05/08/2026
When importing from China, the supplier’s price is only one part of the equation. Freight, customs duty, shipping method, clearing costs, exchange rates, and local delivery can completely change whether your business makes money or loses it.
I’ve seen people celebrate negotiating a supplier down, only to lose far more because they chose the wrong shipping option or failed to calculate the true landed cost before making payment.
Importing is not about buying cheaply. It is about buying intelligently.
Before you pay a supplier, you should already have a good estimate of what it will cost to get that product into your warehouse or shop. That number determines your selling price, your margin, and whether the business makes sense at all.
This is why we continue to emphasize landed cost. It is one of the most overlooked concepts in importing, yet it separates profitable importers from those who are always wondering where their money went.
Know your numbers before you pay.
Your profit is decided long before your goods arrive.
You can use our landed cost calculator before you start that import journey.
