FOB, C&F and CIF Explained: Understanding Used Car Export Prices
What FOB, C&F and CIF actually mean when you buy a used car from Japan, what each price includes, and how to compare quotations fairly.
When you ask a Japanese exporter for a price, you will see terms like FOB, C&F and CIF. They describe exactly how much of the journey the price covers. Understanding them helps you compare quotations fairly and budget for the true landed cost.
FOB — Free On Board
FOB is the price of the car loaded onto the ship in Japan. It includes the vehicle, inland transport to the port and export clearance, but not the ocean freight. FOB is the cleanest number for comparing the car itself between exporters.
C&F (CNF) — Cost & Freight
C&F, sometimes written CNF, is FOB plus the sea freight to your destination port. It does not include insurance. This is the figure most buyers use, because it tells you the cost to get the car to your port.
CIF — Cost, Insurance & Freight
CIF is C&F plus marine insurance. If anything happens to the car during the voyage, insurance covers it. For higher-value vehicles, paying the small extra for CIF is sensible protection.
Quick comparison
- FOB = car + loading in Japan
- C&F / CNF = FOB + ocean freight
- CIF = C&F + insurance
What you still pay at your end
None of these prices include costs in your own country — import duty, local taxes, port handling and clearing-agent fees. Those depend on your destination and the vehicle, so ask your local agent for an estimate before you buy.
How we quote
At Al Mashriq Trading we show every car with an FOB price in our stock list. Tell us your destination port and we convert it into a full C&F (or CIF if you want insurance) quotation — a single, clear landed figure with no hidden freight lines. Contact us to get yours.