What makes up the landed cost of custom outdoor clothing?
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- Issue Time
- Nov 6,2026
Comparing factories on FOB price alone is the most common sourcing mistake, because two quotes with a 10% FOB gap can invert once duty and logistics are added. Landed cost per garment:
Landed cost = FOB unit price + sea/air freight + cargo insurance + import duty + customs clearance + inland transport + testing/compliance costs
- FOB unit price: fabric consumption, trims, labour, overhead and margin. Driven by fabric weight, layer count (2L/2.5L/3L), seam taping coverage and functional features.
- Freight: sea is cheapest but slowest (Europe ~30-40 days, US West Coast ~15-25 days); air and express multiply cost - plan by order size.
- Insurance: typically a small fraction of CIF value, covered in our cargo insurance FAQ.
- Import duty: depends on HS classification and fabric composition - waterproof jackets, insulated garments and fleece each carry different rates in the EU and US.
- Clearance and inland: broker fees, port charges, delivery to your warehouse.
- Testing: third-party inspection and market-specific test reports if you require them.
Two practical levers: ordering mixed styles into one consolidation lowers per-unit freight, and fabric choices that shift HS classification can change duty rates - worth checking before you finalise the bill of materials.