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Glossary
2026-10-16 12:01

ICPO (Irrevocable Corporate Purchase Order)

An ICPO (Irrevocable Corporate Purchase Order) is a buyer's firm purchase order confirming that it is ready to buy a product on the stated terms if the seller can supply. In EN590 deals sellers often require an ICPO before they issue a full corporate offer.

At a glance

Issued byBuyer
Legally bindingNot a sale contract; obligations to deliver and pay come from the SPA
WhenAfter or instead of an LOI, before the FCO
Typical contentsProduct and specification, quantity and duration, Incoterms and destination port, price basis, payment instrument, bank details or bank name, company details, signatory
Usual answerFCO from the seller

How it is used in EN590 deals

Despite the word irrevocable, an ICPO does not commit the buyer to pay anything. Its value lies in detail and consistency: the same company, address and signatory must appear later in the SPA and in the bank instrument. Sellers use the ICPO to decide whether a buyer is worth a full offer.

Watch out for

  • ICPOs that name a bank which never confirms the buyer's capability.
  • Company details that differ from the official company registry.
  • The same ICPO sent to many sellers through different intermediaries.

Related terms

LOIFCO and SCOPOFSPAGuide: deal documents