This is not a price list. It rebuilds one shipment line by line — goods, freight, insurance, duty, additional measures, import tax and local charges — so you can see which line drives the total. For context, this product family carries a planning duty band of 0%–3.9% into the US. The sample below holds the product, condition and origin constant and compares three borders.
The worked sample
300 new electronics moving from China with $18,000 FOB value. Each line is modelled separately, so you can see where the money goes.
China → the US · new electronics · 300 units
| Cost line | Amount | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| FOB goods value | $18,000 | User provided |
| International freight (LCL) | $1,215 | Estimated |
| Cargo insurance | $86 | Estimated |
| Customs duty (2.6% × CIF) | $502 | Rule-based |
| Additional measures | $1,448 | Rule-based |
| Import VAT / GST (0%) | $0 | Rule-based |
| Statutory fees | $91 | Rule-based |
| Clearance, port, inland, docs | $1,130 | Estimated |
| Estimated landed total | $22,472 | $75 / unit |
Sample generated with engine 2026.11.1 and data reviewed 2026-11-01. It is not a quote, a classification or a customs ruling.
Same goods, three borders
Duty, import tax and additional measures differ by destination even when the goods and origin do not. This is the comparison to run before choosing an entry point.
| Border | Duty band | VAT / GST | Additional measure | Sample landed | Per unit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US | 0%–3.9% | None | Section 301 tariff (China-origin) | $22,472 | $75 |
| UAE | 5% | 5% | None modelled | $21,631 | $72 |
| Saudi Arabia | 5% | 15% | None modelled | $23,979 | $80 |
All three runs use the same goods value, quantity, packing density and sea mode. A real shipment will diverge on compliance, freight and local delivery.
What moves this number
- Function-based classification
- Wireless type approval
- Lithium battery handling
- Safety certification
- Value density and mode
Function determines classification, not the fact that the item contains a circuit board. Multi-function devices need care. FCC, CE/UKCA, RoHS and battery transport rules may apply. Lithium batteries can change freight options and documentation.
Industry-specific parameters to set
These are the fields that change a electronics estimate. Set them in the calculator rather than applying a generic average.
| Parameter | Set it to | Why it moves the landed cost |
|---|---|---|
| Product function | What the device does, not what it is called | Function decides the HS line. A power supply, a controller and a consumer device can sit in different headings. |
| Radio and wireless | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cellular, licensed bands | Radio equipment needs type approval in most markets. Certification is a launch gate and a cost line. |
| Lithium batteries | Chemistry, Wh rating, packed with or without equipment | Battery shipments are dangerous goods. UN38.3 test reports and packing rules change freight options and cost. |
| Safety certification | UL, CE, UKCA, SASO or equivalent | Compliance testing is separate from duty and can delay a launch. Budget it before the first shipment. |
| Value density | Value per kg and per CBM | High value-density goods justify air; low value-density goods should go by sea. The freight mode can outweigh the duty band. |
| Returns and warranty | Defect rate, RMA process, spare units | Returns are a real cost that customs does not model. Include them when comparing a DDP price to your own landed cost. |
Parameter effects are explained qualitatively; no rate is invented for a product line the data does not support. Run the estimate with your own values before committing to a DDP price.
Common questions
What is the import cost for electronics?
The sample imports 300 new electronics units with an 18,000 USD FOB value from China to the United States. Expected landed cost is $22,472, or $75 per unit, before certification.
How are electronics classified?
By function. The same enclosure can be a power supply, a controller or a consumer device depending on what it does, and that changes the HS line.
Do batteries change the freight cost?
Yes. Lithium batteries are dangerous goods and need tested packaging and declarations. Some carriers and routes will not accept them, which changes both price and schedule.
Why does air freight sometimes make sense?
High value per kilogram means freight is a small share of landed cost, and speed protects margin. Low value-density electronics belong on the water.
What is usually excluded from a DDP quote?
Type approval, safety testing, warranty reserve and e-waste obligations. These stay with the importer in most markets.
Related cost files
Planning estimates only. Duty and tax outcomes depend on the exact HS line, origin, customs valuation, origin rules and measures in force on the date of entry. FOBtoDDP is not a customs broker, freight forwarder or legal adviser. Confirm with a licensed broker before contracting.