF family / 82 FOB
    89 Full container loads, bulk or bags FCA (free carrier)
    90 Full or less than full container loads ex store / FCA
    94 / 94A Arrival of grain in bulk; 94 rye terms, 94A tale quale arrival
    101 Shipment of feedingstuffs in bulk, rye terms CIF / CIFFO / C&F / C&FFO
    109 / 110 109 feedingstuffs, 110 grain, both in bulk ex store / silo
    111 General contract for goods delivered at destination delivered
    120 Rice in bags or bulk FOB
    201 General terms for biomass products in bulk CIF / CIFFO / C&F / C&FFO

    The rules that sit next to the contracts

    A GAFTA sale form has its own clauses on weighing, sampling and insurance, and incorporates separate numbered rule sets for the procedural detail. The main ones referred to in GAFTA 100 are:

    • 72 Insurance Terms
    • 123 Weighing Rules
    • 124 Sampling Rules: sampling, analysis instructions and certification
    • 125 Arbitration Rules
    • 130 the register of GAFTA methods of analysis, unless the parties agree otherwise
    • 132 Fumigation Rules, where fumigation has been agreed

    GAFTA also publishes Expedited Arbitration Procedure Rules (126), Mediation Rules (128) and a set of Optional Clauses (131).

    For anyone taking samples or weights on a quay, that means reading the sale form next to the matching rule set: 123 for weights, 124 for samples. The practical side is in sampling rules in the agricultural trade.

    Which edition of a GAFTA contract applies

    GAFTA revises its forms periodically. Most sale forms, and Rules 124, 125 and 126, were reissued with effect from 1 July 2026. The previous round of revisions took effect on 1 October 2025, and GAFTA's contract search can also show earlier versions.

    For the arbitration rules, the sale form settles the question: its arbitration clause refers to whichever edition of Rules 125 was in force on the day the contract was dated. A contract dated before 1 July 2026 therefore stays under the earlier edition, even if the dispute starts later. For the sale form itself there is no such clause. The edition is whatever the parties agreed, so check which one the recap names and download that version from gafta.com. GAFTA owns the copyright to its forms; we explain them and do not reproduce their wording. We treat FOSFA's forms for oils and fats the same way; see what FOSFA is.

    Before anything else, check that the form number in the recap matches the goods, the origin and the delivery term that were actually agreed.

    GAFTA contract numbers in your own systems

    If the contract number only lives as free text in an email, it is easy to copy wrongly. FOSS is software for inspection companies and the port, with a sector specialist at the table: measurements entered once, outturn per medium against the bill of lading weight, sample tracking and a client portal with live status. To see what that could mean for your own files, get in touch; we start with a free QuickScan.

    Frequently asked questions

    What is the difference between GAFTA 48 and GAFTA 49?

    Both cover goods from Central and Eastern Europe; the difference is who arranges the ship. Number 48 is the shipment contract on CIF, CIFFO, C&F or C&FFO terms, tale quale: the price includes freight to destination and, on CIF terms, the seller insures. Number 49 is the FOB contract, in bulk or bags: the buyer nominates the vessel and insures, and the seller delivers on board.

    Is GAFTA 125 a sales contract?

    No. Number 125 is the GAFTA Arbitration Rules, a separate rule set. GAFTA sale forms incorporate it through their arbitration clause; in the 2026 edition of GAFTA 100 that is clause 28, which refers to the edition of the rules in force on the date of the contract.

    Which GAFTA contract applies to grain in containers?

    The container family is 88, 89 and 90. Number 88 covers full container loads in bulk or in bags, cartons, drums or tins on CIF or C&F terms. Number 89 covers full container loads in bulk or bags on FCA terms, and number 90 full or less than full container loads on ex store or FCA terms.

    What do CIFFO and C&FFO mean in a GAFTA contract?

    They are the free-out variants of CIF and C&F. Under the 2026 edition of GAFTA 100, the buyer then pays the whole cost of discharge. On plain CIF or C&F terms, that form splits discharge costs between seller and buyer at the ship's rail.

    Which edition of a GAFTA contract applies to my deal?

    The arbitration clause in GAFTA sale forms refers to the edition of the arbitration rules in force on the date of the contract. For the sale form itself, the edition is what the parties agreed, so check which one your recap names. Most current forms took effect on 1 July 2026.

    Further reading

    Trade and contractsWhat is GAFTA? Contracts, sampling and arbitration rulesTrade and contractsCIF contract in agri trade: meaning and Incoterms CIF vs FOBTrade and contractsGAFTA arbitration and FOSFA: steps, time limits, appealsTrade and contractsSampling rules in agri trade: GAFTA 124, FOSFA and ISO

    Sources

    • Gafta, Contracts — searchable contract list, copyright notice and effective dates (2026) — https://www.gafta.com/contracts
    • Gafta, Contracts effective October 2025 — list of revised forms (2025) — https://www.gafta.com/contracts/effective-october-2025/
    • Gafta, Contract No.100, Contract for Shipment of Feedingstuffs in Bulk, Tale Quale – CIF/CIFFO/C&F/C&FFO Terms, effective 1 July 2026 — https://www.gafta.com/media/4iqjltba/100_2026.pdf
    • Gafta, Contract No.101, Contract for Shipment of Feedingstuffs in Bulk, Rye Terms – CIF/CIFFO/C&F/C&FFO Terms, effective 1 July 2026 — https://www.gafta.com/media/hkdpx1jo/101_2026.pdf
    • Gafta, Contract No.30, Contract for Canadian and United States of America Grain in Bulk, Parcels, Tale Quale – CIF/CIFFO/C&F/C&FFO Terms, effective 1 July 2026 — https://www.gafta.com/media/fo4on3xa/30_2026.pdf
    • Gafta, Contract No.31, Contract for Canadian and/or United States of America Pacific Coast Grain, Tale Quale – CIF/CIFFO/C&F/C&FFO Terms, effective 1 July 2026 — https://www.gafta.com/media/4dhbsguj/31_2026.pdf
    • Gafta, Contract No.27, notice: retired on 30 June 2026 and no longer in use (2026) — https://www.gafta.com/media/2qlmj2b4/retired-contract-27.pdf
    • Gafta, Contract No.38, Contract for Grain from Argentina in Bulk, FOB Terms, effective 1 July 2026 — https://www.gafta.com/media/wnpdsanm/38_2026.pdf
    • Gafta, Contract No.39, Contract for Feedingstuffs from Argentina in Bulk, FOB Terms, effective 1 July 2026 — https://www.gafta.com/media/vrdh1cxt/39_2026.pdf
    • Gafta, Contract No.40, Contract for Grain from Argentina or Uruguay, Tale Quale – CIF/CIFFO/C&F/C&FFO Terms, effective 1 July 2026 — https://www.gafta.com/media/e55payqk/40_2026.pdf
    • Gafta, Contract No.45, Contract for Brazil, Tale Quale – CIF/CIFFO/C&F/C&FFO Terms, effective 1 July 2026 — https://www.gafta.com/media/rwdiytnu/45_2026.pdf
    • Gafta, Contract No.47, Contract for the Delivery of Goods by Inland Waterways Central and Eastern Europe in Bulk, FOB Terms, effective 1 July 2026 — https://www.gafta.com/media/ciimsrvj/47_2026.pdf
    • Gafta, Contract No.48, Contract for the Shipment of Goods from Central and Eastern Europe in Bulk, Parcels or Cargoes, Tale Quale – CIF/CIFFO/C&F/C&FFO Terms, effective 1 July 2026 — https://www.gafta.com/media/tthjkq34/48_2026.pdf
    • Gafta, Contract No.49, Contract for the Delivery of Goods Central and Eastern Europe in Bulk or Bags, FOB Terms, effective 1 July 2026 — https://www.gafta.com/media/caxjxxds/49_2026.pdf
    • Gafta, Contract No.59, Contract for South African Grain in Bulk, Cargoes, Tale Quale – CIF/CIFFO/C&F/C&FFO Terms, effective 1 July 2026 — https://www.gafta.com/media/ycqfh4ve/59_2026.pdf
    • Gafta, Contract No.60, Contract for South African Grain in Bulk, Parcels, Tale Quale – CIF/CIFFO/C&F/C&FFO Terms, effective 1 July 2026 — https://www.gafta.com/media/dtseblkp/60_2026.pdf
    • Gafta, Contract No.64, General Contract for Grain in Bulk, FOB Terms, effective 1 July 2026 — https://www.gafta.com/media/fkwfpzye/64_2026.pdf
    • Gafta, Contract No.78, Contract for Goods by Rail, effective 1 July 2026 — https://www.gafta.com/media/2cxe5csq/78_2026.pdf
    • Gafta, Contract No.81, General Contract, CIF/CIFFO/C&F/C&FFO Terms, effective 1 July 2026 — https://www.gafta.com/media/yvcpyaxo/81_2026.pdf
    • Gafta, Contract No.82, General Contract, Free on Board Terms, effective 1 July 2026 — https://www.gafta.com/media/ldzjzaxq/82_2026.pdf
    • Gafta, Contract No.88, Contract for Full Container Loads (FCL), Bulk or Bags, Cartons, Drums or Tins, CIF / C&F Terms, effective 1 July 2026 — https://www.gafta.com/media/zy4itq5t/88_2026.pdf
    • Gafta, Contract No.89, Contract for Full Container Loads (FCL), Bulk or Bags, Free Carrier (FCA) Terms, effective 1 July 2026 — https://www.gafta.com/media/5jrnz4uo/89_2026.pdf
    • Gafta, Contract No.90, Contract for Full Container Loads (FCL or LCL), Ex Store/FCA Terms, effective 1 July 2026 — https://www.gafta.com/media/lixl5eyi/90_2026.pdf
    • Gafta, Contract No.94, Contract for the Arrival of Grain in Bulk, Rye Terms, effective 1 July 2026 — https://www.gafta.com/media/ua4hspcg/94_2026.pdf
    • Gafta, Contract No.94A, Contract for the Arrival of Grain in Bulk, Tale Quale, effective 1 July 2026 — https://www.gafta.com/media/csokeg1l/94a_2026.pdf
    • Gafta, Contract No.109, Contract for Feeding Stuffs in Bulk, Ex Store/Silo, effective 1 July 2026 — https://www.gafta.com/media/3f2fokzu/109_2026.pdf
    • Gafta, Contract No.110, Contract for Grain in Bulk, Ex Store/Silo, effective 1 July 2026 — https://www.gafta.com/media/0a4h0ytb/110_2026.pdf
    • Gafta, Contract No.111, General Contract for Goods to be Delivered at Destination, effective 1 July 2026 — https://www.gafta.com/media/z0bd0pgr/111_2026.pdf
    • Gafta, Contract No.120, FOB Contract for Rice in Bags or Bulk, effective 1 July 2026 — https://www.gafta.com/media/czhofe4w/120_2026.pdf
    • Gafta, Contract No.201, General Terms Biomass Products in Bulk, CIF/CIFFO/C&F/C&FFO Terms, effective 1 July 2026 — https://www.gafta.com/media/ad0jetgk/201_2026.pdf
    • Gafta, Insurance Terms No.72, effective 1 June 2014 — https://www.gafta.com/media/zcdo2kcf/72_2014.pdf
    • Gafta, Weighing Rules No.123, effective for contracts dated from 1 January 2022 — https://www.gafta.com/media/ssqmqnc4/123-gafta-rules-weighing-rules.pdf
    • Gafta, Sampling Rules No.124, Rules for Sampling, Analysis Instructions and Certification, effective for contracts dated from 1 July 2026 — https://www.gafta.com/media/5qynr511/124_2026.pdf
    • Gafta, Arbitration Rules No.125, effective for contracts dated from 1 July 2026 — https://www.gafta.com/media/3a0a4vep/125_july_2026.pdf
    • Gafta, Expedited Arbitration Procedure Rules No.126, effective for contracts dated from 1 July 2026 — https://www.gafta.com/media/ohhaoq1g/126_july_2026.pdf
    • Gafta, Mediation Rules No.128, effective for contracts dated from 1 October 2025 — https://www.gafta.com/media/zy3b5odc/128_2025.pdf
    • Gafta, No.130 Register of Analysis Methods, listed on /contracts as effective from January 2018; Introduction to Gafta Contractual Analysis effective 1 January 2021 — https://www.gafta.com/register-of-analysis-methods/
    • Gafta, Form No.131, Optional Clauses, effective from 1 July 2026 — https://www.gafta.com/media/oxkjvj4n/131_2026.pdf
    • Gafta, Fumigation Rules No.132, PDF: effective for contracts dated from 12/02/2024 (the /contracts list shows October 2024) — https://www.gafta.com/media/mdbbtuyg/132_2024.pdf

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