Calculate the true total cost of importing goods into the United States — including product cost, duties, freight, insurance, MPF, HMF, and every fee in between. Know your real cost before you order.
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ℹ️ Current Rates: Duty rates and tariff information reflect current CBP schedules. Section 301 tariff lists are subject to ongoing policy changes — always verify current rates with a licensed customs broker before filing.
What Is Landed Cost?
The True Cost of Importing — Beyond the Invoice Price
The landed cost is the total cost of a product once it has arrived at your facility — including every expense incurred from the point of manufacture to delivery. Many importers are caught off guard when the actual cost of their goods is significantly higher than the supplier's invoice price.
Understanding your landed cost before placing an order is critical for accurate pricing, margin calculations, and cash flow planning. A shipment that looks profitable at the invoice price can quickly become a loss when duties, fees, and freight are factored in.
Landed Cost Formula
🏭 Product Cost (Invoice Value)
$10,000.00
✈️ International Freight
$850.00
🛡️ Cargo Insurance
$55.00
📊 Import Duties (MFN Rate)
$300.00
🇨🇳 Section 301 Tariffs
$750.00
📋 Merchandise Processing Fee
$37.50
⚓ Harbor Maintenance Fee
$13.44
💰 Total Landed Cost
$12,005.94
In this example, the landed cost is 20% higher than the invoice price — a significant difference that must be accounted for in your product pricing and margin calculations.
Components Explained
What's Included in Landed Cost?
🏭
Product Cost
The invoice value of the goods — what you pay your supplier. This is the starting point for all duty calculations.
✈️
International Freight
Cost to ship goods from the country of origin to the U.S. port of entry. Varies by transport mode, weight, and volume.
🛡️
Cargo Insurance
Typically 0.3-0.5% of the cargo value. Protects against loss or damage during transit. Often required by freight forwarders.
📊
Import Duties
CBP duties based on the HTS code and country of origin. Ranges from 0% to 37.5%+ depending on product category.
🇨🇳
Section 301 Tariffs
Additional 7.5%-25% tariffs on goods of Chinese origin. A major cost factor for importers sourcing from China.
📋
CBP Fees (MPF/HMF)
Merchandise Processing Fee (0.3464%) and Harbor Maintenance Fee (0.125% ocean only). Applied to most commercial shipments.
Incoterms & Customs Value
How Incoterms Affect Your Landed Cost Calculation
The Incoterms on your commercial invoice determine which costs are included in the dutiable customs value — the amount CBP uses to calculate your duties. This significantly affects your landed cost.
In this example the Section 301 tariff alone adds $6,730 to the cost — a 27% increase over the invoice price. Without calculating landed cost in advance, this importer would have severely underpriced their product.
How It Works
Get Your Landed Cost in 3 Steps
01
Upload Your Invoice
Upload your Commercial Invoice as PDF, PNG, or JPG. Our system reads every line item, HTS code, and value automatically.
02
AI Calculates All Costs
Duties, Section 301 tariffs, MPF, HMF, and freight estimates are calculated automatically for every line item.
03
Get Your Full Breakdown
Receive a complete landed cost report with line-by-line duty breakdown and total estimated cost emailed to your inbox.
Amazon FBA sellers must price their products to cover all costs including import duties, freight, and Amazon fees. Failing to account for landed cost is one of the most common reasons FBA businesses fail — a product that appears profitable based on the supplier invoice can quickly become a money-loser when duties and shipping are factored in. Calculating landed cost before placing an order is essential for setting profitable selling prices on Amazon.
Freight costs vary significantly based on transport mode (ocean vs air), origin country, cargo weight and volume, and current market conditions. Ocean freight from China to the U.S. West Coast typically ranges from $800-$2,500 per 20-foot container for standard goods. Air freight is significantly more expensive — typically $3-8 per kilogram — but much faster. CustomsValidator uses standard freight estimates based on shipment weight and transport mode when calculating landed cost from your invoice.
The invoice value is what you pay your supplier. The customs value (also called the dutiable value) is what CBP uses to calculate duties — it may be higher or lower than the invoice value depending on your incoterms and any additions or deductions required by CBP regulations. Under CIF incoterms, the customs value includes freight and insurance, making duties higher than if calculated on the FOB value alone.
CustomsValidator calculates duties and CBP fees accurately based on the HTS codes and values on your invoice. Freight estimates are approximations based on standard rates — actual freight costs may vary. The tool is designed to give you a reliable estimate for planning and pricing purposes. For precise customs duty amounts on formal entry filings, always work with a licensed customs broker.
Yes — there are several legal strategies to reduce import costs. First-Sale Valuation allows duties to be assessed on the manufacturer's price rather than the middleman's price when there are multiple parties in the supply chain. Foreign Trade Zones (FTZs) allow goods to be imported without paying duties until they enter U.S. commerce. Duty drawback allows recovery of duties on goods that are re-exported. Country of origin diversification away from China can eliminate Section 301 tariffs. A licensed customs broker can advise on which strategies apply to your situation.
Know Your True Import Cost Before You Order
Upload your commercial invoice and get a complete landed cost breakdown in seconds — product cost, duties, Section 301 tariffs, MPF, HMF, and total delivered cost.