Gift Icon
Get a 20% discount from our partners! Discount code will get added automatically when you submit the form.
yellow A1 Auto Transport carrier on highway
4.7 Star Rating4.7 (67,926 reviews)
96.3% positive
No Surprises, Just Savings: Verified Carriers, Instant Quotes, and Best Price Guarantee!
You save 20% compared to other companies
Get quotes from trusted carriers, thoroughly vetted and fully insured. Enjoy trackable deliveries, fair pricing, and hassle-free transport from start to finish. Transport any type of vehicle and drive away worry-free.
Customer Images
7790 people shipped using A-1 Auto Transport last week
Scratch-Free Guarantee
Vetted Carriers
Transparent Costs
Customer Ratings By Feature
Value for Money ★★★★★ 4.9
Vehicle Care ★★★★★ 4.9
Fast Delivery ★★★★★ 4.9
Friendly Staff ★★★★★ 4.9
Globe
190+
Countries
Served
Car
2M+
Delivered
Services
Car
97%
Customer
Recommended
Dave loved the fast deliveryDave C.
★★★★★
Dave loved the fast delivery
My relocation to Chicago was fast, smooth and without any delay thanks to A1 Auto.
Courtney enjoyed the honest guidanceCourtney J.
★★★★★
Courtney enjoyed the honest guidance
Just what you need when trusting someone with your wheels! Kudos to this company!
Jeff enjoyed the fair priceJeff D.
★★★★★
Jeff enjoyed the fair price
Moved my ride hassle-free with these folks.Fair pricing, no surprises. Definitely recommend them!
Maria enjoyed the special care and safetyMaria L.
★★★★★
Maria enjoyed the special care and safety
Huge thanks to the movers – they were meticulous with my car. Love these guys.
Recently featured on USA Today

“A1 Auto Transport became synonymous with top-notch service delivery, unfailing punctuality and constantly preoccupied with customer satisfaction.

See Article— USA Today

Should I Ship DDP or CIF?

Published by Tamar Hela.

Should I Ship DDP or CIF?

In the international trade industry, experienced shippers will tell you that using the correct sales contract can significantly impact your shipment and business.

In this post, we will unpack two commonly used international terms: DDP and CIF. By understanding the benefits and drawbacks of each term, you can make a more informed decision about how to ship your goods.

First, let's examine Incoterms and why they are essential in the international shipping space.

visual representation of the tax system

Incoterms Explained

The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), established in the early 1900s, set out to understand the undocumented rules and agreements governing international trade.

At the time, buyers and sellers agreed on sales terms amongst themselves, which proved tricky when it came to interpreting these terms.

Problems also arose when laws, cultural norms, and common sales agreements differed from country to country, requiring the need to unify international sales agreements.

To this end, the ICC founded incoterms, which are short for international commerce terms.

The creation of incoterms came at the end of World War I when the global economy sought to increase trade and commerce between countries.

Today, 11 main incoterms are widely used in the hauling industry. They are continuously updated and refined to indicate the responsibilities of both the buyer and the seller, which helps to foster a unified international trade community.

Pinned
New Deals are now available for shipping all types vehicles using our vetted reliable shippers. Compare price estimates & Unlock up 25% off.

Unpacking DDP

One of the most popular incoterms used in shipping today is delivered duty paid or DDP.

Under DDP, the seller has maximum responsibility. This means that the seller is responsible for arranging and paying for the transportation of goods to an agreed-upon location, wherever that may be.

In addition to taking financial responsibility, the seller also carries the risks associated with the items reaching the destination port. These include import duties, customs clearance, and any additional taxes that must be paid.

All the buyer needs to do is wait for their goods to arrive at the arranged location. They do not need to pay delivery costs and are not responsible for anything that goes wrong in transit.

Advantages

The benefits of DDP depend on which side of the sales agreement you find yourself in.

As a buyer, DDP offers a hassle-free shipping experience. You do not need expertise to handle customs clearance and the related import processes.

For a seller, especially if you're experienced in international trade, DDP can make your service more appealing to customers who do not wish to handle the regulations and shipping procedures.

Sellers using DDP also have a competitive edge over those that do not. Buyers want their goods as soon as possible, with the least amount of admin from their side. We see this trend more and more with the rise of online shopping.

With DDP, sellers assume all administrative duties related to the shipping, so buyers have to sit back and wait for their purchases to be delivered to the destination port.

the calculation method

Disadvantages

For the buyer, the convenience of having the entire shipping process handled by the seller comes at a price.

Initial DDP costs are often higher than those of other sales agreements. So, while the buyer saves time and effort, they pay upfront fees for it.

The buyer also has less control over the hauling process, so they have little leeway to adjust during a shipping delay.

DDP can disadvantage the seller if they are not well-versed in international trade. As the seller is responsible for paying import taxes and duties in the buyer's country, a miscalculation of this amount could result in additional costs that are not initially included in the budget.

This, coupled with the administrative burden of arranging shipping, could be a stumbling block for sellers unfamiliar with the processes.

If you, as a seller, would still like to use DDP but have no idea where to start, it is recommended that you enlist the services of an experienced freight carrier.

The added benefit of having someone in your team who knows what they're doing in the international trade arena will ensure your goods arrive at the destination country much easier.

What Does CIF Mean?

CIF is a shipping term for cost, insurance, and freight. Like DDP above, it is an incoterm used to dictate the contract between a buyer and a seller.

CIF has added insurance benefits, such as cost and freight (CFR) incoterm.

With a CIF agreement, the seller is responsible for arranging and paying for the shipment to the destination port. This includes carrier costs and insurance coverage for the goods while they are on their way.

Unlike DDP, that coverage ends when the cargo arrives at the destination port. From there, the buyer takes over the financial responsibilities, such as transport costs, import duties, customs fees, and other related charges.

To safeguard the shipment, the buyer should seek the services of a freight forwarder specializing in door-to-door shipping. This will help relieve the burden on inexperienced buyers who lack the know-how to navigate international trade requirements.

Advantages

The most significant upside to using CIF is its cost savings. As charges and admin responsibilities are divided, the seller has more control over choosing their own service providers and freight forwarders.

In this way, buyers can negotiate better transport rates, leading to savings in the long run.

If a buyer has extensive knowledge of the shipping industry, they could handle the import procedures themselves, eliminating the need to hire a third party.

It's obvious then that the division of costs also benefits the seller. Less admin for the seller also gives them more time to focus on other business aspects that need their attention.

a tax-free savings account designed

Disadvantages

A significant drawback of CIF is that the goods are only insured for half the journey. Once the cargo reaches the destination port, the buyer is responsible for insuring the goods until they reach their destination.

Failure to do so could result in loss and damage, which could occur during the land transportation phase.

If the buyer is an experienced shipper, they may want to use their preferred shipping and logistics company. However, they can only do so once the shipment is in their domain. This could be a disadvantage for those who wish to have more control over the entire delivery process.

DDP Vs. CIF

As we've seen, both DDP and CIF offer notable upsides to buyers and sellers alike. However, they also have significant drawbacks, which must be considered before deciding which sales contract to use.

The choice between the two depends on some factors. These include:

  • The nature of the shipment
  • The buyer and seller's level of experience and knowledge in international trade
  • The unique requirements of the transaction.

Let's look at two scenarios as examples.

The Case For (Delivered Duty Paid)

Let's look at this simple example: A buyer wants to purchase an item of furniture from an overseas seller for the first time. They have no experience in international shipping or a workable knowledge of import duties, shipping costs, and customs clearance.

The seller often sends goods to this specific buyer's country, so they know everything required to ensure a successful shipment.

In this case, DDP would be advantageous for both the buyer, who has experience in international trade and the seller, who knows little about the hauling industry.

What about (Cost, Insurance, Freight)?

A seller is seeking to send medical supplies to the buyer's destination. This type of cargo needs special handling instructions and insurance as medical goods.

The buyer, who is experienced in international shipping, knows this and will pay for the insurance and related costs once the goods arrive at the destination port.

CIF would be a good decision for this scenario.

a visual depiction of the concept

Conclusion

The decision between DDP and CIF needs to be reviewed in detail to avoid unforeseen expenses and possible losses.

When choosing a seller or a buyer, consider the shipment's entails, where it is going, and how you would like it hauled. At the same time, consider how much money and effort you are willing to spend on the cargo.

Whether you use CIF or DDP, we recommend A1 Auto Transport for your shipping needs. With credible advice and industry expertise, our hauling specialists are ready to help you get your goods quickly and safely. Contact us today for a free quote.

Share this content on social media for a chance to get up to 20% off your next shipment.
Copy link

Tamar Hela is one of our featured writers at A-1 Auto Transport, researching everything from AI auto shipments out of China to what paperwork is required to move long distance. We can safely say she's become well versed in all things shipping and logistics while making the information easy to digest and understandable. 

Tamar has been a copywriter for over 16 years and was trained in the 7-Figure Copywriting Accelerator course through American Writers & Artists, Inc. (AWAI). She's also an incredibly seasoned copyeditor, having previously been the Chief Editor and Publishing Director for Cosby Media Productions, based in Atlanta, Georgia. 

Email Me


Testimonial
Mylene Rutllant
It’s my number one pick in auto shipping to this day.
★★★★★
...my choice in terms of auto transport has to be A1 Auto Transport. It’s in the name, but also in the quality with which they do their jobs. I’ve never had a problem with this company.
Testimonial
Luis Rodriguez
You have my full support and recommendation!
★★★★★
A1 Auto Transport... From the get go, they were very different from my past options. Their website was very professional and up to date, full of useful information. I requested a quote using their online form, and I got an email response within an hour. Surprisingly fast!
Testimonial
Cristine Benoit
I can safely say this is a legit company that will get the job done.
★★★★★
There are a lot of options for auto transport these days, which surprisingly makes it harder to find a good company. I received more than 10 offers to ship my car, but I couldn’t decide on any of them... Fortunately, I made the right choice with A1 Auto Transport.
Testimonial
David Osallo
We give A1 Auto Transport a big 10 out of 10!
★★★★★
We give A1 Auto Transport a big 10 out of 10! We chose them to move our car from California to Vermont, since we needed professionals.

Visit our social, and see what our clients are saying about us:

Ship Your Vehicle With A-1 Auto Today
Customer Images
7790 people shipped using A-1 Auto Transport last week
Scratch-Free Guarantee
Vetted Carriers
Transparent Costs

Our Partners:

Better Business Bureau Accredited
FMCSA Member
INC. 500 Member
VeriSign Secured
AMSA Member

A-1 Auto Transport is a disclosed agent for the following shipping companies:

CSI Logistics
435 Division Street
Elizabeth, NJ 07201
FMC 22206
Intl Cargo
45 Campus Drive
Edison, NJ 08837
NO. 17858N
Trans Global Auto Logistics, Inc.
3401 E Randol Mill Rd,
Arlington, TX 76011
NO. 018191NF
CFR Rinkens
15501 Texaco Avenue
Paramount, CA 90723
NO. 013055NF
ABC Worldwide LLC
2840 NW 2nd Ave #105
Boca Raton, FL 33431
NO. 025472F
ShipYourCarNow LLC
1160 South Rogers Circle Suite 1
Boca Raton, FL 33487
NO. 025646
Merco Air & Ocean Cargo, Inc.
6 Fir Way
Cooper City, FL 33026
NO. 021869F
Copyright © 1988-2024, A-1 Auto Transport - All Rights Reserved.