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GOODS ACROSS BORDERS

CIF

Also known as: Cost, Insurance and Freight

An Incoterm where the seller pays cost, insurance, and freight to the destination port; risk transfers when goods are loaded on the vessel at origin.

CIF (Cost, Insurance and Freight) is one of the maritime-only Incoterms 2020 rules. The seller arranges and pays for ocean freight to the named destination port and procures minimum-coverage marine cargo insurance for the buyer's benefit. Risk transfers to the buyer when the goods are loaded onto the vessel at the origin port — meaning the buyer carries the risk on the sea voyage despite the seller paying the freight. Commonly used for bulk and break-bulk maritime shipments.

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RULES5,339COUNTRIES85ITEMS111CARRIERS28GUIDES46UNIQUE SOURCES645LATEST VERIFICATION2026-07-26MethodologyChangelog