When buying paper internationally, the paper price is only one part of the final cost. Freight can significantly influence the landed cost of paper and, ultimately, the competitiveness of paper in different markets.
At Dominus Paper, we believe international paper buyers should look beyond the quoted paper price and consider the complete cost of bringing paper from the supplier to the destination.
Why Freight Matters in the Paper Market
For example:
Paper Price: USD 600/MT
Freight & Related Costs: USD 100/MT
Landed Cost: USD 700/MT
If freight increases by USD 50/MT, the paper price has not changed — but the landed cost of paper increases to approximately USD 750/MT.
This is why freight can directly affect paper purchasing decisions, import costs and market competitiveness.
Global Shipping Routes Are Changing
Today, global shipping routes are facing increased uncertainty due to geopolitical tensions and disruptions around important maritime corridors.
The Red Sea and Suez Canal routes continue to face uncertainty, with many vessels using longer routes around the Cape of Good Hope. This can increase sailing distances, transit times, fuel consumption and freight costs.
At the same time, recent disruption around the Strait of Hormuz is creating additional pressure on global shipping and energy costs, adding another layer of uncertainty to international trade.
For paper exporters and paper buyers, changes in these routes can directly influence freight rates, delivery schedules and the final landed cost of paper.
The Same Paper Can Have a Different Landed Cost
A paper supplier may offer a competitive paper price, but a different shipping route or higher freight can make the final cost less competitive.
For example:
Supplier A: Lower paper price + higher freight
Supplier B: Higher paper price + lower freight
The better option is not always the supplier with the lowest paper price.
The real comparison should be:
Paper Price + Freight + Import Costs + Logistics = Landed Cost of Paper
Container Loading Also Matters
The quantity of paper loaded into a container can also change the freight cost per MT.
If a USD 2,000 container carries:
- 20 MT of paper → USD 100/MT freight
- 24 MT of paper → approximately USD 83/MT freight
Therefore, paper reel dimensions, sheet sizes, packing and container utilisation can have a meaningful impact on the final paper cost.
At Dominus Paper, these factors are important when planning international paper shipments.
What Paper Buyers Should Compare
Before purchasing paper internationally, buyers should consider:
- Paper price
- Paper specifications and quality
- Freight to destination
- Container loading
- Packing requirements
- Import duties and destination charges
- Transit time and shipping route
- Final landed cost
This gives a more realistic comparison between different paper suppliers.
Final Thought
The cheapest paper price does not always mean the cheapest paper to import.
With global shipping routes changing and freight costs influenced by geopolitical events, port conditions and vessel availability, understanding the complete landed cost is becoming increasingly important.
At Dominus Paper, our focus is not only on competitive paper pricing, but also on understanding the complete journey of paper — from quality and specifications to packing, freight, shipping routes and final landed cost.
Paper Price + Freight + Logistics = The True Cost of Paper
