This Practice Note provides an introduction to the types of contracts and disputes which commonly arise in commodities trades as well as an introduction to the various arbitral bodies which handle such disputes. In particular, the Practice Note: considers the distinction between hard and soft commodities; provides an overview of contracts of affreightment and charterparties; discusses cost, insurance and freight (CIF) and free on board (FOB) contracts; and, refers to quality disputes, documentary compliance disputes, time of shipment disputes and force majeure disputes. This topic may be referred to as international commodity trading contracts and disputes.