FOB vs CIF vs DDP for TiO2 Imports
Incoterms allocate cost and risk between seller and buyer. Choose based on your in-house logistics capability and risk appetite.
International Commercial Terms (Incoterms) are the standardized rules published by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) that define seller and buyer obligations in international trade. Choosing the right Incoterm for TiO2 import affects landed cost, risk allocation, and operational complexity. Most buyers default to FOB without realizing CIF or DDP might serve them better at their volume and destination.
FOB: Free On Board — buyer controls logistics
FOB — Free On Board: - Seller obligations: load goods onto buyer-nominated vessel at named port; clear export customs - Buyer obligations: ocean freight, marine insurance, import customs, inland delivery - Risk transfer: at vessel rail (when goods cross ship's rail at port of loading)
FOB Qingdao: - We deliver TiO2 to Qingdao port, load onto your nominated vessel - You arrange and pay for ocean freight - Your insurance covers the cargo from Qingdao - Best for: large buyers with established freight forwarder relationships; multi-shipment volume buyers - Typical pricing: lowest seller price ($X/kg), but you add freight ($30–60/MT depending on destination), insurance ($5–10/MT), import duties, and inland transport
CIF and DDP: seller-managed logistics options
CIF — Cost, Insurance, Freight: - Seller obligations: ocean freight to named destination port, marine insurance, export customs - Buyer obligations: import customs, port handling at destination, inland delivery - Risk transfer: at vessel rail at port of loading (same as FOB, despite seller paying freight)
CIF Jebel Ali / CIF Santos / CIF Hamburg: - We pay for ocean freight to the destination port - We arrange marine insurance (minimum cover; you may want additional cover) - You handle import customs and inland delivery - Best for: buyers without strong freight forwarder relationships - Typical pricing: $X/kg + $30–80/MT freight + $5–10/MT insurance — all built into CIF price
DDP — Delivered Duty Paid: - Seller obligations: full delivery to buyer's factory or warehouse, including import customs and duties - Buyer obligations: unload at delivery point - Risk transfer: at the agreed destination point
DDP buyer factory: - We deliver TiO2 directly to your factory or warehouse - We handle: ocean freight, insurance, import customs, duty payment, inland trucking - You: just receive and unload - Best for: buyers wanting maximum simplicity; first-time importers; buyers in jurisdictions with complex customs - Typical pricing: highest seller price (DDP includes all costs, taxes, and our coordination)
EXW — Ex Works (uncommon): - Seller obligations: just make goods available at our facility - Buyer obligations: everything else — pickup, export customs, freight, import, delivery - Not commonly used for international TiO2 trade
Choosing the right Incoterm for your situation
Choose FOB if: - You have established freight forwarder relationships - You import multiple FCL per year - You want to actively manage and optimize logistics cost - You have in-house import expertise
Choose CIF if: - You want simpler invoicing (one number from seller) - You import 1–10 FCL per year — too small to optimize freight independently - You're in a destination market with relatively simple customs
Choose DDP if: - You're a first-time importer - Your destination has complex/slow customs (e.g., Brazil, some African ports) - You want zero logistics overhead - You're a smaller buyer (sample to 1–2 FCL) - You want fixed all-in landed cost for budgeting
Cost comparison example (1 FCL = 20 t TiO2, USD/MT):
| Cost component | FOB Qingdao | CIF Jebel Ali | DDP Dubai | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TiO2 price | 2400 | 2400 | 2400 | |
| Ocean freight | (separate) ~40 | 40 (included) | 40 (included) | |
| Insurance | (separate) ~6 | 6 (included) | 6 (included) | |
| Import duty (5% UAE) | ~123 | ~123 | 123 (included) | |
| Port handling | ~25 | ~25 | 25 (included) | |
| Inland trucking | ~30 | ~30 | 30 (included) | |
| Seller margin on logistics | 0 | 0 | ~50 | |
| Total landed cost | ~2624 | ~2624 | ~2674 |
The DDP premium (~$50/MT in this example) reflects our coordination value and risk-bearing. For first-time buyers, the simplicity is usually worth it.
Currency considerations: - FOB / CIF / DDP all typically priced in USD - Some buyers prefer Euro or local currency contracts — we accommodate where feasible - Currency hedging is buyer's responsibility on FOB / CIF; we hedge our portion on DDP
Payment timing: - FOB / CIF: typically 30% TT advance + 70% TT against B/L (you have product control before final payment) - DDP: typically 30% TT advance + 70% TT against arrival notification or formal delivery - LC at sight: works for all three terms
For your first shipment, we typically recommend CIF (simpler than FOB, lower premium than DDP). For repeat business, FOB is usually most cost-effective.
Incoterms 2020 updates and TiO2 trade implications
The ICC published Incoterms 2020 (effective January 1, 2020), replacing Incoterms 2010. The practical changes relevant to TiO2 trade are limited but worth noting:
FCA (Free Carrier) with on-board notation: Incoterms 2020 added an option for FCA contracts to allow the buyer to instruct their bank to issue an on-board Bill of Lading — previously only possible under FOB. For buyers using Letters of Credit who prefer FCA (risk transfer at seller's warehouse or inland terminal rather than vessel rail), this change makes FCA more practical without losing LC compatibility. For TiO2, FCA Qingdao factory is sometimes used when the buyer's freight forwarder collects directly from the plant.
DDP vs DAP (Delivered at Place): Incoterms 2020 retained both DDP and DAP (which replaced DAF, DES, DDU from 2010). DAP is DDP without import duty payment — the seller delivers to the destination, but the buyer handles import customs and duty. DAP is useful for buyers in markets where the supplier cannot legally act as import customs declarant. SEMITI offers DAP for markets where DDP is administratively complex.
CFR (Cost and Freight) without insurance: CFR is the marine equivalent of CIF but without insurance — seller pays freight, buyer arranges own insurance. Occasionally preferred by buyers whose cargo insurance program offers better rates than seller-arranged cover. Available on request.
Export documentation and HS codes for TiO2
Correct HS code classification is essential for import duty calculation, duty drawback claims, and trade statistics.
TiO2 HS codes: - 2823.00 — Titanium oxides (covers all TiO2 pigment grades — rutile, anatase, nano) - Under HS 2023 revision, some countries further sub-classify by crystal form or processing: - 2823.00.10 (some jurisdictions): rutile - 2823.00.90: anatase and other
Import duties on TiO2 (major markets, 2025–2026):
| Destination | MFN duty rate | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU | 0% | TiO2 is duty-free under EU common external tariff | |
| USA | 0% (MFN) | No TiO2 specific duty; Section 301 tariffs DO NOT apply to HS 2823 | |
| India | 7.5% BCD | Basic customs duty; plus IGST 18% | |
| Brazil | 10–14% II | Import duty on TiO2; check CAMEX for current rate | |
| Turkey | 0% | Customs union with EU for industrial goods | |
| Vietnam | 0–5% | ASEAN FTA rates; 0% for ASEAN origin; MFN 5% for China origin | |
| Indonesia | 5% BM | Check current BTKI | |
| South Africa | 0% | No duty on TiO2 | |
| Nigeria | 5% | Common External Tariff (ECOWAS) |
Anti-dumping duties: As of 2026, there are no active anti-dumping duties on Chinese TiO2 in the EU, USA, or India. The EU maintained provisional ADD measures against Chinese TiO2 in 2008–2011 but these have long since lapsed. Monitor the EU Trade Defence Instruments (TDI) database and USITC for any new investigations.
Certificate of Origin (COO): For shipments from China, the standard COO is FORM A (Generalized System of Preferences, issued by China Customs). Some buyers require a generic COO stamped by the China Chamber of Commerce. For shipments where FTA preferences apply (e.g., ASEAN-China FTA for Vietnam, Indonesia), Form E is used instead of Form A.