Don’t Be Fooled by the Per-Unit Price
You got $0.29 per pouch—great. But your final is 40% higher. What changed? See the full pricing breakdown to understand the drivers behind landed cost.
Cost Per Unit vs. Total Cost: What You Need to Watch
The lowest unit price can still yield the highest total invoice. Here’s how to model true landed cost.
ESTIMATE MY PROJECT COST
Unit Cost vs. Total Cost: What’s the Difference?
| Cost Type | What It Includes |
|---|---|
| Unit Cost | Per-piece price by spec, features, and volume |
| Total Cost | Unit cost + setup/plates, tooling, freight, duties, taxes, insurance, drayage |
Plan off totals, not just the sticker.
The Hidden Costs That Inflate Your Final Price
- Setup fees and print plates/cylinders
- Custom tooling/dies for shaped or special sizes
- International freight + domestic drayage
- Duties, tariffs, taxes; currency movement
Context: compare these against the pillar cost guide.
Real Example: The “$0.25 Pouch” That Landed at $0.45+
| Cost Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Per-Unit Pouch Cost | $0.25 |
| Flexo Plates (4 colors) | $600 |
| Ocean Freight | $1,200 |
| Import Duty (5%) | $500 |
| Local Trucking | $350 |
On 10,000 units, landed > $0.45 each—plus delay risk. Use our calculator for apples-to-apples totals.
How to Get an Accurate Cost Picture
Ask if the price is FOB or landed, what’s included, timeline choices, and for a similar past invoice. Then validate against the complete breakdown.
Final Thought: Smart Buyers Think in Totals
Unit price is the headline; landed cost is the story. Model both before you commit.
