Scenario
A seller wants to import 300 backpacks. Supplier A quotes $8.80 FOB, while Supplier B quotes $10.20 DDP. The DDP quote looks higher, but it may include freight and some delivery assumptions that need to be separated.
Compare supplier offers by landed cost and profit per unit, not by the visible unit price alone.
Cost stack to model
- Factory unit cost and packaging cost
- International freight, which can rise quickly when cartons are bulky
- Base duty and any additional tariff scenario
- Inspection and brokerage if you are not using a fully managed DDP lane
- Marketplace referral fee, fulfillment cost, returns, and launch ads
Common mistake
Many sellers compare a DDP quote against an FOB quote without adding the missing freight, brokerage, domestic delivery, and duty assumptions to the FOB side.
Decision rule
If a DDP quote is far below your own landed-cost model, ask what HTS code, declared value, shipping lane, delivery service, and importer responsibilities the supplier assumed.
Compare backpack supplier quotes
This example is for planning only. Confirm classification, duty, importer responsibility, and shipment terms with official sources or a qualified customs broker.