Budgeting for an import order involves more than just the product price. Here’s the complete cost picture so you can plan accurately — and avoid surprises.
1. Product / FOB Price
The unit cost quoted by the factory (FOB price). This is your baseline — typically 30–50% lower than equivalent local production.
2. Sourcing Agent Fee
- Percentage-based: commonly 3–10% of the order value
- Flat/consulting fee: per project or per hour
- Often worth it vs. the cost of mistakes — poor quality and scams cost far more
3. Shipping & Freight
- Sea freight (LCL/FCL): cheapest for bulk, slower (20–40 days)
- Air freight: fastest (3–7 days), 4–8x the cost
- Courier (DHL/FedEx): for small parcels
4. Insurance
Cargo insurance (typically 0.3–0.5% of cargo value) protects against loss or damage in transit.
5. Customs Duties & Taxes
Import duties (varies by product and country), VAT/sales tax, and possible tariffs. Calculate these based on your country’s HS codes before ordering.
6. Quality Inspection (QC)
Pre-shipment inspection typically ranges from $150–500 per order, depending on product type and scope. It’s cheap insurance against defective goods.
7. Other Costs
Bank/transfer fees, currency conversion, customs broker fees, and storage/warehousing if needed.
Example Ballpark (10,000 units, $2 FOB each)
- Product cost: $20,000
- Agent fee (~5%): $1,000
- Sea freight (LCL): ~$1,500
- Insurance: ~$60
- Duties (10%): ~$2,000
- QC inspection: ~$300
- Total: roughly $24,860** — or about **$2.49/unit landed
Get an Accurate Quote
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