What Is Wholesale Packaging Pricing? A Practical Guide

If you’ve ever asked what is wholesale packaging pricing and received three quotes that seem to belong to three different planets, you’re not alone. I remember one project in Dongguan where the same 24-point folding carton came back at $0.31 from one supplier, $0.44 from another, and $0.58 from a third, and that was before freight from Shenzhen, sample courier costs, and inserts showed up to ruin everyone’s day. That gap is exactly why what is wholesale packaging pricing matters: the number is never just a number; it is a mix of board grade, print method, order volume, production discipline, and the occasional surprise fee that makes you stare at your inbox for a full minute.

Most buyers get tripped up because they compare sample pricing to true production pricing. A sample might look like a bargain at $18 for a single prototype, but that price usually assumes one-off labor, manual setup, and no scale efficiency. Wholesale packaging pricing is different. It reflects repeatable manufacturing, predictable specifications, and the economics of making 500, 5,000, or 50,000 units in one run. In practice, a sample carton from a factory in Shenzhen might take 2 to 4 business days to build, while a production order can spread setup costs across thousands of units. Honestly, I think this is where a lot of confusion starts: people ask for a “box price,” then act shocked when the quote behaves like a manufacturing job instead of a retail shelf tag. If you know what is wholesale packaging pricing built on, you stop guessing and start negotiating from a much stronger position.

I’ve seen buyers ask for “a box quote” without dimensions, material, finish, or quantity. A Shenzhen supplier once showed me two cartons that looked identical on a shelf. One was 300gsm C1S with a spot UV logo, the other was 350gsm artboard with aqueous coating and a custom insert. The price difference was 27%, and both were technically “the same box” to the untrained eye. That is the trap. Packaging people love to say “it’s just a box” until the bill arrives (then suddenly everyone becomes very interested in board thickness). So let’s answer what is wholesale packaging pricing in practical terms and map the variables that actually move the cost.

What Is Wholesale Packaging Pricing? Why the Quote Can Surprise You

What is wholesale packaging pricing in plain language? It is the unit cost of packaging when it is produced in bulk, usually with an agreed structure, materials, decoration, and shipping terms. The price is not based on one box sitting on a shelf in a retail store. It is based on a production run. That distinction matters because wholesale pricing assumes setup, tooling, plate creation, material purchasing, and machine time are spread across the order. In a Guangzhou corrugated plant, for example, a die-cut mailer box run of 5,000 pieces may price very differently from a 500-piece test order because the same steel rule die and press setup are amortized across more units.

I’ve seen buyers assume that a mailer box should cost “about a dollar” because that’s what a small online sample page showed. Then they submit a 5,000-unit RFQ with custom dimensions, full-color exterior print, interior print, and a matte lamination. The quote lands at $0.82 before freight, and the buyer thinks something is wrong. It usually isn’t. The quote is responding to real production inputs. For a standard 6 x 4 x 2 inch mailer box in E-flute with CMYK print, $0.78 to $1.05 per unit is a normal range at 5,000 pieces, depending on coating, insert needs, and delivery terms. That is the core of what is wholesale packaging pricing: a manufacturing price, not a showroom price.

Packaging pricing is rarely one-size-fits-all because the market includes stock packaging, semi-custom packaging, and fully custom packaging. Stock packaging is closer to commodity pricing. Standard sizes, standard print, fewer setup variables. Custom printed boxes sit in a different category because the supplier has to cut, print, fold, and sometimes hand-finish to your specification. If your product needs tighter fit, stronger corrugate, or premium package branding, the unit cost rises for reasons the quote should explain. A stock white mailer from a warehouse in Los Angeles might be $0.52 per unit in packs of 1,000, while a custom branded version from a factory in Ningbo can land at $0.69 to $0.94 depending on artwork and inserts.

“The cheapest quote is often the most expensive decision once damage claims, rework, and freight are counted.” That’s a line I’ve heard from more than one operations director in Chicago and Rotterdam, and I agree with it.

Here’s the useful mental model: what is wholesale packaging pricing is a bundle of three things—materials, manufacturing, and logistics. If any one of those changes, the total moves. A $0.40 box with $0.22 freight is not cheaper than a $0.47 box with better carton strength, lower defect rates, and delivered pricing. Buyers who compare only unit price miss the landed-cost story. On a shipment moving from Shenzhen to New York, ocean freight and inland drayage can add $0.08 to $0.26 per unit depending on volume and carton weight, which means the lowest factory price may not be the lowest cost.

For buyers wanting to move quickly, I usually recommend starting with the exact product dimensions, the shipping route, and the intended use. A retail packaging display box for cosmetics is not priced like a corrugated e-commerce mailer for supplements. Same word “box.” Completely different cost drivers. A 350gsm C1S artboard folding carton with a tuck-end closure for lipstick may quote at $0.19 to $0.33 per unit at 10,000 pieces, while a heavy-duty RSC shipping carton for vitamins may be $0.71 to $1.18 depending on ECT rating. That is why what is wholesale packaging pricing needs a more disciplined response than a ballpark estimate.

What Is Wholesale Packaging Pricing and Why Do Quotes Vary?

What is wholesale packaging pricing if two suppliers quote different numbers for what appears to be the same box? The answer is usually hidden in the details: material grade, print method, finish, tooling, and shipping terms. Two cartons can share the same dimensions and still price differently by 20% or more because one uses recycled corrugated board, one uses virgin paperboard, one needs a custom die line, and one includes a finishing pass that the other does not. In other words, the quote is not only about the box. It is about how the box is made, packed, and delivered.

That matters because procurement teams often compare the headline unit price without asking what sits behind it. A supplier in Shenzhen may quote a low number by excluding freight, samples, or inserts. Another supplier may include those charges up front and look more expensive on paper. If you do not clarify what is included, what is wholesale packaging pricing becomes a misleading comparison instead of a decision tool. I’ve seen a client save $0.05 per unit on the factory floor, only to spend $0.13 more per unit once freight and rework were added back in. The box did not get cheaper. The story around it did.

The cleanest way to think about pricing is this: bulk packaging cost is driven by inputs and process. Inputs include paperboard, corrugated flute type, coatings, inks, inserts, and closures. Process includes printing, die-cutting, gluing, hand assembly, inspection, packing, and shipping. When any of those variables changes, the quote changes. That is why what is wholesale packaging pricing cannot be answered with one generic number. It depends on the structure of the order as much as the product itself.

I’ve also seen buyers compare a sample run to a production run and assume the sample price should scale linearly. It rarely does. A prototype may cost $18 to $45 because it is built manually and reviewed one at a time. A bulk run can drop the unit cost dramatically because setup costs are spread across thousands of units. That is one reason custom printed boxes can look expensive in samples and far more reasonable at 5,000 or 10,000 pieces. The economics of bulk packaging are not intuitive until you’ve watched a factory line for an hour and seen how much time is spent just getting the machine ready.

Finally, geography matters. A packaging factory in Dongguan, Shenzhen, or Ningbo may quote differently from a domestic supplier in Los Angeles or Chicago because labor, paper sourcing, freight access, and production capacity are not the same. One region may specialize in folding cartons; another may be stronger in corrugated shipping boxes or Rigid Gift Boxes. That regional specialization shapes what is wholesale packaging pricing as much as the artwork file does. The number on the quote is a snapshot of a supply chain, not just a product.

Product Details That Shape Wholesale Packaging Pricing

The first thing I check is packaging type. Folding cartons, rigid boxes, mailer boxes, Corrugated Shipping Boxes, pouches, and inserts all price differently because they use different substrates and assembly steps. A folding carton might use 300gsm or 350gsm paperboard. A rigid set-up box may require chipboard wrapped in printed paper. A pouch may use multilayer film with a zipper. If you are trying to understand what is wholesale packaging pricing, start by naming the packaging family correctly. A rigid box made in Yiwu can take 3 to 5 times more hand labor than a simple folding carton because of wrapping, corner turning, and magnet placement.

Use case changes cost too. Shelf display packaging demands better print clarity and often stronger branding. Shipping protection asks for compression resistance and better edge performance. Subscription unboxing often pushes for premium presentation, which can mean soft-touch lamination, foil, or interior print. Product separation inside the package may require molded pulp inserts or die-cut paperboard dividers. Each use case changes the bill of materials and therefore what is wholesale packaging pricing in real terms. For example, a cosmetics subscription box with a custom insert can run $0.48 per unit at 3,000 pieces, while the same outer box without an insert may come in at $0.36.

Common packaging types and how they usually price

Packaging type	Typical wholesale cost drivers	Common tradeoff
Folding carton	Board grade, print colors, coating, dieline complexity	Low weight, strong shelf appeal
Rigid box	Chipboard thickness, wrap material, hand assembly, magnets	Premium presentation, higher labor
Mailer box	Corrugated flute type, print coverage, size, insert needs	Shipping strength, higher carton weight
Corrugated shipping box	ECT rating, flute profile, board liners, size volume	Protection first, less decorative value
Pouch	Film structure, zipper, barrier layer, seal type	Lightweight, material complexity

Design complexity matters more than many buyers expect. Full-bleed print adds coverage requirements. Embossing and debossing add tooling. Foil stamping needs dies and setup time. Window cutouts add extra die work and sometimes window film. Interior printing adds another press pass. I still remember standing on a carton line in Guangdong while the production manager pointed to a pile of “tiny” artwork revisions and told me they had already added 14 minutes per 1,000 units. Fourteen minutes sounds almost ridiculous until you multiply it across 20,000 units and realize the machine does not care about your optimistic spreadsheet. Then what is wholesale packaging pricing becomes very specific very quickly.

Standard stock structures are cheaper than custom dimensions because the supplier already has the tooling and the machine settings. Custom sizing can improve fit, reduce void fill, and sometimes cut freight weight, which helps total cost. It can also increase setup, especially if you need a unique dieline or altered board size. The practical tradeoff is simple: a slightly higher unit price may lower damage claims, lower assembly time, and improve package branding in the customer’s hands. A shipping box sized to fit a 12 oz candle can reduce void fill by 30% and save $0.06 to $0.11 per unit in packing materials. That is why I tell clients to calculate total cost, not just the box number. It changes the answer to what is wholesale packaging pricing.

Specifications That Change the Final Price

Materials are the largest price lever in many projects. Paperboard thickness, corrugated flute type, liner quality, GSM, and recycled content all affect cost. A 350gsm C1S artboard does not behave like a 300gsm SBS sheet. E-flute corrugate is thinner and often better for print; B-flute is stronger in compression. Recycled content may help with sustainability goals, but the price depends on the source fiber and supplier availability. If a buyer asks what is wholesale packaging pricing, the short answer is: it starts with the substrate. In practice, a 350gsm C1S carton from a plant in Guangzhou can be $0.14 to $0.28 per unit at 10,000 pieces, while a 400gsm SBS version may rise by 8% to 15% depending on the paper mill and coating.

Print specs move the number too. One-color black on kraft board is not the same as four-color process on coated paper with PMS matching. Single-side printing is cheaper than double-side printing because the press time and drying time are lower. Proofing also matters. Digital proofs are usually faster and cheaper than press proofs, but press-approved color matching can add both time and cost. I’ve seen brand owners insist on exact Pantone accuracy for product packaging, then later discover they needed a more expensive ink sequence to hold that color on uncoated stock. That is not a mistake; it is a spec decision. And spec decisions define what is wholesale packaging pricing. A press proof in Dongguan may add 2 to 3 business days and $60 to $180 depending on artwork changes and ink coverage.

Finishing options can quietly add 8% to 25% depending on the project. Matte coating gives a softer look. Gloss creates brighter contrast. Soft-touch lamination feels premium, but it can increase scuff resistance requirements and handling care. Aqueous coating is often a good middle ground for retail packaging because it adds protection without the heavier cost of film lamination. Specialty textures, such as linen or suede effects, increase material and finishing complexity. The same print file on three different finishes can create three different answers to what is wholesale packaging pricing. For a folding carton order in 5,000 pieces, switching from aqueous coating to soft-touch lamination can add about $0.03 to $0.09 per unit.

Structural extras are another cost layer. Custom inserts, partitions, magnetic closures, fold-down flaps, and complex locking tabs all add labor. If the box requires hand assembly, the cost rises again. A rigid gift box with a magnetic lid may look elegant in a sales deck, but it usually costs more than a tuck-end carton for a reason you can count: more materials, more steps, more handling. I’ve negotiated with suppliers in Shenzhen who were willing to drop the unit price by 6 cents if the client replaced a multi-piece insert with a single die-cut tray. That is the kind of detail that changes what is wholesale packaging pricing in practice.

Compliance and performance needs can also alter pricing. Food-safe materials, moisture resistance, and protective performance standards are not optional in some categories. If your packaging must survive cold-chain handling or long-distance shipping, you may need barrier coatings, stronger corrugate, or more precise testing. For packaging performance and shipping testing, ISTA testing protocols are widely used, and they can reveal where a cheaper box fails under real transit stress. A drop test in a facility in Los Angeles may uncover corner failure at 32 inches, while the same box survives 24 inches but not 36. If the goal is fewer breakages, then what is wholesale packaging pricing should be judged alongside performance, not in isolation.

For sustainability-focused projects, I often reference standards and certifications early. The FSC framework can matter if the buyer needs certified fiber chain-of-custody, and that decision can influence both sourcing and pricing. Buyers sometimes treat certification as a marketing checkbox. It is not. It adds verification steps, documentation, and supplier discipline. Those have a cost, and they belong inside the answer to what is wholesale packaging pricing. In many factories in Vietnam and eastern China, FSC documentation checks can add 1 to 2 business days to procurement if the paper mill certificate needs revalidation.

Wholesale Packaging Pricing: MOQ, Volume Breaks, and Hidden Costs

MOQ, or minimum order quantity, is where many first-time buyers get surprised. It exists because setup, tooling, plates, and press time cost money whether you order 500 units or 50,000. A supplier cannot run a custom folding carton economically without spreading those fixed costs over enough units. That is why what is wholesale packaging pricing changes dramatically as quantity rises. At 1,000 units, the setup cost might add 18 cents per box. At 10,000 units, the same setup cost may add only 2 cents per box. In practical terms, a $120 die charge on 1,000 boxes is far more visible than on 12,000 boxes.

Volume breaks are the next piece. Unit price usually falls as quantity increases, but not in a straight line. You may see pricing at 1,000, 3,000, 5,000, and 10,000 units. The 5,000-unit tier may be materially better than 3,000, while 10,000 may only save a few more cents. Buyers should compare tiers side by side rather than fixating on the first quote they receive. A disciplined buyer asks, “What is the price at 2,500, 5,000, and 10,000?” That question often reveals the real shape of what is wholesale packaging pricing. A mailer box may fall from $0.88 at 2,500 pieces to $0.71 at 5,000, then only to $0.66 at 10,000 if material usage is already optimized.

There are also hidden costs. Dieline creation can be charged separately if the structure is new. Prototyping or sampling may be billed. Printing plates, especially for offset, can add to the setup. Freight is a major one, and so is storage if you do not have room to receive the full run. Import fees, customs brokerage, and rush charges can all show up late. I’ve had a client in Austin celebrate a low per-unit quote, then discover the “cheapest” supplier excluded freight to the East Coast, sample approval, and a set of foam inserts. The landed cost was 19% higher than the second-best quote. I about needed a second coffee that day. That is why what is wholesale packaging pricing should always be reviewed as a line-item breakdown.

FOB and delivered pricing are not the same thing, and the difference matters. FOB-style pricing usually means the quote covers production up to the point of shipment from the factory or port, while delivered pricing includes the cost of bringing the goods to your location. Buyers who do not clarify this can compare apples to oranges. One supplier may appear cheaper because freight is excluded. Another may appear more expensive because the shipment is already included. You cannot evaluate what is wholesale packaging pricing without knowing the delivery terms. A quote from a factory in Ningbo to a warehouse in Chicago might look lower by $0.07 per unit until inland freight adds back $1,100 on the full pallet load.

Here is the framework I use with procurement teams:

1. Ask for a line-item quote.
2. Separate one-time setup from recurring unit cost.
3. Confirm whether freight, samples, and inserts are included.
4. Compare at least two volume tiers.
5. Ask for the exact material grade and finish.

That process removes most of the mystery from what is wholesale packaging pricing. It also keeps conversations honest. If a supplier cannot explain where the money goes, I would treat that as a risk signal, not an inconvenience.

One more practical note. Buyers often ask whether a lower MOQ is “worth it.” Sometimes yes, sometimes no. A 500-unit test run can be smart if the design is new or the market is uncertain. The per-unit cost will likely be higher. If you know the design is locked and the product launch is funded, a larger run often lowers the real unit cost enough to justify the inventory. That tradeoff sits at the center of what is wholesale packaging pricing. For example, 500 rigid boxes from a factory in Guangzhou might price at $2.85 each, while 5,000 units could drop to $1.42 each because labor and chipboard setup costs are spread across a much larger run.

Pricing Process and Timeline: From Quote to Delivery

The pricing process usually starts with a specification sheet. Size, material, print method, finish, quantity, and delivery location should be included from the first message. If the supplier has to guess, the quote will be a guess too. In a supplier meeting I sat through last spring in Guangzhou, the buyer had sent only a product photo and “need packaging.” The factory responded with three different interpretations, each with a different quote. Once the buyer provided exact dimensions and a target ship date, the price narrowed by 14% because the team could stop making assumptions. That is another reason what is wholesale packaging pricing depends on the quality of your brief.

Once the specs are set, the supplier usually recommends material options, reviews artwork, and confirms the price. Sample approval comes next if the structure is new or the color needs to be checked. Then production prep begins: plates, dies, cutting rules, and scheduling. After that comes manufacturing, quality checks, packing, and freight booking. For a straightforward carton project, the process typically takes 12 to 15 business days from proof approval to finished production, plus 3 to 7 business days for ocean or domestic transit depending on the route. For a rigid box with custom inserts, 18 to 30 business days is more realistic. Buyers asking what is wholesale packaging pricing should also ask, “What is the timing attached to that number?” because speed has a habit of getting expensive when everyone starts panicking on a Friday afternoon.

Delays usually come from artwork revisions, missing dielines, and delayed approvals. Supply constraints on paperboard, specialty films, or foil can also push the schedule. I’ve seen projects stall for a week because the logo file arrived as a low-resolution JPG instead of a vector PDF. That is avoidable. The best buyers reduce delays by sending complete files the first time. Their answer to what is wholesale packaging pricing becomes faster and cleaner because the production team can work with fewer unknowns. In one case, a client in Toronto cut two days from approval time simply by sending an AI file, a PDF proof, and Pantone references on the same morning.

If speed matters, rush orders are possible, but they are not free. Faster timelines often require simplified specs, overtime, or air freight. That can raise cost by 10% to 30% depending on the route and the structure. If you need packaging by a fixed launch date, the safer path is to lock specs early and avoid last-minute finish changes. A soft-touch lamination swapped for gloss after artwork approval can force a re-run of the entire schedule. That is a classic mistake, and it is why what is wholesale packaging pricing should never be separated from planning.

Here is the buyer checklist I wish more teams used:

• Final dimensions in millimeters or inches
• Quantity target and backup volume tier
• Artwork files in AI, PDF, or vector format
• Material preference, such as 350gsm artboard or E-flute corrugate
• Finish requirement, including matte, gloss, or soft-touch
• Delivery address and incoterm preference
• Need for inserts, partitions, or special closures

That list turns a fuzzy request into a manufacturable order. It also improves the answer to what is wholesale packaging pricing because the supplier can quote against known parameters instead of assumptions.

Why Choose Us for Wholesale Packaging Pricing

At Custom Logo Things, I like transparent pricing because it respects the buyer’s time. The best wholesale packaging conversations are not about hiding setup fees or dressing up a quote with vague language. They are about showing how the price is built, where the options are, and which changes actually matter. If you want to understand what is wholesale packaging pricing, you need a supplier that can explain the difference between a 300gsm stock carton and a custom printed box without hand-waving. A quote that says “contact us for details” is less useful than one that lists board grade, finish, and quantity tiers from the start.

Our team works across Custom Packaging Products and Wholesale Programs, which means we see both sides of the buying decision. Some customers need a branded packaging program for retail shelves. Others need e-commerce shipping protection with cleaner package branding. Others want a product packaging refresh that lowers damage and improves first impressions. The right answer is not always the prettiest box; sometimes it is the box that reduces total cost by 11% over a full run. In a 10,000-piece order, saving $0.11 per unit is $1,100 before you even count fewer returns.

In a client meeting for a skincare line in Los Angeles, I watched a founder compare two versions of the same carton. One had a heavier board and foil accents. The other had slightly simpler packaging design, but the insert held the jar more securely and the unit cost dropped by 9 cents. She chose the second option after we walked through breakage risk and freight weight. That is the kind of thinking that makes what is wholesale packaging pricing useful. It is not a race to the lowest number. It is a decision about performance, presentation, and repeatability.

I also care about consistency. A low quote that produces 3% waste can destroy the savings fast. If a run of 20,000 boxes yields 600 rejects, the savings evaporate. Quality control, material inspection, and dimensional accuracy are not side issues. They are cost controls. When suppliers run to standard and communicate clearly, buyers avoid reorders, avoid delayed launches, and protect margins. That is the practical promise behind what is wholesale packaging pricing done well. A plant in Dongguan that keeps reject rates under 1.5% is often more valuable than a factory that merely posts the lowest unit rate.

Here is the simple truth: package branding should support the product, not complicate the supply chain. If a finish adds cost but does not improve shelf impact or customer experience, I usually question it. If a structural change saves shipping weight and reduces returns, I push for it. Good pricing advice is not glamorous. It is arithmetic, material science, and a little hard-won judgment. That is why our approach to what is wholesale packaging pricing focuses on total landed cost, not vanity metrics. A box that ships from Shenzhen at $0.41 and arrives in New Jersey at $0.62 is only worth discussing as a landed number.

If you are comparing vendors, ask whether they will explain lead times, quality checks, and freight assumptions up front. The best partners do not dodge those questions. They answer them. That is what separates a procurement transaction from a packaging program you can actually depend on.

How to Compare Quotes and Take the Next Step

Start with exact specs. If you send five suppliers the same dimensions, quantity, material, print count, and finish, you get a real comparison. If you send one supplier a sketch, another a photo, and another a half-filled form, the quotes will not be comparable. This is the first rule of what is wholesale packaging pricing: equal inputs produce meaningful differences. Unequal inputs produce confusion. A 200 x 150 x 60 mm mailer in E-flute with CMYK print is a different job from a 220 x 160 x 70 mm version, even if both are called “mailer boxes.”

Once you receive the quotes, compare line items side by side. Check whether tooling is included, whether samples are charged separately, and whether freight is FOB or delivered. Look for the paper grade, board thickness, and exact finish. If inserts are needed, confirm whether they are part of the price or an extra line. A price that appears higher may actually be more complete. A lower number may be missing three costs and one deadline. That is a common failure point in what is wholesale packaging pricing comparisons. A $0.29 carton quote from a plant in Ningbo can look attractive until you notice it excludes a $85 proof fee and palletized freight to Dallas.

Quote element	What to confirm	Why it matters
Unit price	Per-piece cost at each quantity tier	Shows true scale savings
Tooling/setup	Dies, plates, dieline fees	Can change small-run economics
Samples	Prototype charges and shipping	Needed for first-time designs
Freight	FOB or delivered terms	Major part of landed cost
Inserts	Included or separate	Affects protection and assembly

If your packaging is new, order a pilot run or approve a sample first. I have seen enough launch problems to know that a one-week sample delay is cheaper than a one-month production error. For shipping-focused packaging, test it. For shelf-facing retail packaging, inspect it under the lighting where it will actually be sold. For branded packaging, check the color against your brand standard. That is the difference between a quote and a working solution, and it affects what is wholesale packaging pricing in ways that only show up after the purchase order. A sample approved in 4 business days can save a 4,000-unit reprint later.

Choose the best option by balancing unit cost, durability, print quality, lead time, and supplier communication. If a supplier answers your questions in one message and sends a line-item quote, that is a strong sign. If they avoid specifics, they may be hiding assumptions. I prefer the supplier who tells me exactly why a box costs $0.36, not the one who says it is “competitive” and stops there. Competitive with what? For what spec? That is the question behind what is wholesale packaging pricing.

Your next step is straightforward: prepare a spec sheet, request at least two comparable quotes, and confirm MOQ and timeline before you place the order. If you do that, you will avoid most of the surprises that derail budgets. And you’ll understand what is wholesale packaging pricing well enough to make a buying decision with confidence.

For teams ready to move, a strong packaging partner should help you review the structure, compare materials, and identify where you can trim cost without hurting product performance. That is where good wholesale packaging decisions happen: not in the lowest number, but in the clearest one. In many cases, the best savings come from choosing a standard 350gsm C1S carton in Dongguan or a standard E-flute mailer in Shenzhen instead of forcing a custom solution where a stock structure already works.

If you remember one thing, make it this: the real answer to what is wholesale packaging pricing is the landed cost of a specific structure at a specific quantity, with specific specs and delivery terms. Get those five pieces aligned before you compare quotes, and the pricing starts making sense. Skip them, and you’re basically shopping blind.