Avoid checkout surprises! Learn how to use the free OrientDig Cost Estimation Spreadsheet to accurately forecast your final expenses for orders from China and other global markets before you commit to payment.
The Hidden Cost Challenge
Shopping directly from international suppliers or platforms like 1688, TaoBao, or AliExpress often means the listed price is just the beginning. Unexpected charges for domestic freight, international shipping, taxes, and fees
Your All-in-One Cost Forecasting Tool
The OrientDig spreadsheet is a customizable calculator designed to break down every potential expense in your supply chain. It turns complex logistics into a simple, fill-in-the-blanks process.
Core Principle:
A Step-by-Step Guide to Using the Spreadsheet
Step 1: Input Product Details
- Unit Price:
- Quantity:
- Product Weight & Dimensions:per-unit**Crucial:** Accurate dimensions directly affect shipping volume weight calculations.
- Quantity:
Step 2: Calculate Domestic Freight (China)
This is the cost from your supplier's warehouse to the international forwarder's warehouse in China.
- Enter the supplier's quoted freight cost, or
- Use the sheet's built-in estimators based on weight/province for a rough idea.
The sheet will split this cost across your total units to find the per-unit
Step 3: Forecast International Shipping
This is often the largest variable. The spreadsheet helps you compare:
| Method | Best For | Key Input |
|---|---|---|
| Express (DHL, UPS, FedEx) | Speed, small packages | Volumetric weight (L*W*H/5000) |
| Air Freight | Faster, larger batches | Chargeable weight (vs. actual weight) |
| Sea Freight (LCL) | High volume, lowest cost | Cubic meters (CBM) of your shipment |
Enter quotes from your forwarder or use the sheet's rate tables (which require periodic updating) to get an estimate. Always factor in insurance (a small percentage of goods value).
Step 4: Account for Duties & Taxes
The spreadsheet will automatically calculate estimated import charges if you:
- Input your country of import.
- Enter the correct HS code
- Specify your local sales tax rate
It then applies the duty rate to the Cost + Insurance + Freight (CIF)
Step 5: Analyze Your Final Dashboard
The summary section automatically compiles all inputs to show you:
- Total Landed Cost:
- Cost Per Unit:
- Cost Breakdown (%):
- “What-If” Scenarios:
- Cost Per Unit:
Pro Tips for Accurate Estimates
- Update Currency Rates:
- Buffer for Unexpected:
- Validate with Forwarders:
- Document Every Quote:
- Buffer for Unexpected:
Checkout with Confidence
By investing a few minutes with the OrientDig spreadsheet before
Forecast first, fund second.