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First-Mile Freight Calculator
Enter cartons, dimensions, weight and current lane rates. The calculator bills LCL by cubic metre with a minimum, air and express by the greater of actual and volumetric weight, then compares DDP and DAP with duty and import VAT.
One shipment, three modes
The same cartons can move by sea LCL, air or express, but the billing basis differs. LCL is charged per cubic metre with a minimum; air and express are charged on the greater of actual and volumetric weight. The calculator shows the billed quantity for each mode so the comparison is like for like.
Use the per-unit DDP figure, not the headline freight rate, to decide. A mode that looks expensive per kilogram can still win on a small, light shipment once fixed charges are spread over few units.
DDP and DAP change who pays at the border
Under DDP the seller pays freight, duty and import VAT. Under DAP the seller pays freight and the importer pays duty and VAT at the border. The calculator shows both sides so a delivered price can be compared with an ex-border price without mixing the two.
Import VAT is shown as cash paid at import. A VAT-registered importer may recover it, which changes the economics even though the cash still leaves the account first.
Batteries are a lane decision
Products with lithium batteries need the right UN number, a UN38.3 test summary and an MSDS, and the carrier must accept the goods on that lane. A power bank shipped alone is UN3480; a battery inside a device is usually UN3481. Some air carriers refuse standalone batteries entirely.
The calculator adds a separate battery line: a per-kilogram surcharge for air and express, and a per-shipment surcharge for sea. Confirm the real surcharge and acceptance with the forwarder before booking.
What the estimate leaves out
The result excludes insurance, demurrage, storage, last-mile delivery, inspection and any rework at the fulfilment centre. Rates expire quickly. Treat the output as a planning model and replace the rate inputs with the current written quote before committing a purchase order.
The duty rate is a single input, not a classification. Confirm the HS code and the destination duty rate before relying on the DDP total.
First-mile freight — all entries
Every entry links to its full reference page. The search box above filters this list.
Frequently asked questions
Why is the air cost higher than rate × actual weight?
Air and express bill the greater of actual and volumetric weight. The calculator shows both; if volumetric weight is higher, the chargeable weight is the volumetric figure. Fuel and dangerous-goods surcharges are separate inputs.
What does DDP mean in this calculator?
DDP means the seller pays freight, origin and destination fees, duty and import VAT. DAP means the seller pays freight and fees, while the importer pays duty and import VAT at the border. Both are shown separately.
Can I use this for a full container?
Not directly. FCL is priced per container and lane, not per cubic metre. Use the CBM calculator to size the load, then compare an FCL quote with the LCL result.
Why is LCL more expensive than CBM × rate?
LCL has a minimum volume and fixed origin and destination charges. On small shipments those fixed costs can exceed the freight line.
Is import VAT a real cost?
It is cash paid at import. A VAT-registered importer can usually recover it, so the economic cost can be lower than the DDP total shown.
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