FOB keeps the seller responsible only until your stone loads on the vessel, so you control ocean freight; CIF adds freight and insurance to your destination port but hides logistics transparency. In 2026, experienced importers choose FOB, while CIF suits first-time buyers testing a supplier.

What Are Incoterms 2020?

Incoterms (International Commercial Terms) are ICC-standard definitions of who pays for and bears risk in international shipping. Eleven exist; four cover 95% of stone trade—EXW, FOB, CIF, DDP. The choice directly sets your landed cost and how much margin the seller can hide in freight.

• EXW: seller responsibility ends at the factory gate.
• FOB: seller responsible until loaded on the vessel.
• CIF: seller adds freight + insurance to your port.
• DDP: seller delivers to your door, duties paid.

Incoterms 2020 set who pays for freight, insurance, and duty—and they decide your real margin per square meter. FOB (Free On Board) keeps the seller responsible only until the stone crosses the ship’s rail at the origin port, so you book and control ocean freight and avoid the hidden markups a manufacturer buries in a CIF or DDP quote; CIF adds freight and basic insurance to your destination port but hides logistics transparency; DDP delivers to your door at the highest price with the least buyer oversight. Professionals therefore compare every offer on fully landed cost—product plus freight, insurance, terminal handling, duties, and inland delivery—never on slab price alone, and they lock the exact load port (for example “FOB Xiamen”) to prevent disputes over terminal fees.

FOB vs CIF at a Glance

Which Should You Pick in 2026?

Avoid the Hidden-Fee Trap

Request both FOB and CIF quotes and compare total cost at your warehouse—including terminal handling ($100–$500), duties, and inland delivery. A CIF quote can look simpler but often hides freight inefficiency. Lock the exact load port (e.g., “FOB Xiamen”) to prevent disputes. See the full framework in our wholesale MOQ & QC guide and packaging QC checklist.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between FOB and CIF?
Under FOB the seller’s responsibility ends once stone is loaded on the vessel; you book freight and insurance. Under CIF the seller arranges freight and basic insurance to your destination port.

Which is cheaper, FOB or CIF?
Not always CIF. Large quarries may have volume freight rates, but FOB gives you control and transparency. Always compare fully landed cost.

Why do experienced importers prefer FOB?
FOB lets them negotiate their own ocean freight and avoid seller markups hidden inside CIF or DDP quotes, protecting margin per square meter.

Is CIF safer for beginners?
CIF reduces logistics setup for first-time buyers, but you still manage high destination fees and limited insurance coverage—request both quotes to compare.

What Incoterms documents do I need?
A Proforma Invoice stating the term, a Bill of Lading, Certificate of Origin, and Packing List—verified against physical inventory on arrival. See the wholesale guide.

Glady Stone: FOB & CIF Stone Programs

Glady Stone quotes both FOB and CIF for marble, granite, travertine, and quartzite, with full documentation for customs.

Send your stone specification and preferred Incoterm to Glady Stone for a landed-cost comparison.

In 2026 the right Incoterm is a margin decision: choose FOB for freight control and transparency, CIF only to simplify a first shipment, and always judge the offer on total landed cost.

More B2B Stone Buying Guides

• Natural Stone Wholesale in 2026: MOQ, FOB/CIF & Batch Quality Control
• Export Packaging & Batch QC for Natural Stone Wholesale Orders (2026)
• Shopify Dropshipping Natural Stone in 2026: The Complete Seller Playbook