Is insuring goods imported from abroad—against sinking, for example—permissible or impermissible, knowing that a foreign company handles the insurance, on condition that the importer is charged the full amount?

This type of insurance is often a commercial insurance that is Islamically forbidden, as it involves gambling (qimar) and excessive uncertainty (gharar). This is what the Islamic Fiqh Councils have agreed upon.

Therefore, it is not permissible to enter into it voluntarily. If it is possible to deliver goods through a company that does not deal with insurance, then that is preferable.

However, if only insurance companies are available, the second option should be taken, which is for the seller to deliver the commodity inclusive of shipping and insurance costs. It is hoped that there will be no sin upon you in that, due to the widespread affliction (umum al-balwa) and necessity.