Importing from Alibaba to New Zealand: what it really costs per unit
The price on an Alibaba listing is the start of your cost, not the end. For example, 1,000 LED desk lamps listed at US$2.00 each land in Christchurch at about NZ$5.84 each once freight, the customs levy, GST and payment fees are added. Here is how to work it out before you order.
Step 1: read the price breaks properly
Listings show tiered prices (for example US$2.00 for 100 to 2,999 pieces and US$1.80 from 3,000). Pick the quantity you can actually sell, not the lowest price. Ask the supplier whether the price is FOB (delivered to the port in China, the usual basis for importers), EXW (at their factory) or CIF (freight to NZ included).
Step 2: get the packed size and weight
Freight is charged on how much space and weight your goods take, not on their price. Ask for the packed size and gross weight of one carton, and how many units are in it. A listing’s “package size” is often the single-unit pack, so confirm the master-carton details before you rely on it. Without them any freight number is a guess.
Step 3: add the landed-cost layers
Worked example: 1,000 LED desk lamps, US$2.00 each (US$2,000 FOB), packed to about 6 m³ and 650 kg, shipped LCL from Ningbo to a Christchurch door.
| Layer | Total | Per unit |
|---|---|---|
| Product | NZ$3,509 | NZ$3.51 |
| Freight, port, delivery, levy and payment fees | NZ$1,578 | NZ$1.58 |
| Duty (0% with China origin) | NZ$0 | NZ$0.00 |
| GST (15%) | NZ$755 | NZ$0.76 |
| Landed cost | NZ$5,842 | NZ$5.84 |
The product is only about 60% of the landed cost. If you are GST-registered, your cost drops to NZ$5.09 per unit.
Step 4: check the margin
Divide your expected selling price (excluding GST if you are registered) by the landed cost per unit. Allow for returns, marketplace fees and advertising on top. The ClearLane Alibaba calculator does the landed-cost part and shows your profit per unit if you enter a selling price.
Supplier checks worth doing
- Order a sample first and check it matches the listing.
- Use Alibaba’s Trade Assurance or another protected payment route for the first order.
- Ask for a commercial invoice that lists each product with quantity and unit price. It is what Customs and your broker work from.
- Ask for evidence the goods are made in China, which keeps duty at 0%.
- Check labelling, electrical safety and any product standards that apply in New Zealand before you ship.
What about small orders under NZ$1,000?
Customs does not collect duty or GST on goods worth NZ$1,000 or less, but a low-value goods levy applies and the overseas seller may add GST at checkout. For freight shipments it is usually the fixed charges that dominate, so per-unit costs on tiny orders are high. See import duty, GST and levies explained.
Paste a listing link and see freight, duty, GST and cost per unit.
Open the Alibaba calculatorQuestions
Does Alibaba’s price include shipping to NZ?
Usually not. Most prices are FOB or EXW, which means freight, NZ port charges, delivery, duty and GST are all extra.
How do I find out the carton size and weight?
Ask the supplier for the master carton dimensions, gross weight and units per carton. Listings often show only the single-unit package.
Is it cheaper to ship Alibaba orders by air?
Air is faster but costs much more per kilogram. For anything bulky or heavy, sea freight (LCL) is usually far cheaper per unit.