A wholesale quotation can look precise and still be misleading. One supplier quotes FOB, another quotes CIF, a third quotes a door-to-door price that includes some fees but not others. Without a common basis, the cheapest-looking number is often the most expensive after import.
This guide explains the three pricing bases and gives a practical formula for comparing sex doll wholesale quotes.
FOB: Free On Board
Under FOB, the supplier delivers the goods on board the vessel at the named port. The buyer arranges and pays for international freight, insurance, import clearance and delivery.
- Advantages: transparent product price, full control of logistics, often cheaper if you have a good forwarder.
- Requirements: you need an importer, freight forwarder and customs process.
- Watch out for: local charges at origin, which may be billed separately.
CIF: Cost, Insurance and Freight
CIF means the supplier pays for cost, insurance and freight to the destination port. It does not normally include import duties, taxes, port handling or last-mile delivery.
- Advantages: simpler for buyers without a forwarder.
- Requirements: you still handle import clearance and delivery.
- Watch out for: the insurance level and the exact destination port; "CIF" quotes can vary widely.
Landed cost: the number that matters
Landed cost is the total cost of getting one unit into your warehouse, ready to sell. A practical formula:
Landed cost = product price + packaging + freight + insurance + duties + taxes + port and clearance fees + last-mile delivery + payment fees + expected returns provision
Divide by the number of units to get cost per unit. This is the number you should compare across suppliers.
Where sex doll logistics differ
- Volumetric weight: large cartons can be charged on volume, not actual weight.
- Heavy handling: dolls above roughly 35 kg may need reinforced cartons or pallets.
- Discreet delivery: neutral packaging and sender details may affect courier options.
- Returns: returning a full-size doll is expensive; build a return provision into the landed cost.
Factory note: buyers often compare the FOB price of a 28 kg doll with the CIF price of a 47 kg doll and conclude that one supplier is cheaper. Normalize the model, the packed weight and the Incoterm before comparing anything.
A simple quote comparison sheet
- Model, height, weight and material.
- Unit price and Incoterm.
- Packed weight and carton dimensions.
- Freight and insurance.
- Duties and taxes for your HS code.
- Port, clearance and delivery fees.
- Payment fees and expected returns.
- Landed cost per unit.
For a broader view of order planning, read our manufacturer selection guide and B2B services page.
A worked landed-cost example
Numbers make the Incoterm difference easier to see. The following example is illustrative and does not represent a quotation for any specific model.
- Factory FOB price for one doll: 1,000 USD.
- International freight and insurance to the destination port: 180 USD.
- Import duty at an assumed 5%: 50 USD.
- Port, brokerage and clearance: 90 USD.
- Last-mile delivery: 60 USD.
- Payment and currency fees at 2%: 20 USD.
In this example, the landed cost is about 1,400 USD, or 40% above the FOB price. A buyer who compares only the 1,000 USD factory price with a competitor's 1,300 USD CIF price may conclude that the first supplier is cheaper, when the real comparison is 1,400 USD versus 1,300 USD plus the remaining import costs.
Run the same calculation for every supplier and every model. The result is often surprising, especially for heavy dolls where freight and handling dominate.
Common Incoterm mistakes
- Comparing an FOB quote with a CIF quote without adjusting for freight and insurance.
- Assuming CIF includes duties or door delivery.
- Ignoring origin charges at the factory port.
- Using the wrong HS code and discovering a different duty rate at clearance.
- Forgetting that heavier cartons may be charged on volumetric weight.
- Not insuring the shipment for the full commercial value.
How to negotiate freight without losing control
- Ask the factory for the packed weight and carton dimensions before requesting a freight quote.
- Request two options: port-to-port and door-to-door.
- Compare transit time, not only price.
- Confirm who handles customs and what happens if clearance is delayed.
- Check whether the quote includes insurance and residential delivery.
If you are new to importing, start with one shipment and document every cost. The second order is where the real negotiation begins, because you can compare actual landed cost with the original estimate.
FAQ
Which Incoterm is best for a first sex doll order?
For many first orders, CIF or a door-to-door arrangement is easier because the supplier arranges freight. FOB gives more control if you already have a freight forwarder and import experience.
Why is CIF not the same as landed cost?
CIF covers cost, insurance and freight to the destination port, but it usually excludes import duties, taxes, port charges and last-mile delivery. Landed cost includes all of these.
How do I compare quotes from different suppliers?
Normalize the specification and Incoterm first, then compare landed cost per unit. A lower FOB price can become more expensive after freight, duties and delivery.
About this guide
This guide is based on freight and quotation data from CoolMate Silicone Doll Factory export orders. Freight rates and duties change frequently; confirm current rates with your forwarder and customs broker. Contact us for a quote with packed dimensions.
Last reviewed: October 2026 by the CoolMate Silicone Doll Factory production team.
