August 23, 2026 · Import & Logistics

How to Calculate Landed Cost for Toy Imports from China (2026 Calculator)

By King Squishy Sourcing Team · Updated August 2026

Quick Answer: Landed cost = FOB price + ocean freight + customs duty + insurance + port fees. For a typical squishy toy order (48 pcs, ~.50/pc FOB Yiwu), the total landed cost to the US is roughly .75-.10 per piece depending on shipping method and order size. King Squishy’s DDP service rolls all of this into one price so you never have to calculate it yourself.

What is landed cost?

Landed cost is the total price of your goods delivered to your door — not just the factory price. It includes every dollar from the moment the product leaves the factory in Yiwu until it arrives at your warehouse, office, or Amazon fulfillment center.

Most new importers focus only on the FOB (Free On Board) price and are shocked when the final invoice arrives. Understanding landed cost helps you:

Set accurate retail prices — know your true cost before marking up
Compare suppliers fairly — a lower FOB price with expensive shipping may cost more overall
Avoid margin surprises — no hidden fees eating into your profit

The landed cost formula

Landed Cost = FOB Price + Freight + Duty + Insurance + Port Fees + Customs Broker

Let us break down each component:

1. FOB Price (Factory Gate)

The price the manufacturer charges to get the goods to the port of departure (usually Ningbo for Yiwu suppliers). This is what most quotes show.

Component	Included in FOB?	Notes
Product cost	Yes	Materials + labor + factory overhead
Inner packaging	Yes	Individual poly bag or box
Carton packing	Yes	Standard export cartons
Factory to port	Yes	Truck from Yiwu to Ningbo port
Export customs	Yes	China-side export clearance
Ocean/air freight	No	Charges separately
Import duty	No	Based on HS code + country
Insurance	No	Optional but recommended

2. Ocean Freight (or Air Freight)

The cost to ship from Ningbo/Shanghai to your destination port. This varies by volume, destination, and speed:

Method	Transit	Cost	Best For
Sea LCL	20-30 days	-/CBM	Small orders
Sea FCL 20ft	18-25 days	,800-,800	Medium orders
Sea FCL 40ft	18-25 days	,500-,000	Large orders
Air freight	3-5 days	-/kg	Urgent/samples

3. Import Duty (Customs Tax)

Your government charges a percentage based on the product HS code. Most squishy and fidget toys fall under HS 9503:

US: 0% duty (most toys duty-free under MFN rates)
EU: 4.7% duty rate
UK: 4.7% duty rate
Australia: 5% duty rate

4. Insurance

Marine cargo insurance costs 0.3-0.5% of the CIF value. For a ,000 shipment, that is about -. Cheap protection against cargo damage.

5. Port Fees and Customs Broker

Port handling: –
Customs broker: –
Documentation: –

Worked examples

Example 1: Small order (48 pcs, US West Coast)

Component	Amount	Per Piece
FOB (48 x .50)	.00	.50
Sea LCL freight	.00	.17
Import duty (0% US)	.00	.00
Insurance	.50	.01
Port + broker	.00	.21
Total landed cost	.50	.89

Example 2: Bulk order (2,000 pcs, 40ft container, US West Coast)

Component	Amount	Per Piece
FOB (2,000 x .42)	.00	.42
Sea FCL 40ft	,200.00	.60
Import duty (0%)	.00	.00
Insurance	.00	.003
Port + broker	.00	.20
Total landed cost	,446.00	.22

Notice how per-piece cost drops from .89 to .22 with volume. That is the power of economies of scale.

5 common mistakes importers make

Only comparing FOB prices — Supplier A at .50 FOB with expensive shipping may cost more than Supplier B at .60 FOB with cheap shipping. Always calculate total landed cost.
Forgetting port fees — The – customs broker and – port handling add up fast on small orders.
Ignoring insurance — A fee on a ,000 shipment is cheap peace of mind.
Wrong HS code — Using the wrong code can result in wrong duty rates or seizure. Certified suppliers provide correct HS codes.
Not factoring in packaging upgrades — Custom boxes, labels, and inserts add .05-.30/piece but are often quoted separately.

How King Squishy DDP makes it simple

With DDP (Delivered Duty Paid), you get one price per piece that includes everything:

Product cost
Packaging
Ocean freight to your door
Import duties and taxes
Port handling and customs clearance
Final delivery to your warehouse

No surprises. No hidden fees. Request a DDP quote and see the difference.

Quick reference: cost breakdown by percentage

Component	% of Landed Cost	How to Reduce
FOB (product)	35-50%	Negotiate volume pricing
Freight	25-40%	Order more per shipment
Duty	0-5%	Check HS code and FTA
Port + Broker	5-15%	Consolidate, use DDP
Insurance	less than 1%	Do not skip it

Ready to get a real number?

Send us your product list and get a landed-cost quote within 24 hours.

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About the Author

The King Squishy Sourcing Team works daily with squishy and fidget toy production lines in China. Questions about this guide? Request a landed-cost quote or browse the full catalog.