Comparing two used tire offers is impossible until you know which Incoterm each one is quoted on. A cheap FOB number and a higher CIF number can land at exactly the same cost. We quote CIF and nothing else, so here is precisely what that includes.
What CIF means
CIF stands for Cost, Insurance and Freight. The seller pays to bring the goods to the named destination port, and arranges marine insurance for the voyage. In practice, on our quotations, that means the following is already inside the price:
- The tires themselves, graded and sorted
- Loading the container at our yard
- Inland movement to the Japanese loading port
- Export handling and documentation in Japan
- Sea freight to your destination port
- Marine insurance — we insure every shipment we send
What CIF does not include
CIF ends at your destination port. From the moment the container is discharged, the following is yours:
- Import duty and any taxes in your country
- Customs clearance and any inspection your authorities require
- Terminal handling and storage at your end
- Haulage from the port to your yard
None of these are hidden charges from us — they are simply where a CIF sale stops and your side begins. If you are budgeting a first shipment, get an indication of duty and clearance from your own broker before you compare offers.
Who pays the freight, and when
Freight is normally prepaid in Japan. If it suits you better to have it collect at your port, that is possible — tell us at the quotation stage, because it changes the number you are comparing.
Why we do not quote FOB
An FOB price looks lower on paper and then leaves you to arrange the vessel, the booking and the insurance yourself for cargo you have not seen. Every shipment we send is insured by us, which means a single point of responsibility if something goes wrong at sea. For a first-time buyer importing from Japan, that is the difference between a manageable transaction and a difficult one.
What we need to give you a CIF price
- Tire types — PCR, LT, TBR, casings, or a mix
- Sizes and the rough share of each
- Container size — 20ft for a trial, 40ft once you are settled
- Your destination port
The destination port matters most: CIF is a price to a specific port, so a quotation without one is not a quotation.
FAQ
Do you sell FOB or CIF?
CIF only. Freight and insurance to your destination port are included in every price we quote.
Is the shipment insured?
Yes. We arrange insurance on every shipment we send — it is not an optional extra.
Does CIF include import duty?
No. Duty, taxes, customs clearance and delivery from your port are the buyer’s cost under CIF.
Can freight be collect instead of prepaid?
Yes. Freight is normally prepaid in Japan, but collect at your port is possible if you prefer.
What do you need in order to quote?
Tire types, sizes, container size and destination port.
Get a CIF offer
Send us the four items above and we will come back with a CIF price to your port.
See also our category pages for used passenger car tires, used light truck tires, used truck & bus tires and used tire casings, or read how to import used tires from Japan for the full buying process.
