CIF Calculator (Cost, Insurance and Freight)
Use this tool to estimate your CIF value, import duty, VAT, and total landed cost.
What does “CIF” mean?
In international shipping, CIF stands for Cost, Insurance, and Freight. It is a common Incoterm used to define what is included in the value of imported goods when they arrive at the destination port.
If you are searching for “cif calcular”, you usually want to answer one practical question: “How much will my shipment really cost me?” The CIF value is often the base used to calculate customs duties and, in many countries, part of the VAT/tax base too.
CIF formula
The standard formula is:
CIF = FOB + Freight + Insurance
- FOB (Free On Board): Value of the goods.
- Freight: Shipping/transport cost to destination port.
- Insurance: Coverage for goods in transit.
Extended landed-cost view
In real importing operations, CIF is just the beginning. Businesses normally also estimate:
- Customs duty based on CIF.
- VAT or sales tax based on CIF plus applicable duty and fees.
- Additional charges such as brokerage, handling, storage, documentation, and local delivery.
That is why this calculator shows both the core CIF value and a fuller landed-cost estimate.
How to calculate CIF step by step
1) Determine FOB value
Start with your supplier invoice value for the goods. Make sure the value is in the same currency as the rest of your inputs.
2) Add freight cost
Include ocean freight, air freight, or courier transport to the destination port/airport. If your freight quote has surcharges, include them as needed.
3) Calculate or enter insurance
Some importers use an insurance percentage (for example 0.3% to 1.0%) of FOB + freight. Others already know the exact insurance amount and can enter it directly.
4) Compute CIF
Once you combine goods value, freight, and insurance, you have the CIF amount used in many customs processes.
5) Estimate duty, tax, and total landed cost
Add duty and VAT/tax assumptions plus any local logistics fees so you can price your product correctly before importing.
Example: quick CIF calculation
- FOB: 5,000
- Freight: 800
- Insurance rate: 0.30%
- Duty: 5%
- VAT: 16%
- Other fees: 120
Insurance would be 0.30% of (5,000 + 800) = 17.40. CIF = 5,000 + 800 + 17.40 = 5,817.40. Duty = 5% of CIF = 290.87. VAT base (simplified) = CIF + Duty + Other Fees = 6,228.27. VAT = 996.52. Total landed estimate = 7,224.79.
Common mistakes when people search “cif calcular”
- Mixing currencies: Entering FOB in USD and freight in EUR without converting.
- Double-counting charges: Adding freight that is already included in invoice terms.
- Ignoring local fees: Brokerage and terminal charges can materially affect margins.
- Using the wrong duty rate: Tariff classification errors can change total cost a lot.
- Forgetting tax base rules: VAT rules vary by country and product type.
Final note
This page is designed to give you a practical CIF estimation tool. For legal compliance, always confirm final duty/tax calculations with your customs broker, freight forwarder, or local tax advisor. Country-specific rules, exemptions, and product codes can change the final payable amount.