A practical, apples-to-apples way to compare Indonesia vs China IQF vegetable costs to a Los Angeles warehouse in 2026. We standardize palletization, glaze, HS codes, tariffs, and reefer logistics—then walk through a real per‑kg calculation.
If you only compare CIF quotes, you’ll make the wrong call. We’ve seen landed cost swing 8–25% once you normalize for glaze, pallet patterns, and U.S. tariffs. Here’s a straight, per‑kg method you can reuse for 2026 West Coast deliveries.
The apples‑to‑apples rule: standardize these 7 inputs
We recommend you lock in the following before comparing suppliers. When buyers skip even one of these, the math gets fuzzy.
-
Packaging and net basis. Decide on 10 x 1 kg, 4 x 2.5 kg, or 1 x 10 kg, and whether quotes are on drained net (no glaze) or net including glaze. Use the same basis for both countries.
-
Palletization. Fix a pallet type and load plan. Example: 40 x 48 inch GMA pallets, 20 pallets per 40’ reefer, max pallet height 1.7–1.8 m, no double‑stack. Changing this changes kg per container.
-
Container utilization. Target a legal highway payload to your LA warehouse. Don’t use the vessel limit. Your drayage limit will cap you first.
-
Trade terms. Use FOB for duty calculations and add ocean/insurance separately to compare fairly. If you must use CIF, get the ocean/insurance value broken out for Customs.
-
HS code. Agree the exact 10‑digit HTS for each SKU. Duty varies by line.
-
Tariffs. Confirm if Section 301 applies to the China SKU and line. It’s ad valorem on the entered value, not on freight.
-
U.S. last‑mile costs. Include LA/LB terminal, drayage, cold storage handling, customs brokerage, FDA/FSVP, and bond costs.
Practical takeaway: Put these seven into a one‑page spec and make both suppliers quote against it. That’s your apples‑to‑apples baseline.
What fees should I include to compare Indonesia vs China IQF landed cost to Los Angeles?
Here’s the short list we actually use in quotes:
- Origin to vessel: export docs, THC origin, pre‑carriage if FOB inland (often baked into supplier price).
- Ocean and insurance: base rate, reefer premium, bunker and peak season surcharges, plus insurance (0.1–0.3% of cargo value is typical).
- U.S. duty and tariffs: general duty under your HS line, plus Section 301 if applicable to China.
- MPF and HMF: MPF 0.3464% of entered value (min and max apply). HMF 0.125% of entered value for ocean imports.
- Customs brokerage and ISF: Entry $150–$250, ISF $50–$100, continuous bond amortized or single‑entry bond as quoted.
- LA/LB destination: terminal appointment/TMF, reefer plug if rolled, chassis, demurrage/detention risk.
- Drayage and cold chain: port drayage to warehouse, cross‑dock, pallet exchange, inbound/outbound fees, storage if holding inventory.
In our experience, destination add‑ons for a clean LA move with quick pickup land around $1,600–$2,300 per container in 2026 planning budgets, excluding storage and any demurrage.
How many kilograms can a 40’ reefer realistically carry for IQF vegetables?
The vessel may allow ~27 metric tons. Your LA drayage won’t. With a standard chassis and no overweight permit, most carriers cap you around 42,000–44,000 lb cargo weight. That’s roughly 19.0–20.0 MT net product if your packaging is efficient.
What we plan for:
- US pallets, single‑stack, airflow respected: 20 pallets. 850–1,000 kg net per pallet is typical for IQF cartons. That yields 17–20 MT net product.
- Euro pallets can fit 22–24, but most importers transload to US pallets anyway. If you import on Euro and transload, include the handling cost.
Two actionable tips:
- Don’t over‑cube. If your pallet height kills T‑floor airflow, product temp risk goes up and claims wipe out any freight savings.
- Ask for a load plan drawing. A small change in carton footprint can win you an extra 500–1,000 kg per box.
How do pallet patterns and carton size change my per‑kg landed cost?
Carton footprint drives pallets per container and cartons per pallet. A 10 x 1 kg retail carton is bulkier than a 1 x 10 kg foodservice bag, so you ship more cardboard per kilogram. We see 5–8% higher freight per kg for 10 x 1 kg vs 1 x 10 kg on the same product and glaze.
If you’re comparing our Frozen Mixed Vegetables in 10 x 1 kg to a Chinese 1 x 10 kg offer, normalize packaging first or the cheaper one will “win” on freight alone.
Does glaze count toward the dutiable weight and my price per kg?
Two separate issues:
- Per‑kg price: Buyers usually want price on drained net (solid content). If a quote includes 10% glaze in the “net weight,” you’re paying freight on water and your true per‑kg solid cost is higher.
- Quick fix: Drained net = Quoted net ÷ (1 + glaze%). So if price is $1.30/kg at 10% glaze by net, then solid‑basis price is $1.30 × 1.111 = $1.444/kg.
- Duty/tariffs: U.S. duty is ad valorem on the entered value, not on weight. However, price you paid includes the product in the condition imported. Glaze is part of that condition, so your invoice value already reflects it.
Bottom line: standardize to drained net when comparing. And make sure both quotes disclose glaze percentage.
Are Section 301 tariffs still applied to Chinese frozen vegetables in 2026?
As of our latest compliance checks, many HS 0710 lines of Chinese origin have carried an additional 25% under Section 301 in recent years. Whether your specific item is covered in 2026 depends on your exact HTS and any USTR updates.
How to confirm fast:
- Look up your 10‑digit HTS in the USITC HTS Search and check the “Rates of Duty” and “Temporary” annotations for 301 notes.
- Cross‑verify on the USTR Section 301 lists and with your customs broker. The 301 applies to entered value (FOB), not ocean freight.
We’ve found that a 25% 301 on China often flips the math in Indonesia’s favor, even if China’s FOB is 5–10% cheaper. But verify line by line.
Which HS codes apply to frozen vegetables and how do I confirm the duty rate?
Common lines we see:
- Sweet corn: 0710.40.xxxx.
- Other vegetables, mixed vegetables, okra, peppers: 0710.80.xxxx.
- Beans/edamame: 0710.22.xxxx.
Many 0710 lines are MFN duty‑free or low duty, but don’t assume. Use the USITC HTS Search to confirm your exact 10‑digit line, then have your broker validate. For reference products like our Premium Frozen Sweet Corn, Premium Frozen Okra, and Frozen Paprika (Bell Peppers), we furnish the proposed HTS in the quote so compliance can confirm before booking.
What’s a realistic drayage and cold chain cost for a reefer container at LA/Long Beach?
We budget the following ranges for 2026 planning. Your mileage will vary with distance, wait times, and warehouse practices.
- Drayage port to local cold storage (within ~25 miles): $650–$1,100 per loaded reefer.
- Terminal/appointment/PierPass/TMF pass‑throughs: $50–$120 per container.
- Reefer plug at terminal if rolled: $40–$100 per day.
- Cross‑dock, unload, palletize, wrap, labels: $12–$18 per pallet in and out. 20 pallets = $240–$360 each way if applicable.
- Short‑term storage: $20–$30 per pallet per month. Reefer plug at warehouse $45–$60/day if holding loaded.
- Customs brokerage/ISF: $200–$350 combined. MPF and HMF are on the entered value as noted above.
Reality check: demurrage/detention spikes erase savings fast. Build 3–5 days of buffer in your schedule.
40’ reefer freight rates and transit times, Indonesia vs China
Rates remain volatile, and reefer space is tighter than dry. For 2026 contracting, we’re seeing planning bands like these for budgeting purposes:
- Ocean freight China (e.g., Qingdao) to LA: $5,500–$8,500 all‑in for a 40’ reefer, subject to GRIs/peak season.
- Ocean freight Indonesia (e.g., Jakarta/Surabaya) to LA: $6,500–$9,500 all‑in, often higher due to transshipment.
- Transit times on water: Qingdao–LA 14–17 days direct. Jakarta–LA typically 22–28 days with transshipment.
If your launch window is tight, that extra week from Indonesia matters. If you’re cost‑driven and 301 applies to China, Indonesia can still land cheaper per kg despite the longer route.
A worked example: per‑kg landed cost to an LA warehouse
Assumptions everyone can replicate:
- 40’ reefer. 20 US pallets. 19,000 kg drained net product.
- Packaging 1 x 10 kg. Glaze standardized at 0% basis for comparison.
- HS 0710 line with MFN 0% general duty. Section 301 for China assumed 25% for illustration.
- Entered value basis is FOB. Ocean and insurance are non‑dutiable.
Indonesia supplier (example, IQF sweet corn):
- FOB price: $1.20/kg → $22,800 entered value.
- Ocean + surcharges + insurance: $8,100.
- LA/LB destination bundle: drayage $900, terminal/appointment $80, brokerage/ISF $250, bond/filings $75, cross‑dock/pallet handling $300 → $1,605.
- Duties/taxes: General duty 0%. MPF 0.3464% × $22,800 = $79. HMF 0.125% × $22,800 = $28.50.
- Delivered cost: $22,800 + $8,100 + $1,605 + $79 + $28.5 = $32,612.5.
- Per‑kg delivered to LA warehouse: $32,612.5 ÷ 19,000 kg = $1.716/kg.
China supplier (same spec):
- FOB price: $1.10/kg → $20,900 entered value.
- Ocean + surcharges + insurance: $6,700.
- LA/LB destination bundle: same $1,605.
- Duties/taxes: General duty 0%. Section 301 25% × $20,900 = $5,225. MPF 0.3464% × $20,900 = $72.34. HMF 0.125% × $20,900 = $26.13.
- Delivered cost: $20,900 + $6,700 + $1,605 + $5,225 + $72.34 + $26.13 = $34,528.47.
- Per‑kg delivered: $34,528.47 ÷ 19,000 kg = $1.817/kg.
Result: Despite a $0.10/kg FOB advantage, the 25% 301 turns China’s landed cost higher by about $0.10/kg. If your Chinese line is exempt, the math can flip back. Run the same model with your exact HTS and quotes.
Common mistakes we still see:
- Using CIF as the entered value for duty. Don’t. 301, MPF, and HMF apply to the FOB‑like entered value.
- Ignoring packaging. 10 x 1 kg looks cheap until you realize you shipped 1–2 MT of cardboard.
- Comparing net with 10% glaze to drained net. That “cheaper” price is often 10–12% higher on solids once normalized.
When Indonesia makes the most sense
- You’re hit by Section 301 on the China line.
- You want stable, short‑lead replenishment and can live with a week more on the water. Jakarta transshipment is predictable if booked early.
- You want to standardize SKUs across IQF lines like Premium Frozen Sweet Corn, Frozen Mixed Vegetables, or Premium Frozen Okra with 1 x 10 kg foodservice packs for best cube.
Need help turning your own specs into a per‑kg calculator and a container load plan? Share your HS codes and target packaging and we’ll help you model it. If you want us to sense‑check your numbers, Contact us on whatsapp.
Quick reference: your repeatable calculator
- Start with entered value (FOB) per kg on drained net.
- Add: ocean + insurance per container ÷ net kg.
- Add: destination bundle per container ÷ net kg.
- Add: duty + 301 + MPF + HMF on entered value ÷ net kg.
- Check: container net kg is feasible for your pallet plan and U.S. drayage limits.
We’ve found that buyers who lock these steps see fewer surprises and cleaner P&L. And they stop arguing over CIF quotes that never told the whole story in the first place.