I have discovered to my HORROR that CIF terms in China got a totally different meaning? Certain Chinese shipping companies define their on flavour of the term CIF!? Screw convention! They accept a CIF consignment mark the Bill Of Lading as FREIGHT PREPAID then instruct the agent at the receiving port to add additional charges! This then becomes a free for all! The receiving agent then charges so call "FREE HAND FEES" which basically means what ever they like! These charges amounts to +/- 300% of the going rate! A rip-off in any man's language! The next phenomenon is that while the CIF terms are discussed every body got command on the English language. However, as soon as there is a problem one receive an incoherent "Pigeon English" communication where words seemingly are pick at random and lumped together rendering it useless as a communication tool! Sign language is probably the way to go! To add further insult to injury you are stuck between a rock and a hard place as they got you by the short ends! Your cargo will not be released unless you meet their demands! This is extortion and in my humble opinion fraudulent in nature! The next issue is that seemingly nobody is responsible! Getting a simple explanation "What are these charges on a CIF consignment?" Believe it or not this is the most difficult question on GOD's earth to answer! Is there any controlling body that govern this sector? Who do one turned? Anyone advise/direct?