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What is The Difference Between CIF and DAP?

CIF: Seller pays to ship goods to the port and insures them; DAP: Seller guarantees delivery to the buyer’s doorstep (excluding import duties).
Mar 20th,2025 270 Views

Comparison Aspect

CIF (Cost, Insurance, Freight)

DAP (Delivered At Place)

Core Responsibility

Seller pays costs, insurance, and freight to the named port of destination.

Seller delivers goods to the named destination (e.g., warehouse, terminal) and assumes risks until arrival.

Risk Transfer

Risk transfers to buyer when goods pass the ship’s rail at the port of shipment.

Risk transfers when goods are placed at the buyer’s disposal at the destination.

Cost Liability

Seller pays:

- Freight to the port of destination

- Insurance (minimum coverage).

Buyer pays:

- Import duties/taxes

- Unloading costs.

Seller pays:

- All transportation costs (origin to destination)

- Export customs fees.

Buyer pays:

- Import taxes

- Unloading costs (unless agreed otherwise).

Transport Arrangement

Seller selects carrier and books shipping to the port.

Seller arranges full transportation to the destination (any mode: sea, air, road).

Insurance

Seller provides minimum marine insurance (CIF-specific).

Insurance is optional for seller; buyer may need to arrange additional coverage.

Customs Clearance

Seller handles export clearance; buyer handles import clearance.

Seller handles export clearance; buyer handles import clearance.

Unloading

Buyer responsible for unloading at the port.

Buyer responsible for unloading at the destination (unless agreed in DAP terms).

Applicable Transport Mode

Maritime or inland waterway transport.

Any transport mode (e.g., sea, air, road, rail).

Incoterms® Version

Valid under Incoterms® 2020.

Valid under Incoterms® 2020 (replaced DDU in 2010).

Key Difference Summary

Liability Scope:

  • CIF: Seller covers costs/insurance to the port but not beyond.
  • DAP: Seller covers full transport to the destination (not just the port).

Risk Transfer Point:

  • CIF: Risk transfers at the port of shipment.
  • DAP: Risk transfers at the destination.

Cost Allocation:

  • CIF: Seller pays freight/insurance to the port; buyer pays unloading/import taxes.
  • DAP: Seller pays all transport costs to the destination; buyer pays import taxes.

Use Case Example
CIF: A German exporter ships machinery to a U.S. buyer’s port, covering freight and basic insurance.
DAP: A Chinese manufacturer delivers components directly to a French factory, handling all transport costs but leaving import taxes to the buyer.

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