Gain full financial visibility before you finalize your Taobao agent order.
When shopping through a Taobao agent like BaseTao, the final cost consists of more than just the listed item price. To avoid surprises, savvy buyers use a custom spreadsheet to calculate the Total Landed Cost—the complete amount paid from product price to delivery at your door. This guide walks you through the essential formulas and columns needed for an accurate estimate.
1. Setting Up Your Spreadsheet Structure
Create the following column headers in your spreadsheet (e.g., Excel, Google Sheets):
| Column | Purpose |
|---|---|
| A: Item Link | URL of the product. |
| B: Item Name/Description | Brief description for reference. |
| C: Item Price (CNY) | Product price in Chinese Yuan. |
| D: Quantity | Number of units. |
| E: Domestic Shipping (CNY) | Seller-to-warehouse shipping fee. |
| F: Subtotal (CNY) | Line total for the item. |
| G: Estimated Weight (kg) | Your best guess of the item's weight. |
| H: Notes | For size, color, or agent instructions. |
2. Core Calculation Formulas
Item Subtotal (Column F)
This calculates the total cost for each line item, including domestic shipping.
Example: An item priced at ¥150 with a quantity of 2 and ¥10 domestic shipping gives: (150*2)+10 = ¥310.
Total Product Cost (CNY)
This is the sum of all subtotals—your total spend at the agent's warehouse.
International Shipping Estimate
First, sum the estimated weight of all items:
Then, calculate the shipping cost using your agent's rate (e.g., ¥95/kg for a specific line). Apply a buffer (e.g., 15%) for packing weight.
Example: 5kg total weight, with a 15% buffer, at ¥95/kg: (5 * 1.15) * 95 = ¥546.25.
3. Calculating the Final Total in Your Currency
Combine all costs and convert to your currency (e.g., USD, EUR) using a live exchange rate or a conservative estimate.
Total Cost in CNY
Total Cost in Your Currency
Pro Tip:
Financial Visibility Before Payment
By maintaining this spreadsheet, you turn a complex international purchase into a transparent, manageable process. You can:
- Compare true costs
- Adjust your cart
- Budget accurately
- Track discrepancies
- Adjust your cart
In essence, this simple spreadsheet acts as your personal financial dashboard for cross-border shopping, ensuring you shop with confidence and complete control over your spending.