CIF
Category: Incoterms
Definition (plain English)
Cost, Insurance and Freight means the seller pays freight and minimum insurance to the named destination port, while many arrival, import, and inland costs remain buyer-side.
Why it matters commercially
CIF can simplify freight booking, but the buyer still needs to price destination charges, duty, import VAT, customs brokerage, inland delivery, and insurance adequacy.
Example
A CIF Hamburg quote looked complete until the buyer added destination THC, release fees, customs brokerage, import VAT cash timing, and truck delivery to the warehouse.
Common mistake
Reading CIF as door-delivered landed cost or accepting seller-arranged insurance without checking coverage, deductible, and claims process.
Use this in CommerceKit
Landed Cost
Use tool →Freight Cost Per Unit Calculator
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