Shipping Guide
FOB vs CIF vs DDP for Apparel Orders
FOB, CIF, and DDP are shipping terms that change who manages freight, insurance, customs, duty, and final delivery. Apparel buyers should compare them by landed cost and responsibility, not only by factory unit price.
This guide helps apparel buyers understand shipping terms before approving bulk production.
Quick facts
- FOB: Useful when the buyer has a freight forwarder and wants control after port handoff
- CIF: Useful when seller arranges freight and insurance to the destination port
- DDP: Useful when buyer wants a landed door-to-door quote
- Quote risk: Unit price without freight and customs can mislead buyers
- Aloha support: FOB, CIF, and DDP are available for resort wear orders
What this page should answer
FOB can make sense for experienced importers who already manage international freight. It gives the buyer more control but also more responsibility.
CIF can be useful when the seller arranges freight to the destination port, but the buyer still needs to understand customs and final delivery responsibilities.
DDP can simplify first-time or smaller orders because the buyer can compare a door-to-door landed estimate before committing.
Best fit
- Buyers comparing shipping terms
- First-time apparel importers
- Brands calculating landed cost
- Hospitality buyers planning delivery deadlines
Not the right fit
- Assuming the lowest ex-factory price is the best total cost
- Choosing shipping terms after goods are packed
- Ignoring destination and delivery deadline in the quote
How to use this resource before production
- 01. Ask the supplier to quote the same order under the relevant shipping terms.
- 02. Compare what is included: freight, insurance, customs, duties, and final delivery.
- 03. Confirm carton count, dimensions, weight, destination, and delivery deadline.
- 04. Choose the term that matches your import experience and risk tolerance.
Terms buyers usually need before quoting
- MOQ: Most custom resort wear programs start at MOQ 50 pieces per style per color, with lower-risk assortment planning across shirts, dresses, swimwear, matching sets, and accessories.
- Sample: Sampling confirms fabric handfeel, print scale, fit, label placement, and packaging before bulk production, so buyer teams can approve the actual product path.
- Bulk: Bulk production is planned after sample approval, final artwork, size breakdown, care-label language, carton needs, and payment terms are confirmed.
- Shipping: FOB, CIF, and DDP shipping options are compared before production closes, with DDP used when buyers want a landed quote that includes customs and door delivery.
- Customization: Customization can include repeat prints, color matching, fabric substitution, private labels, hang tags, size labels, trims, packaging, and collection-level coordination.
What to send before sampling
Category, style IDs, target units, size range, destination market, delivery window, and preferred shipping term.
Artwork files, references, logo files, label needs, care-label language, packaging expectations, and retail channel.
Open decisions such as fabric, print method, fit references, trims, carton requirements, and whether FOB, CIF, or DDP is preferred.
Buyer questions answered directly
- Which term is best for first-time apparel importers?
- DDP is often easiest because it can include customs handling and door delivery in one landed quote.
- Why do apparel quotes vary by shipping term?
- Because each term includes different responsibilities and cost categories.
- Can Aloha & Co quote DDP?
- Yes. Aloha & Co supports DDP, plus FOB and CIF for buyers with their own freight process.