Private Label
Private Label Cookware Costs: The Full Breakdown
Founders consistently underestimate private label costs by 30-50% - not because factories overcharge, but because of the costs nobody mentions upfront. Here is the complete picture.
1. Unit manufacturing cost
The per-piece factory price: materials + labour + overhead + margin. Triply costs more than single-ply steel (three metals, bonding process) - and commands higher retail, protecting your margin.
2. One-time costs
- Samples: $50-$300 per SKU (plus courier)
- Tooling: $0 for catalogue shapes; $2,000-$15,000+ for custom dies
- Engraving plates: often a few hundred dollars
- Packaging design: $500-$2,000 if you hire a designer
3. Per-order costs
- Custom cartons: printed boxes cost more than plain - budget per unit
- Inspection: $200-$400 per pre-shipment inspection
- Freight: sea freight per CBM; the silent margin-killer on bulky cookware
- Duties & taxes: check your HS code rate before you price retail
- Last-mile: port → warehouse → Amazon/retailer
The landed-cost formula
Landed cost = (unit price × qty + tooling share + packaging + inspection + freight + insurance + duties) ÷ qty. Price your retail at 3-5x landed cost for a healthy business after marketplace fees and marketing.
Frequently asked questions
What is a healthy margin for private label cookware?
Aim for 3-5x markup on landed cost at retail, leaving room for marketplace fees (~30-40%), marketing and returns.
What is the biggest hidden cost?
Freight and duties - bulky cookware eats margin in shipping. Always quote DDP-equivalent before committing.
Have a cookware project in mind?
We manufacture triply cookware and supply tri-ply circles for OEM, private label and distribution. Tell us your specs - we reply with a quote.