European-made lanyards and promotional towels manufactured by Lanyard.pro.

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Made in EU vs. a Shipment From Asia

Quick answer: An Asia-made offer looked 20% cheaper — after adding duties and shipping, the gap shrank to 4%. Lanyard.pro showed the real cost and certifications, winning back the order plus a new product category.

Key Facts

  • Client: corporate end client comparing EU and Asia-based suppliers
  • Trigger: the Asia-made offer appeared roughly 20% cheaper on unit price alone
  • Analysis: after duties and shipping, the real difference dropped to about 4%
  • Result: client returned to Lanyard.pro and added a new product category (towels)

A Price That Grows Once You Add Everything Up

The client was considering placing their next big order with a supplier manufacturing in Asia. At first glance, the unit price was tempting. The catch: customs duties, shipping time, and all the delay risk stayed on the client's side — with no EU compliance certifications included.

Numbers Instead of Opinions

We opened a conversation about the real cost, not just the unit price. Once duties and shipping were factored in, the supposed 20% price gap shrank to about 4%. We showed our certifications and two years of on-time delivery history.

The Result

  • The client came back to us with the order.
  • They expanded the partnership into a category we'd never even pitched — promotional towels.

FAQ

How do I calculate the real cost of importing from outside the EU?

Add customs duties, shipping costs, and a risk buffer for potential delays to the quoted unit price before comparing suppliers.

Are import duties the same for all promotional products?

No — duty rates vary by product category and material, so it's worth checking the specific classification for your order.

What are the risks of importing promotional products from outside the EU?

Longer lead times, customs delays, and less direct accountability if a quality issue arises during production.

Can EU-made products compete on price with Asia-made imports?

Often yes, once total landed cost — not just unit price — is compared fairly.

How do I verify a supplier's EU manufacturing claim?

Ask directly where production happens and request documentation or a facility reference to confirm it.

Summary

Unit price isn't the whole story. What matters just as much is who picks up the phone when something gets stuck at the border.

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Project Summary

Industry Corporate End Client
Country France
Product Lanyards & Promotional Towels
Material Cotton (towels) / Polyester (lanyards)
Quantity ~20,000 pcs combined
Production Time 5–7 business days
Delivery Time 2–3 business days
Challenge Competing Asia-based offer appeared 20% cheaper before duties and shipping
Solution Transparent cost comparison including customs, shipping, and certification value
Result Client returned and expanded into a new product category (towels)

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