Cost and Freight (CFR) Explained: What Is Cost and Freight (CFR)?
Cost and freight (CFR) is a business term used in international trade to describe the buyer and seller’s responsibilities for transporting goods from one location to another. It is the seller’s job to get the goods to the port of shipment, make arrangements for the goods to be shipped by sea, and pay the freight costs.
The buyer is responsible for unloading the goods at the port of destination, as well as any costs for shipping, handling, storage, duties, taxes, and other fees.

What Is An Incoterm?
An Incoterm is a business term put out by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) that says what the buyer and seller are responsible for when it comes to getting goods from one place to another. Incoterms are used in international trade to make sure everyone knows what their responsibilities are and to avoid misunderstandings and disagreements.
Each Incoterm spells out the buyer’s and seller’s responsibilities when it comes to the transportation of goods. This includes who is in charge of getting insurance, who is in charge of paying transportation costs, who is in charge of getting export and import licenses, and who is in charge of making sure the goods get to their final destination.
In short, an Incoterm is a business term published by the International Chamber of Commerce that explains the buyer’s and seller’s responsibilities when it comes to shipping goods in international trade.
What Does Cost and Freight (CFR) Mean?
Cost and Freight (CFR) is a business term used in international trade to describe the buyer and seller’s responsibilities for transporting goods from one location to another.One of the 11 International Commercial Terms (Incoterms) that the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) published is CFR.
Under the CFR, the seller is in charge of getting the products to a port of shipment and making arrangements for the goods to be transported by sea. The seller must also get the products shipped to the named port of destination and pay for the freight.
Once the products are loaded onto the ship at the port of shipment, the buyer is responsible for them. The buyer also has to make sure that the goods are unloaded at the port of destination and pay for any additional transportation, handling, or storage costs.
When the products arrive at the port of destination, the buyer is also responsible for any duties, taxes, or other fees that may be due.
CFR can be used for any kind of goods that are shipped by sea, and it is usually used when the buyer wants to take control of the products at the port of destination.
In short, CFR is a business term used in international trade that says it is the seller’s job to get the goods to the port of shipment, make arrangements for the goods to be shipped by sea, and pay the freight costs to get the goods to the named port of destination.
Once the goods are loaded onto the ship at the port of shipment, the buyer is responsible for them. The buyer is also responsible for unloading the goods at the port of destination, as well as any costs for shipping, handling, storage, duties, taxes, and other fees that may be due when the goods arrive at the port of destination.
Incoterms and Cost and Freight (CFR)
What Is The Difference Between Cost and Freight (CFR) and Free On Board (FOB)?
Cost and Freight (CFR) and Free On Board (FOB) are both trade terms that are used in international trade to describe the buyer’s and seller’s responsibilities for getting the products from one place to another. Both terms have to do with shipping products by sea, but they mean different things and have different effects for the buyer and seller.
The main difference between CFR and FOB is where the buyer takes responsibility for the products. Under the CFR, the seller is in charge of getting the products to a port of shipment and making arrangements for the products to be sent by sea.
The seller must also get the products shipped to the named port of destination and pay for the freight. Once the goods are loaded onto the ship at the port of shipment, the buyer is responsible for them. It is also up to the buyer to make sure the goods are unloaded at the port of destination.
Under FOB, it is up to the seller to get the products to the port of shipment and load them onto the ship. The seller must also get any export permits that are needed and pay to have the products put on the ship. Once the products are loaded onto the ship, they are the buyer’s responsibility, including the cost of shipping and insurance.
The buyer is also in charge of making sure that the products are unloaded at the port of destination.
In short, the main difference between CFR and FOB is where the buyer takes responsibility for the products. Under CFR, the buyer is responsible for the products once they are loaded onto the ship at the port of shipment.
Under FOB, the buyer is responsible for the products once they are loaded onto the ship at the port of shipment.
What Is The Difference Between Cost and Freight (CFR) and Free Alongside Ship (FAS)?
Both Cost and Freight (CFR) and Free Alongside Ship (FAS) are international trade terms that define the buyer’s and seller’s responsibilities for transporting products from one location to another. Both terms have to do with shipping products by sea, but they mean different things and have different effects for the buyer and seller.
The point at which the seller is no longer responsible for the products is the main difference between CFR and FAS. Under the CFR, the seller is in charge of getting the products to a port of shipment and making arrangements for the products to be sent by sea. The seller must also get the products shipped to the named port of destination and pay for the freight. Once the goods are put on the ship at the port of shipment, the buyer is responsible for them.
Under FAS, the seller is responsible for getting the goods to the port of shipment and putting them next to the ship. The seller must also get any export permits that are needed and pay any costs related to loading the goods onto the ship. Once the goods are put next to the ship, the buyer is responsible for them, including paying for shipping and insurance.
The buyer is also in charge of getting the goods loaded onto the ship and paying for any transportation, handling, or storage costs that may come up afterward.
In short, the main difference between CFR and FAS is that the seller is no longer responsible for the products. Under CFR, the seller’s responsibility ends when the goods are loaded onto the ship at the port of shipment. Under FAS, the seller’s responsibility ends when the goods are put next to the ship at the port of shipment.
What Is The Difference Between Cost and Freight (CFR) and Cost Insurance and Freight (CIF)?
Cost and Freight (CFR) and Cost Insurance and Freight (CIF) are both trade terms used in international trade to describe the buyer’s and seller’s responsibilities for the transportation of goods. Both terms have to do with shipping goods by sea, but they mean different things and have different effects for the buyer and seller.
The main difference between CFR and CIF is how much insurance the seller has to get for the goods. Under the CFR, the seller is in charge of getting the goods to a port of shipment and making arrangements for the goods to be sent by sea.
The seller must also get the goods shipped to the named port of destination and pay for the freight. Once the goods are put on the ship at the port of shipment, the buyer is responsible for them. The seller is not required to get insurance for the goods, but the buyer can get their own insurance if they want to.
Under CIF, the seller is in charge of getting the goods to a port of shipment and setting up the sea shipment. The seller must also get and pay for freight to get the goods to the named port of destination.
They must also get insurance for the goods while they are being shipped. The amount of insurance must be at least as much as the value of the goods, and it should cover loss or damage to the goods while they are in transit. Once the goods are put on the ship at the port of shipment, the buyer is responsible for them.
In short, the main difference between CFR and CIF is that under CIF, the seller has to get insurance for the goods while they are being shipped, but under CFR, the seller does not have to get insurance.
Who Should Use Cost and Freight (CFR)?
Cost and Freight (CFR) is a business term used in international trade to describe the responsibilities of the buyer and seller when goods are shipped by sea. Most of the time, CFR is used by sellers who have to ship goods to buyers in different countries.
This could be a manufacturer, a wholesaler, or another business that sells goods around the world.
Using CFR can give the buyer some peace of mind that the seller will arrange for the goods to be shipped and pay the freight charges. It can also make it easier to buy things from another country since the seller is in charge of making sure the goods are shipped by sea.
Buyers who want to be in charge of the goods at the port of destination may prefer CFR. Once the goods are loaded onto the ship at the port of shipment, the buyer is responsible for them.
In short, sellers who do international business use the CFR to figure out who is responsible for shipping goods to a port of destination and paying the freight charges. Buyers can also use CFR when they want to get control of the goods at the port of destination.
Which Incoterm Is Best For Your Business?
If you want to know what your responsibilities are and avoid taking unnecessary risks, you should know the most common Incoterms used in international shipping contracts. But you can always ask Forceget for help if you’re still not sure what you need to start doing business around the world.
Forceget tells exporters and importers that because they are experts in international shipping, they should choose the Incoterm that works best for them.