Calculator Inputs
Use the fields below to estimate landed wholesale shipping cost. The result appears above this form after submission.
Example Data Table
| Mode | Order Value | Qty | Cartons | Billable Weight | Grand Total | Cost per Unit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Road LTL | $18,000.00 | 1,200 | 30 | 630.00 kg | $2,851.63 | $2.38 |
| Air Freight | $9,500.00 | 420 | 14 | 196.00 kg | $1,734.85 | $4.13 |
| Parcel / Courier | $4,800.00 | 160 | 8 | 72.00 kg | $612.24 | $3.83 |
Formula Used
1) Actual weight = Cartons × Weight per carton
2) Volumetric weight = (Cartons × Length × Width × Height) ÷ Volumetric divisor
3) Billable weight = Higher of actual weight and volumetric weight
4) Linehaul cost = Billable weight × Rate per kg × Mode factor
5) Base freight = Higher of (linehaul cost + distance cost) or minimum charge
6) Fuel surcharge = Base freight × Fuel surcharge %
7) Insurance = Order value × Insurance %
8) Duty and taxes = Order value × Duty %
9) Packaging cost = Cartons × Packaging per carton
10) Contingency = Subtotal before contingency × Contingency %
11) Carrier discount = Base freight × Discount %
12) Grand total = Base freight + surcharges + fees + contingency − carrier discount
13) Per-unit cost = Grand total ÷ Order quantity
How to Use This Calculator
- Choose the shipping mode and working currency.
- Enter the order value, order quantity, cartons, and units per carton.
- Fill in carton dimensions and weight per carton.
- Enter commercial rates such as rate per kg, distance rate, and minimum charge.
- Add operational costs including fuel, insurance, duty, handling, packaging, customs, and accessorial fees.
- Use contingency and discount fields to model negotiation buffers and carrier rebates.
- Press Calculate Shipping Cost to display the result above the form.
- Download the finished estimate as CSV or PDF for sharing or records.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Does the calculator use actual weight or dimensional weight?
It uses both. The tool calculates actual weight and volumetric weight, then charges the higher value as billable weight because many freight carriers price shipments that way.
2. Can I use this for wholesale landed cost planning?
Yes. It includes freight, fuel, insurance, duty, packaging, customs, and accessorial charges, so it works well for estimating landed shipping cost before quoting distributors or bulk buyers.
3. What does the volumetric divisor control?
The divisor converts carton volume into chargeable weight. Different carriers and modes use different divisors, so changing it helps you match contract terms or carrier pricing rules.
4. Why is there a minimum charge field?
Many carriers apply a minimum invoice amount even when the calculated freight is lower. This field prevents underestimating small or light wholesale consignments.
5. Should duty and insurance be based on order value?
Often yes. Insurance and duty are commonly estimated as percentages of invoice value. This calculator follows that approach to keep landed cost planning simple and consistent.
6. What is the contingency percentage for?
Contingency adds a risk buffer for variable charges, delays, seasonal surcharges, or rate changes. It helps protect your margin when shipping conditions are uncertain.
7. Can I compare several shipping modes?
Yes. Run the form multiple times with different mode settings, divisors, and rate structures. Then compare the grand total, cost per unit, and shipping percentage of order value.
8. Is the result a final carrier invoice?
No. It is a planning estimate. Final invoices may include contract exceptions, pallet rules, reweigh fees, address corrections, storage, or destination-specific charges.