ImportMetric

Import cost planning guide

Import Cost Checklist: What to Include Before You Buy

A useful import-cost model is less about a clever formula and more about making sure important cost categories are not missing or counted twice.

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Quick answer

Define the destination, then list every cost needed to get usable inventory there.

The supplier price is the beginning of the cost stack. A good checklist separates sourcing and landed costs from later selling-channel costs so each decision is measured cleanly.

Supplier layer

Start with the complete purchase cost.

Unit price × order quantityTooling or mold chargesSetup chargesCustom packagingLabeling or printingInspection paid to supplierSamples credited or not creditedBank / payment fees if attributable

Confirm whether any charge is one-time or recurring. One-time tooling should not automatically be treated as a permanent unit cost without an allocation policy.

Origin and freight layer

Match the logistics costs to the Incoterm.

Factory pickupOrigin inland transportExport handlingDocumentationMain international freightCargo insuranceTerminal charges where applicableForwarder service fees

Do not add freight twice when it is already included in CIF or another quoted basis. Use the written quote scope rather than the Incoterm label alone.

Border layer

Document both the rate and the base.

Tariff classificationCountry of originDuty rateCustoms value basisImport VAT/GST if applicableBroker / clearance feesAdditional trade measuresInspection or regulatory fees

A duty percentage without the customs-value basis is incomplete. Keep the classification, rate source and valuation assumption with the calculation.

Destination layer

Bring the goods to the destination used in the model.

Port / terminal chargesCustoms release feesInland deliveryWarehouse receivingUnloadingShort-term storageInspection on arrivalOther direct import costs

Selling layer

Keep channel economics separate from landed cost.

Marketplace commission, fulfillment, payment processing, advertising, customer delivery, returns and sales taxes may be important for profit, but they are not always part of landed cost. Keep them in a second layer so the sourcing cost and selling economics remain understandable.

Calculate a target selling price after landed cost

Final review

Before approving the order.

Same currency across inputsSame destination definitionNo duplicated freightNo duplicated duty or taxQuantity is realisticCosts are current enoughAssumptions are documentedRun a downside scenario