FOB cost estimator and landed cost worksheet

Use this worksheet to turn a China FOB quote into a buyer-side landed cost estimate before you shortlist a vehicle.

Last reviewed: 2026-06-14

Use the worksheet before comparing cars

FOB price is only one layer of a used car import budget. The car still needs freight, insurance, destination clearance, local charges and sometimes registration or inland movement. This worksheet helps you compare those layers using your own numbers, without pretending that destination taxes can be guessed from China.

Start with a specific vehicle from current stock or a live sourcing quote. Then ask your freight side and local broker for the missing buyer-side numbers. If you have not done this before, read the full total landed cost guide first, then use the calculator below.

FOB to landed cost worksheet

Enter your own quote, freight and broker-confirmed rates. Empty fields are treated as zero.

Worksheet

China-side and route numbers

FOB price from China Vehicle ready at the agreed China loading port

Ocean freight estimate Container, RoRo or route quote to destination port

Marine insurance Enter amount, or leave blank if quoted separately

Broker-confirmed import numbers

Import duty rate Use the rate your customs broker confirms

VAT or sales tax rate Use the local tax rate for this vehicle

Calculate VAT or sales tax on vehicle value plus duty. Untick only if your broker tells you the tax base is different.

Destination-side charges

Port, broker and clearance charges Local release, handling and clearance items

Inland transport and registration Delivery from port, inspection, plates or similar items

Other confirmed local charges Only add charges your broker or agent has named

Estimated landed total $0

Customs value base$0
Estimated duty$0
Estimated VAT / tax$0
Local charges entered$0
Landed / FOB ratio-

Enter a firm FOB price first. Use broker-confirmed local numbers before making a buying decision.

Ask about this estimate

What this estimator can and cannot do

The worksheet can help you compare scenarios. For example, it can show whether a larger-engine SUV still makes sense after broker-confirmed duty and tax, or whether a lower-FOB sedan becomes more attractive after freight and local charges are added. It is also useful when you are comparing container vs RoRo shipping and need one place to put both route estimates.

The worksheet cannot replace a customs broker. Destination duty, VAT, excise, port charges, clearance procedures, inspection and registration are controlled locally. A China exporter can give you a firm FOB quote and help with export documents, but your broker must confirm the destination-side calculation for the exact vehicle.

How to collect the right numbers

Use this order when filling the worksheet:

Choose a specific vehicle. A generic listing is not enough. Use a VIN-level quote from stock or a sourced vehicle.
Confirm FOB terms. Check that the quote is for the agreed China loading port under FOB terms.
Ask for a freight estimate. Route availability changes, so use a current estimate for your destination port.
Give your broker the vehicle data. They may need VIN, year evidence, engine size, fuel type, customs value, invoice wording and destination use.
Enter broker-confirmed rates and charges. Add duty, VAT, port handling, broker charges, inland transport and registration only when someone local has confirmed them.
Compare models on the same basis. If you use this worksheet for three cars, use the same assumptions unless your broker gives different rules for a specific vehicle.

For payment sequence and document control, pair this worksheet with our guide on paying a Chinese car exporter safely and the export document set.

Exporter-side insight: keep three columns separate

From our side of the desk, the cleanest landed-cost discussions keep three columns separate: firm exporter numbers, route estimates, and broker-confirmed destination numbers. Problems start when those columns are mixed into one round figure before the vehicle is chosen.

For a sourcing order, we first confirm the buyer's target country, vehicle type and route. Then we select a vehicle that fits the local rule. If a broker says a country charges very differently for engine size, age, EVs or hybrids, we change the sourcing brief before the deposit stage.

This is also why a cheap FOB price is not automatically the best deal. A vehicle with a slightly higher FOB quote can be easier to clear, easier to register, easier to service and cheaper after all local numbers are entered.

Turn the estimate into a sourcing brief

Once your worksheet is filled, send us the vehicle target and the numbers that came from your broker. We do not need private margin details or your resale plan. We do need practical sourcing filters:

destination country and port;
preferred model, year range and fuel type;
maximum engine size if your broker flags one;
whether the vehicle is for personal use, fleet use or resale;
route preference, if your broker already has one;
any age, steering, inspection or registration restriction.

With those inputs, we can shortlist vehicles that match the real landed-cost logic instead of only chasing the lowest visible FOB quote. Browse current stock or send your worksheet through WhatsApp when you are ready to compare live units.

Frequently asked questions

Is this FOB cost estimator an official customs calculation?

No. It is a worksheet for comparing vehicles before you commit. It helps you combine a China FOB quote, freight estimate and your broker's duty, VAT and local charge numbers. Your destination customs authority and local customs broker remain the only reliable source for final import charges, clearance rules and registration fees.

Which numbers should I ask Whale Autos for?

Ask us for the firm FOB quote for a specific vehicle and, when possible, a current freight estimate to your preferred destination port. We can also provide vehicle data your broker needs, such as VIN, year evidence, engine size, fuel type and shipping document wording. Duty, VAT and local clearance charges must come from your broker.

Why does the same FOB price produce different landed totals?

Many countries calculate duty, VAT or excise using engine size, vehicle age, fuel type, customs value or vehicle category. Two cars with similar FOB prices can land very differently after local taxes and port charges. This is why buyers should estimate landed cost before choosing between a small sedan, large SUV, hybrid or EV.

Can I use this worksheet for container and RoRo shipments?

Yes. Enter the freight estimate for the route you are comparing, whether it is container, RoRo or another broker-approved route. The worksheet does not decide the shipping method by itself. Use it to compare scenarios after checking route availability, destination port handling, insurance, document requirements and the local customs process.

Disclaimer: import regulations change and are applied by the destination country's customs at the time of clearance. The information on this page is general guidance, not legal advice — always confirm current rules with your local customs broker before paying a deposit. Under FOB terms, import compliance and clearance are the buyer's responsibility; we flag obvious issues (such as vehicle age limits) before you commit.