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International Markup Calculator

Each tier takes margin on the price it paid.

Written and maintained by Mohit PatelLast checked August 4, 2026How we build these
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Exchange rates move constantly and no rate is stored here — enter the current mid-market rate from a source you trust. Everything below is arithmetic on the rate you provide.

Shelf price

$143.90

5.8× your unit cost

Your ex-works price$49.47
Distributor sells at$65.96
Retail before tax$119.92
Shelf price including VAT$143.90

Each step in the chain takes its margin on the price it paid, so the multiples compound. A 5.8× multiple from cost to shelf is normal for a three-tier distribution model, and it is why direct-to-consumer prices look so different for the same product.

How the International Markup Calculator works

Each step in a distribution chain takes its margin on the price it paid, so the multiples compound. A four-times multiple from cost to shelf is normal for three-tier distribution, which is why direct prices look so different for the same product.

Not financial advice. Marketplace fees change, and they vary by country, plan and seller status. Every rate here is an editable default, not a quoted price — check the platform's current fee schedule before you price a product against it. This is not tax or business advice.

Frequently asked questions

How do distribution markups compound?

Your price becomes the distributor's cost, their price becomes the retailer's cost, and each takes a margin on the price they paid. Three 30% margins produce a 2.9× multiple, not a 1.9× one.

What margins do distributors expect?

Commonly 20% to 35% depending on category and the services they provide. Retailers typically take 40% to 60%.

How do I price for export?

Work backwards from the shelf price you want and the margins each tier requires. Working forwards from your cost produces a shelf price nobody will pay.

Is direct-to-consumer always better?

Higher margin per unit, far more work per unit. Distribution buys reach and shelf space that would take years to build directly, and the multiple is the price of it.

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