"Exports free on board (f.o.b.) and Imports cost insurance freight (c.i.f.) are, in general, customs statistics reported under the general trade statistics according to the recommendations of the UN International Trade Statistics. For some countries Imports are reported as f.o.b. instead of c.i.f. which is generally accepted. When reporting Imports as f.o.b. you will have the effect of reducing the value of Imports by the amount of the cost of insurance and freight.