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Shipping terms

FOB & CIF Shipping

We load from Rotterdam and Antwerp, two of Europe's major export ports. FOB pricing can be prepared from origin, while CIF quotations are prepared after destination port, quantity, product type and supplier availability are confirmed.

  • FOB Rotterdam / Antwerp
  • CIF on request
  • Export documentation
  • Mixed-container loading
  • Supplier verification

Incoterms

FOB vs CIF: What Each Means for Buyers

Choose the term that fits how you manage freight. Both load from Rotterdam and Antwerp.

FOB Rotterdam / Antwerp

What it means
Goods are quoted up to loading on board at the port of origin. You or your forwarder manage ocean freight, insurance and destination clearance.
Best for
Buyers with their own freight forwarder or freight rates

CIF Destination Port

What it means
The quotation includes cost, insurance and freight to your destination port. Final price depends on product, quantity, destination and shipping availability.
Best for
Buyers who want a single landed cost to their port

Process

How Our Shipping Quote Process Works

  1. Send your enquiry

    Product, quantity, destination port and packing preference.

  2. We check availability

    Supplier availability, documents, MOQ and lead time.

  3. FOB/CIF offer prepared

    FOB Rotterdam / Antwerp or CIF destination, per your request.

  4. Documents confirmed

    Invoice, packing list, specification, COA and required documents.

Markets

Markets & Destination Ports

We support quotation requests from Rotterdam and Antwerp to destination ports across Africa, the Middle East, the Caribbean and Asia. Common buyer destinations include Beira, Colombo, Douala, Tema, Lagos / Apapa, Abidjan, Dakar, Mombasa, Jebel Ali, Jeddah, Kingston and other international ports.

Destination ports

  • Beira
  • Colombo
  • Douala
  • Tema
  • Lagos / Apapa
  • Abidjan
  • Dakar
  • Mombasa
  • Jebel Ali
  • Jeddah
  • Kingston

By product

Product-Specific Shipping Notes

Packing and handling differ by product. Specifications, packing and documents are confirmed per order.

Dairy Products

Milk powders ship in 25 kg bags. Butter, AMF and cheese may require temperature-controlled or reefer handling.

View products

Cocoa & Chocolate

Cocoa powder and chocolate ingredients need packing and temperature consideration depending on destination.

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Biscuits & Baked Goods

Usually shipped in export cartons; shelf life and carton protection are important.

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Food Ingredients & Additives

Packing varies by ingredient — bags, cartons, drums or IBC depending on the product.

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Detergent Raw Materials

Requires SDS / MSDS, packing confirmation and dangerous-goods status where applicable.

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Plastic Packaging Materials

Container utilisation matters — packaging is bulky even when lightweight.

View products

Packing, specification and documents are confirmed per order — see Export Documentation, Mixed-Container Loading and Supplier Verification, or request an export offer.

Destination port guides

CIF Shipping to Key Destination Ports

We prepare CIF quotations once your destination port, product and quantity are confirmed. Port details below are indicative — transit times and routing depend on vessel schedule and carrier.

CIF Abidjan — Port of Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire

Abidjan is West Africa’s busiest container port and a regional hub for onward distribution into Côte d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Mali and Guinea. CIF Abidjan quotations from Rotterdam or Antwerp cover ocean freight, marine insurance and port of loading charges to the Port of Abidjan (VRIDI terminal or Quai des Fruits depending on cargo type).

Typical transit from Northwest Europe to Abidjan is approximately 14–21 days depending on the carrier and routing (direct or via Algeciras/Dakar transshipment). We quote CIF Abidjan for food ingredients, dairy products, cocoa raw materials, detergent raw materials and plastic packaging once quantity and destination are agreed. Import documentation to Côte d’Ivoire typically includes a commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, certificate of origin and product specification; phytosanitary or health certificates may apply depending on product.

Popular products shipped CIF Abidjan include full cream milk powder, skimmed milk powder, food additives, LABSA, SLES, soda ash and STPP. Mixed-container loading is available to combine several product lines in one shipment, which reduces the per-line minimum and simplifies customs clearance.

Port of Abidjan — Quick Facts

Country
Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast)
Port code
CIABJ
Typical transit from Rotterdam
14–21 days
Incoterm quoted
CIF Abidjan (port named)
Common products
Dairy, food ingredients, surfactants, packaging

CIF Dakar — Port of Dakar, Senegal

Dakar is the main gateway port for Senegal and an important transshipment point for landlocked Sahelian countries including Mali, Guinea and Mauritania. The Port Autonome de Dakar handles general cargo, containers and bulk — most food and chemical import containers pass through the container terminal on the south side of the peninsula.

CIF Dakar quotations from Rotterdam or Antwerp typically reflect a transit of 14–18 days by direct service or slightly longer via a Canary Islands or Moroccan hub. We cover ocean freight, cargo insurance and loading charges at origin in the CIF price. Import to Senegal generally requires a commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, certificate of origin and a conformity verification (BSN/BIVAC or equivalent) depending on product category; food products may require a health certificate.

Products frequently quoted CIF Dakar include full cream milk powder, skimmed milk powder, butter and AMF, food additives and detergent raw materials (LABSA, soda ash, STPP). Mixed-container orders combining dairy, ingredients and detergent inputs in a single 20ft or 40ft container are a practical way to start or scale a Senegal programme.

Port of Dakar — Quick Facts

Country
Senegal
Port code
SNDKR
Typical transit from Rotterdam
14–18 days
Incoterm quoted
CIF Dakar (port named)
Common products
Dairy, additives, detergent raw materials

CIF Colombo — Port of Colombo, Sri Lanka

Colombo is one of Asia’s major transshipment hubs, regularly ranked among the top 25 busiest container ports in the world. Its central position on the East–West shipping lane means most mainline services between Europe and Asia call at Colombo, making transit times from Northwest Europe competitive — typically 20–28 days by direct or one-transshipment routing via Suez.

CIF Colombo quotations cover cost, insurance and freight to the Port of Colombo (Jaye Container Terminal or South Asia Gateway Terminal). Sri Lankan food import requirements commonly include a commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, certificate of origin, product specification, COA and a phytosanitary or health certificate depending on product type; certain categories require prior import approval from the Sri Lanka Standards Institution (SLSI).

Products supplied CIF Colombo include dairy ingredients (full cream milk powder, SMP, butter oil), cocoa powder, food additives and detergent raw materials. We prepare CIF Colombo offers once product, quantity and destination are confirmed, and we coordinate the export documentation — specification, COA, certificate of origin and health certificate where applicable — to support Sri Lankan customs clearance.

Port of Colombo — Quick Facts

Country
Sri Lanka
Port code
LKCMB
Typical transit from Rotterdam
20–28 days
Incoterm quoted
CIF Colombo (port named)
Common products
Dairy, cocoa, additives, detergent raw materials

CIF Beira — Port of Beira, Mozambique

Beira is Mozambique’s second-largest port and the primary gateway for landlocked southern African countries — Zimbabwe, Zambia and Malawi — making CIF Beira a key incoterm for buyers across the region. The Port of Beira handles dry bulk, general cargo and containers, with the Beira Corridor road and rail links providing inland distribution throughout the SADC hinterland.

CIF Beira quotations from Rotterdam or Antwerp cover ocean freight, marine cargo insurance and port-of-loading charges to the Port of Beira (MPDC container terminal). Transit from Northwest Europe to Beira is typically 21–28 days via the Cape of Good Hope routing. Import documentation to Mozambique commonly includes a commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, certificate of origin, product specification and COA; phytosanitary certificates and import licences may apply depending on product category.

Products regularly quoted CIF Beira include full cream milk powder, skimmed milk powder, food additives, detergent raw materials (LABSA, soda ash, STPP) and plastic packaging. Mixed-container loading is available to combine multiple product lines in one container, reducing the per-line minimum and simplifying port entry.

Port of Beira — Quick Facts

Country
Mozambique
Port code
MZBEW
Typical transit from Rotterdam
21–28 days (Cape routing)
Incoterm quoted
CIF Beira (port named)
Common products
Dairy, food ingredients, detergent raw materials

Checklist

What Buyers Need to Provide

  • Product required
  • Quantity
  • Destination port
  • Preferred packing
  • FOB or CIF request
  • Required documents
  • Company name
  • WhatsApp and email

See also our Export Documentation and Mixed-Container Loading pages.

Request an FOB or CIF offer

Send your product, quantity and destination port. We respond with availability and a competitive FOB or CIF quotation.

View Catalogue

FAQ

FOB & CIF Shipping — Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between FOB and CIF?
Under FOB Rotterdam / Antwerp we quote the goods loaded on board at the port of origin and you arrange freight and insurance. Under CIF we include cost, insurance and freight to your destination port.
Can you quote FOB Rotterdam or Antwerp?
Yes. FOB Rotterdam and FOB Antwerp pricing is available directly for every product line, for buyers who manage their own freight.
Can you arrange CIF shipping to African ports?
Yes. We prepare CIF quotations to ports across Africa such as Douala, Lagos / Apapa, Tema, Abidjan, Dakar and Mombasa, once destination port and quantity are confirmed.
Do you support mixed-container shipments?
Yes. Mixed-container loading lets you combine several products in one container, reducing the minimum commitment per product line.
Can refrigerated (reefer) containers be arranged?
Yes, where required for temperature-sensitive products such as butter, cheese and chocolate. Confirm your requirement at enquiry stage.
What documents are required for export?
It depends on the product and destination, and commonly includes the product specification, COA, Certificate of Origin, health or food-contact declarations where applicable, SDS for chemicals, packing list and commercial invoice.
Can you quote freight before supplier confirmation?
CIF freight depends on route, volume and timing, so CIF pricing is confirmed after the destination port, quantity and product availability are agreed.
Can you quote CIF Abidjan?
Yes. We prepare CIF Abidjan quotations for dairy products, food ingredients, detergent raw materials and packaging once you confirm product, quantity and destination port. Typical transit from Rotterdam or Antwerp to Abidjan is 14–21 days.
Can you quote CIF Dakar?
Yes. CIF Dakar quotations are available for food and chemical products once destination, quantity and product are confirmed. Dakar is a common destination for buyers in Senegal and neighbouring Sahelian countries, with transit from Northwest Europe typically 14–18 days.
Can you quote CIF Beira?
Yes. CIF Beira quotations are available for dairy products, food ingredients, detergent raw materials and packaging. Beira is Mozambique's main container port and the gateway for landlocked Zimbabwe, Zambia and Malawi via the Beira Corridor. Transit from Rotterdam is typically 21–28 days via the Cape of Good Hope route.
Can you quote CIF Colombo?
Yes. We quote CIF Colombo for dairy ingredients, cocoa, food additives and detergent raw materials. Colombo is a major hub port in South Asia; transit from Rotterdam is typically 20–28 days via Suez.

Ready to Import?

Tell us what you need and receive a competitive export offer.

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