G-LC · ANSWER
FORM TS-LC/02 · REV 2026-09
~6 MIN READ
How much does it actually cost to import from China?
Short answer: a $10.70/unit ex-works quote typically lands in your warehouse at $16.76/unit — about +57% on top of the factory price, once you add every required cost layer. The exact number depends on your destination country, order size, freight mode, and how much "free help" your supplier actually provides. Here's the math, line by line.
Sample: 200 units, FOB Shanghai → US East Coast, HTS 8302.42
Updated: 2026-09
The real breakdown (no hand-waving)
This is the same example we publish on the homepage. Ex-works price $10.70/unit at 200-unit MOQ.
| Cost layer | Per unit | Notes |
|---|
| Ex-works price (200 units) | $10.70 | Factory floor, no freight, no duty |
| Sea freight LCL + origin charges | $3.40 | Port pickup, BAF, CAF, terminal handling, AMS |
| US import duty (HTS 8302.42, 7.9%) | $0.85 | Calculated on CIF (not ex-works) |
| Customs bond + entry filing fee | $0.48 | Single-entry bond, ~$125 minimum |
| Inspection (optional, 1 day) | $1.34 | Pre-shipment or PSI, $250–$300 per manday |
| True unit cost | $16.76 | Ex-works $10.70 → +57% |
WHAT'S NOT IN THIS NUMBER
Storage at the port if your broker is slow ($50–$200/day demurrage). Last-mile from the port to your warehouse ($1–$4/unit on a LTL). Sales tax if you sell B2C in some states. Customs exam if you get flagged (rare but $300+). And your time — the invisible line item that destroys most first-time importers.
What changes the number most
Three levers move your landed cost the most, in order of impact:
- Order size and MOQ — bulk tier prices beat small-batch premiums; mold amortization kills first orders. See the MOQ Cost Simulator for the math.
- Shipping mode — air freight at $4.20/kg vs sea LCL at $85/CBM is a 12× cost difference at 850 kg. See the Shipping Mode Comparator.
- Destination country duty — Germany 0-3%, US 0-10% (Section 301 can add 25%+ on Chinese-origin lists), India 10% BCD + SWS + IGST stack, UK 0-12% with UKCA marking costs.
Quick references by destination
Three costs first-time importers always miss
- Duty is calculated on CIF, not ex-works. Many suppliers quote FOB and your freight forwarder adds freight + insurance + freight to the duty base. A $10,000 FOB shipment with $1,800 freight gives you an $11,800 duty base, not $10,000.
- The "free sample" turns into a bill. Anything over $800 in value sent via DHL/FedEx triggers full US customs declaration, often with broker fees that exceed the sample value. Use the postal route (under $800, marked "sample, no commercial value") or DDP with your courier.
- Inspection isn't optional for risk categories. Toys, electronics, food-contact items, and children's products almost always require pre-shipment inspection (PSI) or lab testing. Budget $250–$500 per shipment.