Cost, Insurance, and Freight (CIF) is a trade term where the seller covers the product cost, marine insurance, and ocean transport to the buyer’s destination port. It sounds “all-in,” but it isn’t: the buyer still handles import taxes, customs, and delivery after the goods arrive.
When to Use CIF
Use CIF when you want the seller to arrange the main sea shipment and add insurance, especially if you don’t have strong carrier relationships. It’s useful for budgeting because the seller quotes a single price up to the port. A key detail: risk usually shifts to the buyer once the cargo is loaded onto the vessel, even though the seller keeps paying the ocean costs. Always confirm the exact port, insurance level, and who pays port handling fees in your contract.
How Transportify Helps
Transportify supports the parts around the port like pickup from a supplier, inland trucking to a terminal, and delivery from the port to your warehouse or store. With on-demand vehicles, scheduling, and real-time visibility, you can keep the local legs moving smoothly while your international shipment is in transit.
Related Terms
Cost and Freight
 | Noel Abelardo Deputy Country Director |
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