Landed-cost resource

DDP sourcing checklist for custom signs from China.

Do not compare factory price with delivered market price. Build one landed-cost view from product, packing, freight, import handling and destination delivery.

Landed-cost components

ComponentWhy it matters
Factory productMaterial, process and finish must match the approved specification.
Protective packingLarge letters can be volumetric; premium plaques need surface protection.
International freightCourier, air and ocean economics change rapidly with size and urgency.
Import handlingDuty, tax and brokerage depend on destination and product classification.
Final deliveryRemote-area charges and site restrictions can affect the last mile.
Risk reserveCustom production and project deadlines justify a controlled commercial buffer.

When DDP is especially useful

DDP is commercially useful when the buyer wants one comparable delivered number and the logistics provider can support the destination reliably. It is not automatically the best incoterm for every large project, tax structure or trade customer.

Questions before accepting a DDP quote

Quote the decision the buyer actually faces

Give us the product dimensions and destination postcode so factory and logistics cost can be evaluated together.

Get a delivered-price path