Importing from China to India? Start With the Landed Cost, Not the Factory Price

The cheapest factory is not always the cheapest import A product at 10 RMB can be a better buy than one at 8 RMB if the quality, packing, compliance and freight work better. This is why experienced importers compare landed cost, not only factory price. ## What goes into landed cost The exact calculation depends on the shipment, but commercially you may need to consider the goods value, applicable customs duties and taxes, China-side transport, international freight, clearance-related costs, handling and final delivery. ## Why duty cannot be treated as one generic percentage Different tariff classifications can carry different duty structures. Country of origin and notifications can also matter. That is why the official ICEGATE system works from tariff classification rather than one flat percentage for every import. ## Why packing matters For air freight, chargeable weight can change the economics quickly. For sea freight, CBM and local charges matter. A factory that uses unnecessarily large cartons can make a low product price less attractive. ## Our preference: show the maths Our calculator philosophy is simple: product and HS code first, applicable duty next, freight and service costs after that. The client should be able to see how the estimate was built. Final duty and clearance remain subject to the actual goods, documents, valuation, notifications and Customs assessment. > [!TIP] > **Action Step**: Send us your supplier PI or product requirement and we can help you look at the full commercial picture, not only the factory price. ## Helpful Resources & Official Links - ICEGATE Import Trade Guide - ICEGATE Customs Duty Calculator - LCL Global Sourcing & Import Services