What is the difference between FOB and CIF for PET preforms?

FOB means Delta clears export and loads the vessel at the Egyptian port, and you take freight, insurance and import. CIF adds sea freight and marine insurance to your destination port. Always compare landed cost, not the headline price.

Which Incoterm is best for importing preforms from Egypt?

FOB is the common export basis and makes quotes comparable; EXW is the lowest headline number but you bear all export, freight and import. Convert each to landed cost before deciding.

PET Preform Incoterms: EXW, FOB, CFR, CIF for Egypt Export

When you import PET preforms from Egypt, the Incoterm sets what is included in the price and where risk transfers — so two quotes are only comparable on the same basis.

Production hall at Delta El Nile for Industry’s plant in New Salhiya City, Egypt — Our production hall in New Salhiya City, Egypt. More about our plant →

Why the Incoterm decides your landed cost

A quoted unit price means little without the term. EXW is the lowest number, but you pay everything from the factory door; CIF includes sea freight and insurance to your port. Always compare landed cost, not the headline price.

The four you will see

EXW (Ex Works) — you collect from the New Salhiya City factory and handle all export, freight and import. FOB (Free On Board) — Delta delivers, clears export and loads the vessel at the Egyptian port; you take freight, insurance and import. CFR (Cost & Freight) — adds sea freight to your destination port. CIF (Cost, Insurance & Freight) — adds marine insurance too.

Compare quotes apples-to-apples

Ask every supplier for the same term (FOB is the common export basis), or convert to landed cost: add freight, insurance, duty and inland haulage onto an EXW/FOB figure. A higher FOB from a closer, faster supplier can beat a lower EXW.

Size the freight first

Freight is charged per container, so loading matters: estimate containers for your SKU and quantity in the Container Calculator and read container loading. Then request a quote on your chosen term in the Smart RFQ — state the destination port and Incoterm so the figure is final.