Cost, Insurance and Freight (CIF) Definition | UPS Supply Chain Solutions

What is Cost, Insurance, and Freight (CIF)?

An Incoterms^® rule, applicable only to ocean or waterway transport, that mirrors CFR, but also requires the seller to arrange and pay for limited insurance to cover against the buyer’s risk of loss of or damage to the goods from the port of shipment to at least as far as the port of destination. This may cause problems where the destination country requires insurance to be purchased locally, in which case the parties should consider selling and buying under CFR. When using CIF, the seller and buyer may agree on a higher level of insurance cover to be provided as part of their agreement.

Note:

When an Incoterms^® rule is included in a contract of sale, it creates legal obligations for the buyer and seller, which can have costly implications. Therefore, it is important that traders read and understand the precise wording of the Incoterms^® rules carefully and choose the rule to include in their sale contract thoughtfully. For additional information and resources on the Incoterms^® rules, and to purchase the full text of the Incoterms^® 2020 rules, visit the ICC website.