In the customs-based China tomato paste shipment records reviewed by RTM, DAP, CFR, FOB and CIF are the main reported trade terms by shipment weight, with DAP and CFR standing out as the largest two categories. This suggests that many China tomato paste deals are quoted with seller-arranged logistics, not only on a simple FOB basis.
Tomato paste is heavy, containerized and often shipped across long sea routes. A buyer may see one supplier quote FOB China, another quote CFR Tema, CIF Mombasa or DAP warehouse. The lower unit price is not always the lower landed cost unless freight, insurance, port costs and inland delivery are separated clearly.
That is why a tomato paste quotation should not be judged only by the product price per metric ton. Before comparing suppliers, importers should first ask one basic question: what trade term is the quotation based on?
What FOB, CFR, CIF and DAP Usually Mean in Tomato Paste Buying
These short explanations are practical purchasing notes, not a contract manual. The named port or named place still needs to be written clearly in the final order.
| Trade term | Practical meaning for buyers | What to confirm before comparing offers |
|---|---|---|
| FOB | The seller usually clears the goods for export and delivers them on board the vessel at the named loading port. From that point, the buyer normally controls ocean freight, insurance, destination port charges and inland delivery. | Loading port, shipping schedule, forwarder responsibility and whether the buyer's freight rate is being compared separately. |
| CFR | The seller generally pays ocean freight to the named destination port, while risk usually transfers once the goods are loaded on board at the loading port. Insurance and import-side costs still need separate confirmation. | Destination port, freight validity, shipping line, arrival charges and who is responsible for insurance coverage. |
| CIF | The seller generally includes cost, ocean freight and marine insurance to the named destination port, while risk usually transfers once the goods are loaded on board at the loading port. | Insurance coverage, destination port costs, documents required by the buyer and whether coverage is enough for the buyer's internal policy. |
| DAP | The seller generally arranges delivery to a named destination place. Import clearance, duties and taxes are usually not included unless specifically agreed. | The exact delivery place, import clearance responsibility, inland delivery boundary, unloading arrangement and local charges. |
Data Observation: Major Reported Trade Terms by Shipment Weight
RTM-reviewed customs-based tomato paste shipment records from January 2025 to May 2026 show that DAP, CFR, FOB and CIF are all visible in China export data. Other terms such as CIP and CPT also appear, but this article focuses on the trade terms buyers most often need to compare in tomato paste sourcing.
The table below is a practical RTM customs-data snapshot. It should not be read as a complete ranking of the whole market, but it can provide a useful view of how reported trade terms appear in China tomato paste export records reviewed by RTM.
RTM Customs Data Snapshot: Reported Trade Terms by Weight
Based on customs-based shipment records reviewed by RTM where the trade term is clearly reported.
| Reported trade term | Shipment weight in reviewed records | Share of identifiable-term weight | Buyer-side reading |
|---|---|---|---|
| DAP | 63,815 tons | DAP appears as the largest reported category in this RTM customs-data snapshot, suggesting that some buyers prefer seller-arranged delivery beyond the destination port. | |
| CFR | 51,897 tons | Seller-arranged ocean freight to the destination port is also a major reported pattern in this subset. | |
| FOB | 24,135 tons | FOB is also reported, especially where buyers prefer to control freight and forwarder arrangements. | |
| CIF | 17,799 tons | CIF quotations can be useful when buyers want freight and insurance included to the port, but insurance details should still be checked. | |
| CIP | 12,210 tons | CIP can involve seller-arranged carriage and insurance to a named place, so buyers should confirm the delivery point and coverage details. | |
| CPT and smaller categories | 5,743 tons | Other reported terms are smaller in this reviewed subset and should be checked case by case. |
What the Data Suggests for Buyers
The customs records reviewed by RTM suggest a simple commercial point: buyers should not assume every China tomato paste offer is FOB. Seller-arranged logistics appears often enough that CFR, CIF and DAP quotations should be compared carefully with FOB offers.
This matters when comparing suppliers. A lower FOB price may not beat a CFR, CIF or DAP offer after freight, insurance, destination charges and inland delivery are added. At the same time, a seller-arranged freight offer should be checked for freight validity, shipment window, route, insurance coverage, risk transfer point and local cost boundaries.
For broader sourcing context, buyers may also review China tomato paste export destinations and Xinjiang's role in China tomato paste exports. Trade terms sit beside product specification, origin, crop year and shipment timing; they do not replace those sourcing checks.
What Buyers Should Confirm Before Sending an Inquiry
Before asking suppliers to quote tomato paste, importers can save time by confirming the logistics basis of the inquiry.
- Preferred trade term: FOB, CFR, CIF, DAP or another agreed term.
- Named port or named place: loading port, destination port, warehouse, factory or final delivery address.
- Freight and insurance boundary: who arranges ocean freight, marine insurance, inland trucking and local delivery.
- Import-side responsibility: who handles customs clearance, duties, taxes, destination port charges and unloading.
- Shipment plan: quantity, container type, loading month, destination market and document requirements.
- Product specification: Brix level, hot break or cold break, packaging, crop year, color value and any certification requirements.
When these points are clear, a buyer can request comparable quotations instead of comparing offers that include different parts of the logistics chain.
Buyer Takeaway
China tomato paste sourcing is not only a product-specification decision. Trade terms affect the buyer's freight exposure, delivery timeline, insurance position and landed-cost comparison. Before comparing prices, confirm the trade term and the named port or place first.
Discuss Your Trade Term Requirements with RTM
RTM can discuss bulk tomato paste offers under the trade term that matches your logistics setup, such as FOB, CFR, CIF or DAP as applicable to your route and delivery plan. Share your destination port or delivery place, product specification and shipment window so the quotation can be compared on the right basis.
Data source: customs-based China tomato paste shipment records obtained and reviewed by RTM, January 2025 to May 2026. The data is used as a market reference rather than a complete record of every shipment.