TL;DR
- “Wholesale price” and “what you pay” are two different numbers. Landed cost in the US typically runs 1.7×–2.6× the FOB unit price once freight, duty, and last-mile are stacked on.
- Trampoline FOB pricing across the export market splits into four broad quality tiers, separated by frame thickness, mat material, net spec, and US-market compliance documentation.
- The single most expensive mistake first-time buyers make is comparing two FOB quotes side-by-side without checking whether both can actually clear US customs at the same duty rate.
- Section 301 tariffs on Chinese-origin trampolines are the largest swing factor in landed cost; rates change frequently and must be re-checked every order cycle.
- Rocheyard sees the strongest 2026 buyer demand at the mid-premium tier, where products carry full CPSC compliance and CPC certification — the legal floor for US import — and where retailers can still achieve 40%+ gross margin at typical retail price points.
Why “wholesale price” is the wrong question
Most first-time trampoline buyers ask a supplier the same opening question: “What’s your wholesale price for a 14ft round?” The answer they get back is technically correct and practically useless.
The reason is that the price a supplier quotes you on email is almost never the price you’ll pay. A typical supplier reply will list a per-unit FOB number — meaning the price for the unit loaded onto a vessel at a Chinese port. That number leaves out ocean freight, marine insurance, US import duty, federal fees, customs broker, drayage, and 3PL receiving. By the time the trampoline lands in your warehouse, the cost has typically grown into the 1.7×–2.6× FOB range depending on duty rates and freight conditions in the quarter you ship.
So the right question isn’t “what’s the wholesale price.” The right question is: “what’s my landed cost, and how does it compare against my retail price target?” If you’ve already read our broader guide to sourcing wholesale trampolines from China, this is the financial deep dive that complements it.
The four price tiers in the trampoline export market
Trampoline FOB prices from China cluster into roughly four quality tiers. Pricing varies by size, season, and supplier — so this guide describes tiers by specification, not by dollar values that go stale within months.
| Tier | Typical specification signals | US-buyer implication |
|---|---|---|
| Entry tier | 1.0–1.2 mm frame, thin zinc plating, PE mat, minimal net poles, usually no CPC on file. | Difficult to legally import for consumer sale unless the buyer handles testing and documentation. |
| Mid tier | 1.2–1.4 mm galvanized frame, PP mat, standard net configurations, CPC may or may not be available. | Common on Alibaba and at smaller distributors; documentation must be checked explicitly. |
| Mid-premium tier | 1.4–1.6 mm galvanized frame, premium PP or Permatron-style mat, padded poles, full CPSC compliance and CPC certification. | Rocheyard’s product range sits in this tier: US-market compliance plus durability expectations for backyard buyers. |
| Premium tier | 1.5–1.8 mm frame, multi-stage finishing, UV-stabilized mat, fully padded enclosure, branded packaging, premium OEM support. | Pricing reflects the premium build, packaging, and brand program. |
The practical implication for buyers: when you see two FOB quotes that look 30% apart at the same nominal size, you are almost always comparing different tiers — not the same product at different prices. The cheaper quote is rarely a “deal.” It is usually a different specification.
What drives the price difference between tiers
Six specification choices account for almost all of the FOB price spread between tiers. Understanding them lets you read a quote sheet with confidence rather than just trusting a supplier’s positioning.
- Frame steel grade and wall thickness. This is the single largest cost driver. A 14ft round trampoline frame uses roughly 30–40 meters of steel tube; moving from 1.2 mm to 1.6 mm wall thickness adds materially to steel cost and galvanizing time.
- Mat material. PE is the cheapest, PP is the working-class default, and Permatron-style woven material costs more upfront but is preferred by branded retailers selling to higher-AOV customers.
- Spring count, length, and gauge. A 14ft round can be built with different spring counts and lengths. Longer and more numerous springs improve feel up to a point, but they add steel and labor.
- Net configuration. Inner-net designs, pole count, pole padding, and net replacement compatibility all affect cost.
- Certification documentation. Producing CPC certification on a tested lot adds real cost. Suppliers who quote dramatically below their tier-mates often get there by skipping CPC, which transfers risk to the importer.
- Packaging and accessories. A bare-bones brown carton costs far less than a printed retail-ready carton with ladder, anchor kit, repair patch, and warranty card.
When you receive a quote, compare specs first and price second. A 14ft round at one price with 1.2 mm frame and PE mat is not actually cheaper than a 14ft round at a higher price with 1.5 mm frame and PP mat — it’s a different product.
From FOB to landed: the seven cost layers
Once you accept an FOB quote, seven cost layers stack between you and your warehouse. Skipping any one of them in your budget is how first containers turn into “we lost money on the order.”
- FOB unit cost — the per-unit price at the Chinese export port.
- Ocean freight — a 40HQ container from North China to the US West Coast has commonly priced in the $2,500–$5,500 range in 2026, with seasonal swings.
- Marine insurance — typically about 1% of cargo value.
- US import duty — trampolines classify under HTS 9506.91.0030 with a base general duty rate of 4.6% as of 2026. Chinese-origin product is also subject to Section 301 tariffs. Always verify the current rate at the USITC HTS database or with your licensed customs broker before pricing your order.
- Federal fees — Merchandise Processing Fee and Harbor Maintenance Fee.
- Customs broker — typically $80–$200 per entry. A licensed broker is non-optional for first-time importers.
- Drayage and 3PL receiving — port-to-warehouse trucking, chassis fees, dwell time, and receiving/putaway.
Add all seven and you have your true landed cost, which is the only number that matters for retail pricing.
A worked landed-cost example: 14ft round, 40HQ container
The example below uses illustrative numbers, not Rocheyard quotes. Your actual figures will differ by supplier, route, and current policy.
Assume:
- 14ft round trampoline with safety enclosure, mid-premium tier specification
- FOB Qingdao: $130/unit, illustrative
- Carton size approximately 156 × 41 × 31 cm, about 36 kg per unit
- Roughly 88 units per 40HQ on this carton spec
- Destination: a 3PL warehouse in Long Beach, CA
| Cost layer | Amount per unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| FOB unit cost | $130.00 | Mid-premium 14ft round |
| Ocean freight: 40HQ to LA | $45.45 | $4,000 ÷ 88 units |
| Marine insurance | $0.91 | Approximately 1% of FOB |
| US duty: 4.6% base + current Section 301 | Verify at USITC before pricing | Apply combined rate to declared FOB value |
| MPF + HMF | $0.68 | Federal fees split across container |
| Customs broker | $1.70 | Per-entry fee split across container |
| Drayage to Long Beach 3PL | $7.39 | $650 ÷ 88 units |
| 3PL receiving + putaway | $5.00 | Per unit |
| Subtotal, excluding duty | ~$191 | About 1.47× FOB before duty |
| With duty applied | Landed cost varies with current rate | Section 301 has historically pushed total to 1.9×–2.6× FOB |
What this example illustrates is not the specific dollar number — that will move with policy and freight markets — but the structure. Ocean freight is a major line item, duty is the largest swing factor, and the remaining layers are small individually but cumulative.
This also explains why mixed-SKU container support matters. If your buying volume on a single SKU isn’t enough to fill a 40HQ, a supplier who lets you mix SKUs in one container preserves FCL economics. Rocheyard supports mixed-SKU 40HQ containers down to 30 units per SKU specifically because this is the gap most factories don’t serve well.
How seasonal and policy shifts change pricing
Three forces move trampoline pricing meaningfully through the year:
- Lunar New Year. Chinese factories shut for approximately 4 weeks, late January through mid-February. Buyers who plan around this calendar pay normal pricing; buyers who don’t can miss the spring sell-through window.
- Peak shipping seasons. Pre-Lunar-New-Year and the August–October pre-Christmas rush tighten ocean freight capacity. During these windows, 40HQ rates from North China to the US West Coast can rise meaningfully above off-season rates.
- Section 301 and trade policy shifts. Tariff rates on Chinese-origin trampolines have moved several times since 2018 and continue to move. Always re-check the current rate at the USITC HTS database before each new order.
How to spot anomalously low quotes
A quote that looks 30% cheaper than its peers is almost always one of three things: a different specification tier, missing certification documentation, or a supplier hiding cost they’ll add later.
- No CPC documentation. A 14ft round at a price far below the rest of your shortlist usually means the supplier has skipped CPC testing.
- Frame thickness understated. Quote sheets sometimes list “1.5 mm frame” when the actual production frame is 1.2 mm. Always request a sample and measure with calipers before bulk deposit.
- Vague carton dimensions. A serious wholesale quote includes carton L×W×H and weight, plus units per 40HQ.
- Wire-only payment, no LC option. Most established factories offer T/T 30/70. A supplier insisting on 100% upfront for first orders is signalling risk.
- Sample refused or inflated to discourage you. A supplier who is confident in their product welcomes a paid sample.
The 12-point supplier vetting checklist in our supplier comparison guide covers these signals in detail.
Reverse-engineering retail price from landed cost
The only number that matters for retail decision-making is how landed cost compares to your retail price. Suppose you source a mid-premium 14ft round trampoline at FOB $130, with a landed cost of approximately $220 per unit, including current duty rates you must verify. You’re selling on Amazon FBA.
| Layer | Cost per unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Landed cost | $220 | From the example above |
| FBA fulfillment fee | $45–$55 | Verify current Amazon rates in Seller Central |
| Amazon referral fee | ~$32 | Illustrative 8% category rate on a $399 sale |
| Inbound shipping to FBA | ~$8 | Freight prep + label cost amortized |
| Total Amazon-fulfilled cost | ~$305 | Your true cost-of-sale |
- At $399 retail: gross margin is about $94 per unit, or 24%.
- At $499 retail: gross margin is about $194 per unit, or 39%.
- At $599 retail: gross margin is about $294 per unit, or 49%.
The difference between profitable and not-profitable is not the wholesale price. It’s the gap between your landed cost and your achievable retail price. ASP matters more than unit margin percentage, because a higher-ticket trampoline can generate materially more gross profit per unit.
What Rocheyard sees in 2026 buyer pricing patterns
Across the 800+ 40HQ-equivalent containers Rocheyard has shipped to date and our 20+ active US wholesale clients, three pricing patterns are consistent in 2026.
- Mid-premium has decisively won the assortment battle. Buyers who tried to compete on entry-tier pricing have largely moved up because cheap-trampoline marketplace economics no longer support advertising spend.
- Mixed-SKU container loads are accelerating. Buyers increasingly want combinations such as 14ft round, 12ft round, and rectangle SKUs in one container. Rocheyard’s mixed-SKU support down to 30 units per SKU exists for exactly this buyer behavior.
- Multi-container staged delivery is becoming a cash-flow advantage. Rocheyard’s staged delivery cadence — first container approximately 30 days after deposit, with each subsequent container at roughly 8-day intervals — turns the same total order into a phased inventory build.
The buyers winning in 2026 treat landed cost, retail margin, and cash flow as one connected system rather than chasing the lowest FOB number. The math, policy environment, and freight market all reward this approach.
Frequently asked questions
What’s a fair FOB price for a 14ft round trampoline from China in 2026?
There isn’t a single fair price — there’s a fair price for each specification tier. A 1.2 mm-frame, PE-mat, no-CPC entry-tier product trades at very different FOB pricing from a 1.5 mm-frame, PP-mat, CPSC+CPC mid-premium product. Compare specs first; compare prices second.
Why is my landed cost almost 2× my FOB?
Because seven cost layers stack on top of FOB: ocean freight, marine insurance, US import duty, MPF and HMF, customs broker, drayage, and 3PL receiving. Excluding duty, the landed-to-FOB ratio is typically around 1.5×; with duty applied, it commonly runs 1.9×–2.6×.
Should I trust a $40 FOB quote on a 14ft trampoline?
No. A $40 FOB quote almost certainly means missing components, missing CPC paperwork, or both. The price is a red flag, not an opportunity.
How does Section 301 affect my trampoline pricing today?
Significantly, but the specific rate changes too often to quote here. Verify the current Section 301 rate for HTS 9506.91.0030 at the USITC HTS database before pricing each order.
Does Lunar New Year really change trampoline pricing?
Yes. Factories shut for approximately 4 weeks and ocean freight capacity tightens in the pre-LNY window. Buyers who plan around the calendar avoid both effects.
What retail markup do most US trampoline retailers use?
Online sellers often model 1.5×–1.8× landed cost as MAP, while brick-and-mortar retailers may target keystone or higher. The right markup is the one your channel can actually sell at.
Can I lower my landed cost by buying smaller quantities?
Almost always no. LCL freight runs much higher per unit than FCL. The better path is mixed-SKU container loading, which preserves FCL economics across several SKUs in one container. Rocheyard supports mixed-SKU 40HQ containers down to 30 units per SKU for this purpose.
Next steps
Once you’ve worked through your landed-cost math, three further reads sharpen the picture:
- Our guide to sourcing wholesale trampolines from China walks through the supplier-discovery and vetting process that produces an FOB quote in the first place.
- Our trampoline sizes guide covers the demand and margin patterns at each common size.
- If you’re ready to start a structured wholesale conversation, request a wholesale quote from Rocheyard. Share your target products, quantity range, and destination; we reply within one US business day.
The buyers who succeed in this category aren’t the ones who find the cheapest FOB quote. They’re the ones who model landed cost honestly, factor in policy and seasonal swings, and pick the specification tier where the retail-margin math actually works.