Keep the rule, version, ports and scope in writing. Review commercial delivery, paid carriage, insurance and operations after arrival separately.
Distinguish paid carriage from risk transfer
ICC Academy explains that under CFR and CIF Incoterms® 2020 the seller pays carriage to the named destination port, while delivery and risk transfer take place when goods are loaded on board at origin. Paying freight to destination and bearing risk to that point are separate obligations.
Ask seller and buyer to identify both ports and the agreed rule. If you need a different allocation of responsibilities, review it with the parties before accepting the contract.
For CIF, request the insurance documents
ICC’s CIF explanation includes the seller’s obligation to arrange insurance with the minimum cover specified by the rule. Request the policy or certificate applying to your goods and ask the insurer or adviser to explain its scope.
Confirm goods, route, value, exclusions and notification contact. If a CFR proposal offers insurance separately, identify that agreement and its documents. Take coverage questions to the competent party before treating the proposal as accepted.
Review each part of the offer
Complete this table with the supplier and destination contacts. Ask each answer to identify its supporting document and leave outstanding items visible.
Scroll the table sideways to see all columns.
| Point | What to request | What should be clear |
|---|---|---|
| Trade rule | CFR or CIF, version and named port | Which agreement is being used |
| Shipment | Origin port and departure details | Which information the seller confirms |
| Paid carriage | Route and included items | Where that scope ends |
| Insurance | Applicable documents and conditions | Who explains cover and notifications |
| Destination | Breakdown of operations and charges | Included items and owners of outstanding tasks |
| Inland delivery | Planned address, appointment and unloading | Which additional service needs agreement |
Organize the work after arrival
Identify the contact reporting availability and outstanding steps. Ask who coordinates import documentation, releases, cargo receiving and inland delivery for the operation. Record an owner and the confirmation needed for each task.
Request a breakdown of destination charges in your proposal, including currency and calculation basis. When an item depends on the transport contract, request the applicable condition. Avoid assigning a cost to a party solely from the name used on an invoice.
Compare the cost to your actual address
Use the same goods, quantity, packaging and address to complete the budget. Add the services you actually need after the port and mark open costs. Connect each item to the scope already covered by the supplier.
For comparison with an offer starting at the factory or ending elsewhere, reconstruct both to the same destination. Ask for clarification of duplicated items or tasks without an owner before deciding which meets your need.
Bring the complete proposal to your inquiry
Share the supplier offer, ports, cargo details and receiving address. Explain which part of transport is already agreed and which task you need assessed. Include the answers about charges and available documents.
MX Pacific Express will confirm the logistics scope it can review. Keep new confirmations with the original proposal, identifying tasks retained by the supplier and those contracted separately.
Sources and scope
Sources consulted on 26 October 2026. Checklists and examples are planning guidance prepared by MX Pacific Express. Other operators’ processes illustrate concepts; the conditions for your cargo are confirmed separately.
Prepare your next step
Share the product, packaging, weight, origin and destination. Identify any information still pending so your inquiry can be reviewed with the right scope.
Discuss the outstanding scope for my shipmentRoutes, availability and delivery conditions are confirmed in each quote.