Most indie apparel founders price their first run like this:
“FOB is $9/unit → Retail $49 → We’re printing money.”
Then the container arrives and margin disappears.
Here’s what actually eats your profit before the product even hits your warehouse:
• Factory FOB price
• Freight (air = ~$6.5/kg, sea = ~$1.8/kg)
• Import duty (12–32% for apparel into US)
• Customs brokerage (~$150–200)
• QC inspection (~$180–250 per 1,000 units)
• Last-mile delivery to your 3PL
• Buffer for currency swings & delays
Do this math BEFORE you place the order.
I built the full landed-cost calculator vendor system sample tracker so you never get blindsided again.
Indie Apparel Brand OS (US Edition)
$129 one-time • No subscription • Works on free Notion
Link in bio 👆
What’s the biggest production cost surprise that hit your brand? Drop it below 👇
#ApparelProduction#FashionStartup#IndieBrand#ClothingBrand#ManufacturingTips
🤩 Incorporate regular maintenance and cleaning into your routine! This is just one of five strategies for plant managers to boost profits. Explore the full blog for more insights! #ManufacturingTips#ProfitBoostingbuff.ly/uRhiS1l
🤩 Incorporate regular maintenance and cleaning into your routine! This is just one of five strategies for plant managers to boost profits. Explore the full blog for more insights! #ManufacturingTips#ProfitBoostingbuff.ly/uRhiS1l
🤩 By diversifying your team's skill set beyond their specific roles, such as in receiving, to encompass other areas like material movement, you enable quick adaptability to changing needs. buff.ly/CvPZur2#ManufacturingTips#Productivity
🤩 Incorporate regular maintenance and cleaning into your routine! This is just one of five strategies for plant managers to boost profits. Explore the full blog for more insights! #ManufacturingTips#ProfitBoostingbuff.ly/uRhiS1l
🤩 By diversifying your team's skill set beyond their specific roles, such as in receiving, to encompass other areas like material movement, you enable quick adaptability to changing needs. buff.ly/eiuujb5#ManufacturingTips#Productivity
🤩 By diversifying your team's skill set beyond their specific roles, such as in receiving, to encompass other areas like material movement, you enable quick adaptability to changing needs. buff.ly/uAp7duY#ManufacturingTips#Productivity
🤩 By diversifying your team's skill set beyond their specific roles, such as in receiving, to encompass other areas like material movement, you enable quick adaptability to changing needs. buff.ly/zuVPSsL#ManufacturingTips#Productivity
🤩 By diversifying your team's skill set beyond their specific roles, such as in receiving, to encompass other areas like material movement, you enable quick adaptability to changing needs. dcsccorp.com/blog/simple-adv…#ManufacturingTips#Productivity
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🤩 By diversifying your team's skill set beyond their specific roles, such as in receiving, to encompass other areas like material movement, you enable quick adaptability to changing needs. dcsccorp.com/blog/simple-adv…#ManufacturingTips#Productivity
The easiest way to get a
competitive advantage in Indian manufacturing? Always pay your vendors on time and whenever possible pay earlier than due. The benefits, and goodwill of this practise are invaluable. #ManufacturingTips#BusinessStrategy
Small wins = big results 💡
Incremental improvements like faster changeovers or reduced idle times can transform production efficiency over time.
What small changes have made the biggest impact for you?
#Efficiency#ManufacturingTips#ContinuousImprovement