What is excluded from a factory cabinet quote for Australia?
The cabinet quote is easy to read until you reach the blank spaces around the port, the truck and the installer. To estimate the cost of custom cabinets from China to Australia, start with the agreed product scope and ask for a written split between factory, freight, import and site costs. With FOB the buyer normally books ocean freight. With CIF the seller pays freight and arranges insurance to the named destination port. With DAP the seller arranges carriage to the agreed place, and the buyer normally handles import clearance, duties, taxes and unloading. Ask your broker and forwarder to confirm destination handling and any delivery limits. Check separately who measures the rooms, receives the crates, installs the cabinets and connects appliances or plumbing. Compare like for like before you approve the order.
What does it cost to import custom kitchen cabinetry from China to Australia, and what is excluded from a factory quote?
| Cost or responsibility | FOB | CIF | DAP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Products and agreed packing | Seller, as contracted | Seller, as contracted | Seller, as contracted |
| Export clearance | Seller | Seller | Seller |
| Ocean carriage | Buyer from the named shipping point | Seller to named destination port | Seller to named place |
| Cargo insurance | Buyer arranges if desired | Seller arranges required cover | No obligation to the buyer under DAP; agree any cover separately |
| Destination terminal charges | Usually buyer; check carrier and carriage terms | Check what seller’s freight contract includes | Check which charges are included in seller’s carriage and any buyer-side delays |
| Import clearance, duty and GST | Buyer | Buyer | Buyer |
| Inland carriage and unloading | Buyer arranges both | Buyer arranges both beyond the port | Seller carries to the named place; buyer unloads unless seller’s carriage contract has already covered the charge |
| Site measure, fitting and trades | Agree separately | Agree separately | Agree separately |
References · ICC Incoterms® rules · ABF China–Australia Free Trade Agreement · ABF value of taxable importation
Use the same drawing and delivery point
For each cost line, record the scope, included or separate, who is paying, who confirmed it and the date confirmed. Put charges that are still estimates on their own lines. Use the same dimensions, materials and delivery point for every quote, so a difference in the total can be traced to a specific item.
What to put on one comparison sheet
Write the named port or place next to each quote. Ask who pays for port storage, inspection, restricted access, unloading equipment and re-delivery if those costs arise. Risk under FOB and CIF generally transfers when the goods are on board at origin; under DAP it transfers when goods are at the named place ready for unloading.
Frequently asked questions
Does a CIF quotation include delivery to my address?
CIF covers the agreed ocean carriage and required cargo insurance to the named destination port. Ask separately for local delivery and unloading.
Who usually pays Australian duties and GST under DAP?
The buyer normally handles import clearance, duties and taxes. Ask a broker to confirm the tax and the importer of record for your shipment.
Are site measurement and installation included?
Check those services in the written scope. The trade term alone does not assign site measurement, installation, appliance connections or local trades.
Factory visits by appointment
Scope · Indicative allocation under the named trade term. Amounts, route charges, risk cover and site services depend on the signed quote, carriage contract and project address.
Our Foshan production base: 50,000 m², 400+ staff. Visits welcome.