"My Numbers Didn't Close"

If you've ever looked at the numbers of an import and thought: "This didn't add up for me", you're not alone.

Many small and medium-sized importers in Argentina calculate costs thinking: FOB + freight + some tax. But when the goods arrive, between customs, fees, and perceptions, the final cost ends up being a mystery — or worse, an unpleasant surprise.

Let's be realistic: most people still use Excel, emails, and estimates from the customs agent. But the truth is that a small mistake in the calculation of the destination cost can eat up all your profit margin.

💸 Part 1: Why Most People Miscalculate

This is usually how it works:

• The supplier gives you an FOB or CIF quote

• You estimate the freight and add 20% for taxes

• You enter it into a spreadsheet

• You finalize the sale price with your client

And then reality hits:

• The port charged more than expected

• You didn't calculate the VAT perceptions or RG 4815

• Gross Income Tax (IIBB) depends on the province

• The Statistical Fee was applied to the total

• There were extra costs for storage or logistics

Result: The cost was 10–15% higher than expected. And your profit... disappeared.

🔄 Part 2: What Happens When You Miscalculate

Making a mistake with the destination cost not only impacts your numbers — it affects your entire operation.

🔻 Lost Margin

That 20% you thought you would earn no longer exists.

🔻 Poorly Defined Prices

You sold based on assumptions. Now you're losing money or renegotiating in a hurry.

🔻 Cash Mismatch

You hadn't planned to pay half a million pesos more in fees. And now your payments don't add up.

🔻 Tax Risks

If your customs agent missed something, you could have issues with AFIP or delays in customs clearance.

🔻 Operational Disorder

If every import is a surprise, you can't scale or plan.

🇦🇷 Part 3: Why It's Harder in Argentina

In other countries, the calculation looks something like this:

Product cost + freight + tariff = done.

In Argentina, it's more like:

Product + freight + duties + VAT + RG 4815 + Statistical Fee + IIBB + port fees + local expenses + customs agent commission + exchange spread = only then do you get close.

And on top of that, everything depends on:

• The tariff code (NCM)

• The destination province

• The type of SIRA

• Whether the payment is upfront or deferred

• Whether it's FOB, CIF, DDP…

No Excel can handle all this without failing.

💡 Part 4: The "Aha" Moment — From Reaction to Planning

Most people find out the real cost after releasing the load. That's already too late.

Imagine if you could have a complete breakdown of expected costs before confirming the purchase with the supplier:

✅ You know upfront how much you will earn

✅ You set selling prices with confidence

✅ You determine if the operation is worthwhile or not

✅ You plan your payments on time

✅ You avoid surprises and renegotiations

That's what understanding your destination cost gives you.

⚙️ Part 5: How to Start Doing It Better

You don't need to reinvent anything — just improve how you calculate it.

Some practical tips:

🔹 Start with the NCM – Define taxes and perceptions

🔹 Create a checklist of costs – Add everything: fees, commissions, storage

🔹 Use past operations as a reference

🔹 Model 2 or 3 scenarios – one optimistic, one realistic, one pessimistic

🔹 Explore tools or services that automate part of the calculation

✅ Part 6: Why It's Worth It

When you master the real cost, this happens:

• 📈 Your prices are more accurate

• 💵 You protect your profitability

• 🧮 You plan your cash flow with confidence

• 📦 You avoid delays due to lack of funds or SIRA errors

• 💡 You make faster and better-informed decisions

In a country like Argentina, where everything changes, having a clear understanding of your cost is a real competitive advantage.

🎯 Conclusion: Control What You Can

You can't control the dollar.

You can't control BCRA regulations.

But you can control how prepared you are to import.

The more precise you are with your costs, the better decisions you'll make.

Fewer surprises. More order. Better business.

👉 Ready to stop guessing?

https://www.getloula.com/es/landed-cost-calculator

Review how you are calculating your destination cost.

And look for ways to automate, anticipate, and improve.

Because in Argentina, it’s not enough to survive: you have to plan to win.