Most US salon owners shop on the factory quote and then receive a second, larger invoice from a freight forwarder or customs broker. Importing salon equipment from China is rarely about the unit price alone — what actually leaves your bank account is the landed cost: product, freight, duty, clearance fees and last-mile delivery. This guide breaks down what goes into that number in 2026, how DDP changes the picture, and where salon owners quietly save money without cutting quality.
Quote Price vs Landed Cost: Why They Rarely Match
A factory quote covers the goods and, at most, getting them to an overseas port. Landed cost covers everything until the pallet is standing in your treatment room. The gap between the two is where budgets blow up: a bed quoted at a headline price can carry freight, duty and delivery that add a meaningful second layer. Ask any supplier for the full delivered number before you compare two quotes — otherwise you are comparing a partial price against a complete one.
What You Actually Pay
Six components make up almost every import. The trade term you agree decides who is responsible for each one, not habit or assumption.
| Cost component | What it covers | Who handles it |
|---|---|---|
| Factory price | Beds, chairs, tables and accessories as quoted | You pay the supplier |
| Freight | Sea or air transport to a US port or door | Forwarder, or supplier on DDP |
| Duty and tariffs | Customs duty on the declared value | Importer of record |
| Broker and port fees | Clearance, entry filing, terminal charges | Customs broker |
| Last-mile delivery | Port or warehouse to your salon address | Carrier |
| Setup and inspection | Assembly, checks, any rework | You, or the supplier on a turnkey deal |
Tariffs in 2026: What to Check Before You Order
US tariffs on Chinese goods have moved repeatedly through 2025 and 2026, and the rules differ by product and by country of origin. Two practical points matter for salon owners:
- Duty is calculated on the declared customs value, not on the shipping weight and not on a number invented to keep the invoice small. Under-declaring to “save duty” is a customs violation that lands on you as the importer of record, not on the factory.
- Refunds and exceptions exist. US Customs has been running phased refund programs for importers whose IEEPA-era tariffs were later struck down in court — customs advisers reported roughly $122 billion returned by mid-September 2026, with a further phase opening in early October. If you imported in that window and paid duty, ask your broker whether you have a claim.
Because rates change, the only safe approach is a current estimate in writing from a licensed customs broker before you sign a purchase order. A good supplier will hand you the HS code and commercial invoice details your broker needs.
DDP vs FOB vs CIF: Pick the Right Term
| Term | Where your responsibility starts | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| DDP | Supplier delivers to your door, duty paid | First imports and one predictable delivered price |
| FOB | You take over at the overseas port | Buyers who already have a forwarder and broker |
| CIF | Supplier covers freight and insurance to your port; you clear customs | Buyers who want the goods moved but cleared themselves |
For a salon buying its first container, DDP removes almost all of the customs admin: one invoice, one delivery date, no broker relationship to build. FOB can be cheaper per unit once you are importing regularly, but only if the savings beat the fees you now handle yourself.
How to Lower Landed Cost Without Cutting Quality
- Consolidate. One shipment of tables, chairs and trolleys beats three small ones, because port, clearance and delivery fees are paid per shipment, not per item.
- Buy factory-direct. Cutting a domestic dealer layer usually removes more from the delivered price than any duty negotiation. Many factories now work at MOQ 1 unit, so you can test a single piece before scaling.
- Lock the voltage spec up front. Confirm the motor and control voltage in writing. Nova builds to 110V-240V dual voltage, so a unit ordered for a US salon needs no step-up transformer and no rework on arrival.
- Ship to a commercial address with a dock. Residential delivery and liftgate service are surcharges you can often avoid by receiving at your salon or a nearby warehouse.
- Get the HS code early. The code drives the duty rate; a wrong code on the entry is a delay and a re-bill.
Documents Your Supplier Should Provide
Before the shipment leaves, ask for a commercial invoice, a packing list, the HS code, the bill of lading, a certificate of origin where applicable, CE documentation, the written warranty terms and an assembly guide. Missing paperwork is the single most common cause of a customs hold, and it always costs more to fix after the container has sailed. Our guide to DDP shipping from China to the USA covers the document set in detail.
Red Flags in an “All-In” Quote
- No Incoterm named — you cannot tell what is included.
- A duty estimate given without an HS code.
- A price that is far below every other quote with no explanation of what was removed.
- No named contact for spare parts after the sale.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it cheaper to import salon equipment from China?
Usually yes on unit price, because you buy factory-direct instead of through a domestic dealer and its margin. The saving narrows once freight, duty and delivery are added, so always compare landed cost, not the factory quote, against a US dealer’s delivered price.
Who pays the tariff when I import salon furniture?
Whoever is listed as the importer of record. On FOB or CIF terms that is you, even though the supplier arranged the shipment. On DDP terms the seller pays duty and delivers to your door. Confirm this in writing before you order.
What does DDP mean for a salon equipment order?
Delivered Duty Paid means your supplier handles freight, customs clearance and duty, then delivers to your address. You get one predictable price and no broker paperwork. It is the simplest option for a first import; FOB can be cheaper once you have your own forwarder.
How long does importing take?
Production typically runs about 10-15 days after deposit, then sea freight adds several weeks depending on the port. Ask for a realistic door-to-door estimate rather than a port-to-port figure.
Can I import just one or two pieces?
Yes. Factory-direct suppliers commonly work at MOQ 1 unit, which lets you test quality on a single bed or chair before committing to a full salon. Consolidating a few pieces into one shipment is almost always cheaper than sending them separately.
Ready to price a real order? Browse our spa equipment and salon furniture collections for factory-direct pricing with DDP shipping to the US, or read our wholesale buying guide before you request a quote.