Amazon FBA Logistics Cost Calculator
Calculate the true landed cost for your FBA shipments. Compare sea, air, and express — pick the right method based on your margin, volume, and urgency.
Commands
logistics calc # interactive shipping cost calculator
logistics compare [details] # compare sea vs air vs express
logistics landed [product] # full landed cost breakdown
logistics duty [product] [country] # import duty & VAT calculator
logistics route [origin] [dest] # common shipping route details
logistics timeline # shipping timeline comparison
logistics forwarder # freight forwarder selection guide
logistics carton [dimensions] # carton CBM and chargeable weight
logistics save [shipment] # save shipment profile
What Data to Provide
- Product details — dimensions (cm), weight (kg) per unit and per carton
- Quantity — total units to ship
- Origin — factory location (city/country)
- Destination — Amazon FBA warehouse country/region
- Timeline — how urgently do you need stock?
- Product value — for duty calculation
Shipping Method Comparison
Sea Freight (FCL / LCL)
| Type | When to Use | Transit Time | Cost Estimate |
|---|---|---|---|
| FCL 20ft | >15 CBM, frequent shipper | 25–35 days | $1,500–$3,000/container |
| FCL 40ft | >28 CBM | 25–35 days | $2,500–$5,000/container |
| LCL | <15 CBM, small shipments | 35–45 days | $80–$150/CBM |
Best for: Large shipments, low-margin products, planned inventory restocks Avoid when: Urgent, small shipment, or product is high value/low volume
Air Freight
| Service | Transit Time | Cost Estimate |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Air | 7–14 days | $4–$8/kg |
| Economy Air | 14–21 days | $2.5–$5/kg |
Chargeable weight = max(actual weight, volumetric weight) Volumetric weight = L × W × H (cm) / 6,000
Best for: New product launches, seasonal restocks, high-value low-weight products Avoid when: Heavy/bulky products, cost is main concern
Express Courier (DHL/FedEx/UPS)
| Service | Transit Time | Cost Estimate |
|---|---|---|
| DHL Express | 3–5 days | $8–$15/kg |
| FedEx International | 3–5 days | $8–$15/kg |
| UPS Worldwide | 3–5 days | $8–$15/kg |
Best for: Urgent stock-outs, samples, <50kg shipments Avoid when: >100kg (air freight becomes cheaper)
Landed Cost Formula
Product Cost (COGS) = Unit cost × Quantity
+ Inbound Freight = Shipping method cost
+ Customs Duty = Product value × Duty rate %
+ VAT / Import Tax = (Product + Freight + Duty) × VAT rate %
+ Customs Broker Fee = $150–$300 flat
+ Port/Handling Charges = $50–$200
+ Inland Delivery (to FBA) = $0.50–$2.00/carton
+ Amazon FBA Inbound Placement = $0.27–$1.58/unit (2024 fee)
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Total Landed Cost = Sum of all above
Landed Cost Per Unit = Total ÷ Quantity
Import Duty Rates (US HTS Common Categories)
| Product Category | HS Code Range | US Duty Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Electronics | 8471–8529 | 0–3.7% |
| Clothing/Apparel | 6101–6217 | 12–32% |
| Footwear | 6401–6403 | 20–37.5% |
| Kitchen tools | 7323–7326 | 0–3.9% |
| Toys/Games | 9501–9508 | 0% |
| Sports equipment | 9506 | 4–5.1% |
| Furniture | 9401–9403 | 0–7% |
| Yoga mats/Fitness | 3926/9506 | 4–5.3% |
Note: Section 301 China tariffs add 7.5–25% on many Chinese-origin products. Always verify current rates at USITC.gov.
Shipping Timeline Planner
Work backwards from your target in-stock date:
Target in-stock date: [Date]
- FBA receiving buffer: -7 days
- Port to FBA transit: -3 days
- Customs clearance: -5 days (sea) / -2 days (air)
- Transit time: -30 days (sea) / -10 days (air)
- Export customs/loading: -5 days
- Production lead time: -[X] days
────────────────────────────────────────
Order placement date: [Calculated]
Decision Framework: Which Method to Choose?
| Scenario | Recommended Method |
|---|---|
| First shipment, <200kg | Air freight or Express |
| Regular restock, >500kg, >30 days lead time | Sea LCL |
| Large seller, >15 CBM per shipment | Sea FCL |
| Running out of stock, <2 weeks | Express (DHL/FedEx) |
| High-value, low-weight product | Air freight |
| Low-margin, heavy product | Sea freight only |
| Seasonal launch (e.g., Christmas stock) | Sea: ship by Oct 1 |
Carton Optimization Tips
- Keep carton weight under 23kg (FBA requirement, safety)
- Standard carton size for FBA: 60×40×40cm (1 CBM = 25 cartons)
- Maximize carton fill to minimize LCL costs
- Match master carton quantity to FBA box limits (no more than 150 units/box for standard)
Freight Forwarder Selection Criteria
| Factor | What to Look For |
|---|---|
| Amazon FBA experience | Must know FBA label requirements |
| US customs broker | In-house or established partner |
| Tracking system | Real-time shipment visibility |
| Communication | English-speaking, responsive |
| Price | Get 3+ quotes, compare apples-to-apples |
| Insurance | Cargo insurance included or available |
Recommended: Always get quotes from at least 3 forwarders
Output Format
- Cost Comparison Table — sea vs. air vs. express for your shipment
- Recommended Method — best option with reasoning
- Full Landed Cost Breakdown — every line item to final unit cost
- Timeline — ship-by date based on your target in-stock date
- Red Flags — duty risks, seasonal surcharges, FBA restrictions