---
title: "What does CIF (Cost, Insurance and Freight) mean | SSL"
description: "Incoterm for sea and inland waterway: as CFR, plus the seller buys marine insurance for the buyer. Under Incoterms 2020 the minimum cover is Institute"
url: https://safeandsecure.in/answers/what-does-cif-cost-insurance-and-freight-mean-in-logistics/
canonical: https://safeandsecure.in/answers/what-does-cif-cost-insurance-and-freight-mean-in-logistics/
updated: 2026-09-29
lang: en-IN
publisher: Safe & Secure Logistics Private Limited
---

[Logistics terms](https://safeandsecure.in/answers/glossary/) · Logistics terms

# What does CIF (Cost, Insurance and Freight) mean in logistics?

Short answer

Incoterm for sea and inland waterway: as CFR, plus the seller buys marine insurance for the buyer. Under Incoterms 2020 the minimum cover is Institute Cargo Clauses (C), unless agreed otherwise. Risk passes on board at origin.

Frequently used for Indian exports of bulk and commodity cargo. On the import side, Indian customs assesses duty on a CIF-based assessable value whatever term the contract uses. Ask our desk how this applies to your consignment.

Period: General definition. Data as of 29 Sep 2026. [How we count](https://safeandsecure.in/facts/)

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## The numbers behind this answer

**Also called**: CIF

**Category**: EXIM & customs

**Related terms**: CFR (Cost and Freight), CIP (Carriage and Insurance Paid To), Marine and inland transit insurance, Incoterms 2020

## Sources

1. [SSL logistics glossary](https://safeandsecure.in/glossary/#incoterm-cif)

Period: General definition. Data as of 29 Sep 2026.

## Related questions

- [What does CFR (Cost and Freight) mean in logistics?](https://safeandsecure.in/answers/what-does-cfr-cost-and-freight-mean-in-logistics/)
- [What does CIP (Carriage and Insurance Paid To) mean in logistics?](https://safeandsecure.in/answers/what-does-cip-carriage-and-insurance-paid-to-mean-in-logistics/)
- [What does Incoterms 2020 mean in logistics?](https://safeandsecure.in/answers/what-does-incoterms-2020-mean-in-logistics/)
- [What does Marine and inland transit insurance mean in logistics?](https://safeandsecure.in/answers/what-does-marine-and-inland-transit-insurance-mean-in-logistics/)
- [What does CPT (Carriage Paid To) mean in logistics?](https://safeandsecure.in/answers/what-does-cpt-carriage-paid-to-mean-in-logistics/)
- [What does FAS (Free Alongside Ship) mean in logistics?](https://safeandsecure.in/answers/what-does-fas-free-alongside-ship-mean-in-logistics/)

## On this site

- [Logistics glossary](https://safeandsecure.in/glossary/#incoterm-cif)
- [CIF (Cost, Insurance and Freight): related page](https://safeandsecure.in/tools/incoterms-guide/)

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Source: https://safeandsecure.in/answers/what-does-cif-cost-insurance-and-freight-mean-in-logistics/ (the HTML page is the record; this markdown twin was generated from it on 2026-09-29). Publisher: Safe & Secure Logistics Private Limited, https://safeandsecure.in/. Figures and their periods: https://safeandsecure.in/facts/