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Practical guide

Import costs from China: the complete breakdown

The factory price is only the beginning. This guide breaks down every component of the real cost of an import — the landed cost — so you can budget without surprises and compare suppliers on equal terms.

Updated: September 9, 2026

Content prepared by the EC HolaHome team, based on real budgets from operations managed between China and Spain.

1. The total landed cost

The only price comparable across suppliers and scenarios is the total landed cost: what it takes to put the goods in your warehouse, everything paid. Comparing factory prices alone is the most common mistake of first-time importers.

  • Landed cost = factory price + international freight + insurance + duties + import VAT + clearance and handling.
  • Two quotes with the same unit price can differ by 20-30% in total cost due to Incoterm, packaging or real volume.
  • Always budget with a 5-10% contingency margin for delays, extra inspections or freight fluctuations.

2. Factory price and Incoterms

The price you negotiate with the factory depends on the Incoterm: an EXW price (ex works) is not comparable with FOB (on board) or CIF (freight and insurance included).

  • EXW: you take on all transport from the factory gate, including loading and export clearance in China.
  • FOB: the factory delivers the goods on board the vessel; it is the most common Incoterm and the most comparable across quotes.
  • CIF: includes freight and insurance to the destination port, but destination charges (THC, clearance) remain yours.
  • Always request quotes on the same Incoterm so you can actually compare them.

3. International freight and insurance

Ocean freight is the most volatile cost component: it can multiply in tight markets. Quote it when closing each operation, not from historical averages.

  • Full container (FCL) or groupage (LCL): LCL raises the cost per cubic metre and adds handling.
  • On top of freight there are local charges at origin and destination: THC, documentation, handling and delivery.
  • Cargo insurance usually costs a small fraction of the goods' value and covers damage and loss: do not skip it.
  • Air freight multiplies the cost, but can make sense for samples, launches or high-value goods.

4. Duties and import VAT

At Spanish customs two taxes are settled: the duty, which depends on the product's TARIC code, and import VAT, whose general rate is 21%.

  • Duty is applied on the customs value (roughly the CIF value) and varies by product: from 0% to over 10%.
  • Some products of Chinese origin carry additional antidumping duties: verify this before closing the price.
  • Import VAT is calculated on customs value + duty + costs to destination, and is deductible for businesses.
  • The VAT deferral scheme lets you declare it in the monthly return instead of advancing it at customs.

5. The hidden costs nobody budgets for

The difference between a profitable import and a loss usually lies in the costs that do not appear in the first spreadsheet.

  • Laboratory tests, certificates and adapting labelling to European regulations.
  • Factory quality inspections: a small cost that prevents very large losses.
  • Demurrage and port storage if documents arrive late or customs selects the shipment for inspection.
  • Returns, replacements and commercial discounts if the product arrives with defects.
  • Financial cost: the factory deposit and advanced VAT tie up cash for weeks.

6. A worked example and how to calculate it

For a typical operation — one container of medium-value goods — the usual breakdown looks roughly like this:

  • Factory price (FOB): 60-75% of the total cost.
  • Freight, insurance and local charges: 10-20%, depending on market and volume.
  • Duty: according to TARIC; at a 4% rate, roughly 2-3% of the total.
  • Import VAT (21%): deductible, but it must be financed.
  • Clearance, inspections and handling: the remaining 3-8%.

Checklist

Import budget checklist

Check that your budget includes all these items before approving an operation.

  • Factory price on a comparable Incoterm (FOB recommended)
  • Ocean freight quoted to date and local charges at origin and destination
  • International cargo insurance
  • TARIC code confirmed and duty rate verified
  • Possible antidumping duties on the product
  • Import VAT and cash-flow plan (or deferral scheme)
  • Customs clearance fees
  • Testing, certificates, labelling and quality inspections

Frequently asked questions

Common questions about import costs

How much does it cost to import a container from China to Spain?
It depends on the product, the volume and the freight market. As a reference, the freight for a full container can vary widely by season, and you must add local charges, clearance, duties and VAT. The right approach is to calculate the total cost case by case.
Is import VAT a real cost?
For a business with VAT-taxable activity it is deductible, so it is not a final cost. But it is a financial cost: it is advanced at customs and recovered in the return, unless the deferral scheme is applied.
Which is better, FCL or LCL?
From around 13-15 cubic metres a full container (FCL) usually pays off: lower cost per cubic metre, less handling and less risk of damage. Below that, groupage (LCL) is the practical option.
How do I compare quotes from several factories?
Request all quotes on the same Incoterm (ideally FOB), same specification and same quantities, and calculate the full landed cost of each scenario. The cheapest factory quote is rarely the cheapest at destination.

Important note

The percentages and examples in this guide are indicative and do not constitute a quotation. Duty rates, VAT and freight change; always verify current data for your product before closing an operation.

Want a real import budget?

Tell us what product you need and in what quantities, and we will prepare a total-cost calculation with validated suppliers.

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