How do I budget for annual import costs?

An annual import budget must forecast total FOB spend, projected variable freight costs, estimated total duties (including potential Section 301 increases), and customs brokerage fees based on predicted shipment frequency.

💰 Product Costing

Annual Import Budget Calculator

Use our annual import budget calculator. Plan your annual import budget from China. Model costs across multiple products, shipments, duty categories, and freight modes.

Updated: 2026-04-13

Planning Reference

Inputs Last Reviewed April 2026

Reference Basis

Built from current calculator assumptions plus typical import cost benchmarks used by China sourcing teams.

Planning Note

Use this to pressure-test margin and landed cost. Final profitability still depends on your freight quote, duty classification, and downstream selling costs.

Primary opportunity

annual import budget calculator
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Average Order Value (FOB) USD Average FOB value per purchase order.

Number of Orders Per Year orders How many separate purchase orders/shipments per year.

Average Duty Rate % Blended duty rate across your products (HTS + Section 301). Check hts.usitc.gov for your codes.

Freight as % of FOB % International freight cost as % of FOB. Sea freight: 8–15%. Air freight: 25–40%.

Broker & Port Fees Per Shipment USD Customs broker fee + ISF filing + AMS + port handling per shipment. Typical: $200–500.

Annual Import Financial Planning

A robust annual import budget models out your projected landed costs over the year. It must include contingencies for Peak Season Surcharges (which occur from late summer through early winter) and General Rate Increases (GRIs) implemented by ocean carriers. Failure to budget for these seasonal shifts can obliterate Q4 profit margins.

Tips for China Importers

Never compare suppliers by FOB price alone. A supplier $0.50 cheaper on FOB can easily be more expensive once freight, duty, and compliance differences are factored in. Always compare landed cost.
Include platform fees in your landed cost model. Amazon FBA referral + fulfillment fees total 30–40% of your selling price. If that's your channel, it must be in your cost calculation from day one.
Add a 15% cost contingency for your first import. First-time importers consistently underestimate costs — unexpected charges like detention fees, inspection costs, or currency moves routinely add 10–20%.
Calculate break-even units before ordering. Know exactly how many units you must sell to cover your landed cost and fixed overheads. If break-even is more than 60% of your order, the risk is too high.
Recalculate on every reorder. Freight rates, duty rates, and supplier prices all change. A cost model from 6 months ago can be meaningfully wrong. Always recalculate before committing to a new order.