How we estimate landed cost

The price on a supplier listing is almost never what a unit costs you in your warehouse. Our estimate adds the pieces most first-time importers forget.

The formula

landed = FOB goods
       + ocean freight + origin & destination handling
       + US general duty (by HTS code)
       + Section 301 tariff (China-origin)
       + MPF and HMF customs fees
÷ quantity

What each line means

• FOB goods — the supplier's price with goods delivered on board at a Chinese port. We use the midpoint of the listed range; quotes replace it with a real number.
• Freight — we estimate volume from a category-average CBM per unit and apply a current LCL rate plus fixed handling at both ends. Real carton dimensions from a quote make this exact.
• Duty — the general HTS rate for the category. Classification matters: a “lamp” and a “lamp part” can carry different rates.
• Section 301 — additional tariffs on most China-origin goods, currently 7.5% or 25% depending on the list. This changes; every estimate shows its as-of date.
• MPF / HMF — Merchandise Processing Fee (0.3464%, with a floor and cap) and Harbor Maintenance Fee (0.125%) on ocean imports.

What is not included

Customs broker fees, inland trucking in the US, insurance, samples, and any anti-dumping/countervailing duties that apply to specific products (e.g. some solar and steel goods). Our desk flags these on the quote when relevant.

Why show an estimate at all

Because “$2.40 FOB” and “$4.10 landed” lead to different decisions, and you should make that decision before you spend a week emailing factories.