Landed Cost Estimator

Importers waste hours manually looking up duty rates and itemizing freight, insurance, and taxes - and still worry they missed a cost that kills margin. This estimator extracts all cost inputs from a new shipment intake form, researches current duty rates and freight benchmarks via web search, then computes the total landed cost and margin impact. You get a clear breakdown table with a viability verdict (Viable / Marginal / Unviable) plus key assumptions, ready to review before committing to an order.

Category: Finance

How it works

1. A new shipment intake form arrives with product details, supplier country, HS code, shipping method, and declared value.
2. The assistant extracts every cost component (FOB value, freight, insurance, duties, VAT, brokerage) and web-searches current duty rates and import tax rules for the destination.
3. It calculates the total landed cost and unit landed cost using the code interpreter, then compares it against a target selling price if provided.
4. A landed cost breakdown table is drafted with a viability verdict and key assumptions, ready for your approval before any purchase decision.

Key benefits

• Get accurate duty rates without manual tariff research.
• Know whether a shipment is profitable before you place the order.
• Standardize cost calculations across all your import suppliers.
• Catch hidden costs like brokerage fees and VAT automatically.

Use cases

• Product importers evaluating new SKUs from overseas suppliers.
• Procurement teams assessing landed cost vs. internal budgets.
• E-commerce sellers sourcing inventory from multiple countries.
• Logistics managers comparing shipping routes and port options.

Good to know

Works out of the box - no external connection needed. The assistant drafts the landed cost breakdown; a human approves before any purchase decision is made.

Frequently asked questions

How does the Landed Cost Estimator work?

You submit a form with shipment details (product value, HS code, origin country, shipping method). The assistant extracts costs, web-searches duty rates and taxes, then calculates total landed cost and margin. It drafts a breakdown table for your review.

Do I need to connect any accounts or APIs?

No. The assistant uses built-in web search and a code interpreter. No external integrations are required.

Does it automatically place purchase orders or pay duties?

No. The assistant only drafts a landed cost breakdown and viability verdict. A human must approve before taking any action such as ordering or importing.

What if my shipment has a different HS code or destination?

The assistant searches for duty rates specific to the HS code and destination country you enter on the form. You can change any input and re-run for new scenarios.

Is the viability verdict based on real market data?

The verdict uses your target selling price (if provided) and the calculated total landed cost. Duty rates come from public web sources, but you should verify them with a customs broker for final decisions.