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FOB and CIF are Incoterms — they define who arranges and pays for which leg of a shipment, and where risk passes from seller to buyer. For glass, which is heavy and fragile, that choice shapes your landed cost and your exposure if something breaks.
FOB — Free On Board
Under FOB, the supplier delivers the goods onto the vessel at the origin port. From that point the ocean freight, insurance and risk are yours. You — or your freight forwarder — control the sea leg, which usually means better rates and more visibility if you already have a forwarder.
CIF — Cost, Insurance and Freight
Under CIF, the supplier arranges and pays the ocean freight and a minimum insurance policy through to your destination port. You pay one bundled price and coordinate less. It’s simpler for first-time importers, at the cost of some control over carrier and rate.
Which should a first-time importer pick?
- New to importing with no forwarder yet → CIF, for simplicity.
- You have an established forwarder and want freight control → FOB.
- Consolidating several suppliers into one shipment → FOB into your consolidation point.
- Testing a small first order → CIF keeps the moving parts to a minimum.
Glass-specific notes
- Glass is heavy, so freight is a real share of landed cost — get quotes both ways and compare.
- CIF minimum insurance is often only 110% of invoice value; top it up for fragile cargo.
- Confirm palletisation and carton spec so the goods survive handling, whoever books the freight.
- Clarify who pays destination charges and customs clearance before you sign.
With glass, the landed cost — not the FOB price — is the number that matters. Compare door-to-door under both Incoterms.
Tell us your destination port and target quantity, and we’ll quote FOB and CIF side by side so you can compare true landed cost.
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Tell us your product, capacity and target quantity and we'll reply within one business day with specs, MOQ, lead time and factory-direct pricing.
