The Importer's Notebook
Practical guides on duty, freight, VAT and unit economics — no fluff.
Landed cost
28 articles
What Is Landed Cost and Why Every Importer Needs to Calculate It
Landed cost is the true total cost of getting a product from supplier to warehouse. Here's what goes into it and why ignoring it leads to pricing mistakes.
Tariff Engineering: Legal Strategies to Reduce Your Import Duties
Tariff engineering involves structuring your imports to benefit from lower duty rates while remaining fully compliant. Discover practical techniques that could significantly reduce your import costs.
Unit Economics for Importers: Know Your Numbers Before Scaling
Before scaling your import business, you need to understand the true per-unit economics. Learn how to calculate contribution margin, break-even volume, and when scaling actually makes financial sense.
Import vs Domestic Sourcing: A Complete Cost Comparison Framework
Should you import or buy locally? The answer depends on more than just unit price. Learn how to build a comprehensive cost comparison that accounts for all the hidden costs of importing.
How to Calculate and Compare Supplier Quotes Accurately
Comparing supplier quotes isn't just about the unit price. Here's how to make apples-to-apples comparisons that account for the true total cost.
Is Importing Actually Cheaper? A Real Cost Comparison with Domestic Sourcing
Importing isn't always cheaper than buying domestically. Here's a framework for comparing the true total cost of each approach, including the hidden costs most people miss.
How to Calculate Import Profitability: A Step-by-Step Guide
Learn the exact formula for calculating whether an imported product will be profitable, from purchase price to final margin after all costs.
Why Landed Cost Accuracy Can Make or Break Your Import Business
Small errors in landed cost calculations compound into massive profit losses. Learn why precision matters and how to avoid common calculation mistakes.
The Hidden Costs That Destroy Import Profitability
Most importers budget for product cost and shipping but miss dozens of hidden expenses. Here are the overlooked costs that silently erode your margins.
Selling Imported Goods on Amazon FBA: A Complete Profitability Framework
A comprehensive framework for calculating whether imported products will be profitable on Amazon FBA, including all fees, costs, and margin targets.
Import Profit Margin Calculator for E-Commerce Sellers
Use this free calculator to see your real profit per unit after product cost, shipping, duties, platform fees, and fulfilment. Know your margins before you commit.
How the 2026 US Tariff Reset Affects Import Costs: What Every Importer Needs to Know
The 2026 US tariff reset slashed import costs after IEEPA was struck down. See how the new 10% Section 122 tariff changes your landed costs.
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