Think international purchasing is simple? Think again.
International purchasing looks simple — until scale exposes the hidden complexity.
On paper, it’s straightforward: place an order, supplier ships it, weeks later the container arrives. In reality, anyone who’s done this knows it rarely works that smoothly.
As volumes grow, a simple order transforms into a web of financial and logistical obligations — all of which must align perfectly.
Where complexity hides
- Ownership transfer according to Incoterms.
- Invoices due while goods are still at sea.
- Transport that must be coordinated.
- Customs formalities that cannot cause delays.
- Customers waiting for delivery.
It’s a puzzle that quickly becomes unmanageable with spreadsheets and manual bookings.
Why in-transit visibility matters
The biggest challenge isn’t the booking — it’s knowing what’s actually happening while goods are in transit.
Without proper in-transit tracking:
- Finance loses track of which inventory is actually owned.
- Obligations do not appear on the balance sheet.
- Costs cannot be allocated correctly.
- Margin management becomes unreliable.
- Logistics and financial records fall out of sync.
Suddenly, even a routine import from China can feel risky and error-prone.
With Landed Cost in Dynamics 365, you get full visibility and control:
- Invoices are processed even while goods are at sea — fully IFRS-compliant.
- In-transit inventory is visible on the balance sheet, with clear ownership and control transfer according to agreements and Incoterms.
- Additional costs — freight, duty, insurance — are automatically added to inventory value.
- The entire journey is fully traceable.
It transforms uncertainty at sea into full financial and logistical control.
Why retailers benefit
Retailers gain insight into the true cost per product, including all additional charges. Pricing and margin management become reliable. Hidden costs no longer surprise you after the goods arrive.
For European retailers importing from China or other distant markets, this isn’t a luxury — it’s survival. Landed Cost turns global complexity into control, confidence, and growth.