The planning formula
Keep cash requirement separate. Recoverable import VAT may be excluded from economic cost while remaining material to working capital.
Normalize before calculating
- Same product specification, grade, finish, dimensions, and tolerances
- Same quantity and unit of measure
- Same packaging and loading pattern
- Explicit Incoterm and named place
- Same final delivery point and unloading assumption
- Current classification and origin assumptions
Common omissions
Destination charges
Terminal handling, documentation, storage, demurrage, inspection, and appointment costs may sit outside a supplier's freight figure.
Container utilization
Heavy, long, fragile, or irregular materials can make cost per unit depend more on packaging and loading than headline freight.
Compliance rework
Testing, relabeling, missing declarations, or rejected documentation can erase a factory-price advantage.
Schedule cost
A cheaper route can still be the worse commercial result when it causes stockouts or project delay.
Use the model
Start with the free construction-material landed-cost calculator. For a supplier or origin decision, see the European landed-cost analysis service and the worked rebar example.
Primary sources
Official sources used to frame the guidance. Check the current product and transaction before acting.
Compare your real specification and destination
Use a transparent cost model, or request a source-backed supplier and route comparison for one construction product.