Enter logistics data
Use consistent currency and distance units across all fields.
Example data table
| Example Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Shipments | 60 |
| Distance per shipment | 280.00 |
| Freight rate per distance unit | $1.40 |
| Vehicle utilization | 82.00% |
| Total logistics cost | $50,704.49 |
| Cost per shipment | $845.07 |
| Cost per unit | $8.45 |
| Largest cost driver | Transport Cost |
Formula used
Distance per shipment × Freight rate per distance unit
Base transport cost × (100 ÷ Vehicle utilization %)
Utilization-adjusted transport × Fuel surcharge %
Inventory value per shipment × Monthly carrying rate % × (Warehouse days ÷ 30)
Return rate % × Return processing cost
Transport + Warehouse + Labor + Packaging + Insurance + Inventory carrying + Customs + Handling + Last-mile + Returns reserve + Miscellaneous
Subtotal per shipment × Administrative overhead %
(Subtotal per shipment + Overhead per shipment) × Number of shipments
Cost per unit = Total logistics cost ÷ Total units
Cost per weight unit = Total logistics cost ÷ Total weight
Cost per distance unit = Total logistics cost ÷ Total distance
Delivered cost per unit = Inventory value per unit + Cost per unit
How to use this calculator
- Enter the shipment count for the analysis period.
- Add units, weight, and distance using consistent units.
- Input freight, fuel, warehousing, labor, packaging, and insurance values.
- Enter inventory value and carrying rate to reflect storage-related capital cost.
- Add customs, handling, last-mile, returns, overhead, and miscellaneous amounts.
- Click Analyze Costs to display results above the form.
- Review the summary table and breakdown table to identify major cost drivers.
- Use the CSV or PDF buttons to save the analysis for reporting or comparison.
FAQs
1. What does this calculator measure?
It estimates total logistics cost for an analysis period and breaks it into transport, storage, labor, handling, insurance, returns, and overhead components.
2. Why is vehicle utilization included?
Low vehicle utilization spreads fixed movement cost across fewer loaded units. That usually raises the effective transport cost per shipment.
3. Can I use miles instead of kilometers?
Yes. Use any distance unit you prefer, but keep the freight rate and all distance inputs in the same unit for valid results.
4. What is delivered cost per unit?
It adds logistics cost per unit to inventory value per unit. This helps estimate the full delivered value attached to each sold unit.
5. Why is inventory carrying cost time-based?
Inventory ties up capital while stock sits in storage. Longer warehouse time increases carrying cost, even when transport activity stays unchanged.
6. Should customs be included for domestic moves?
Not usually. For domestic operations, leave customs at zero unless your workflow includes similar clearance or regulatory processing charges.
7. What is the returns reserve used for?
It estimates expected reverse-logistics expense by multiplying return probability with the average cost to process one returned shipment.
8. When should I export CSV or PDF?
Export results when comparing scenarios, preparing budget reviews, sharing assumptions, or documenting changes in routing, utilization, or storage strategy.