The Importer's Notebook
Practical guides on duty, freight, VAT and unit economics — no fluff.
Importing basics
95 articles
How to Calculate Landed Cost for Imported Products: Step-by-Step Guide
Learn how to calculate landed cost with a step-by-step walkthrough, worked example, and cost breakdown table. Stop underpricing your imports.
Landed Cost vs Invoice Cost: Why Your Supplier Price Isn't Your Real Cost
Your supplier invoice shows one price but your real cost is much higher. Understand the difference between landed cost and invoice cost, with real product examples.
12 Hidden Import Costs That Eat Into Your Profit Margins
Beyond duty and freight, there are a dozen hidden costs that catch importers off guard. Here are the 12 most common — and how to budget for them.
First-Time Importer UK: How to Clear Goods Through Customs Step by Step
A complete step-by-step guide for first-time UK importers covering EORI registration, customs declarations, duty payments, and clearing goods through UK customs.
How to Find the Correct HS Code for Any Product You Import
Every imported product needs an HS code. Learn how the Harmonised System works, how to search for codes, and how to avoid costly misclassification errors.
What Do FOB, CIF, EXW and DDP Mean? Incoterms Explained for Importers
Incoterms define who pays for shipping, insurance, and customs. Learn what FOB, CIF, EXW, DDP and the other Incoterms mean and how they affect your landed cost.
FCL vs LCL Shipping: Which Is Cheaper for Your Import Volume?
FCL vs LCL cost comparison: calculate the break-even point for your shipment volume and choose the cheaper ocean freight option for your import business.
How to Compare Import Suppliers on Total Cost, Not Just Unit Price
How to compare import suppliers on total cost, not just unit price. A framework covering MOQ, Incoterms, defect rates, and landed cost with a worked comparison.
How to Calculate Profit Margins on Imported Goods Before You Buy
Learn how to calculate profit margin on imports before buying — with worked examples, minimum thresholds by channel, and margin formulas.
Break-Even Analysis for Importing: How Many Units Must You Sell?
Use break-even analysis for importing to calculate how many units you must sell to recover costs — with fixed vs variable cost breakdowns and MOQ scenarios.
Commercial Invoice for Customs Clearance: Every Field You Must Include
Complete commercial invoice template for customs — every required field, common mistakes that cause delays, and a printable checklist for importers worldwide.
Import Documentation Checklist UK: Every Document You Need Before Shipping
UK import documents checklist — every document required to clear goods through UK customs, who prepares each one, and retention requirements.
Ready to simplify your imports?
Stop guessing your landed costs — try LandedCost free and see exactly what every unit costs to import.