Why spreadsheets break down when landed cost matters

Spreadsheets vs Real Import Operations

Spreadsheets work when volumes are small and variables are stable.

Importing is neither.

Once you deal with:

• Mixed-SKU shipments
• Freight allocation
• FX fluctuations
• Clearance differences
• Multiple suppliers and routes

Spreadsheets stop being flexible and start being fragile.

Where Spreadsheets Break Down

Spreadsheets cannot reliably:

• Allocate shipment-level costs across SKUs
• Track FX differences across multiple payments
• Recalculate landed cost when actuals differ
• Maintain a full audit trail per shipment
• Update inventory values automatically
• Show real margins once stock is received

The result is manual work, hidden errors, and decisions based on outdated data.

How FlowIQ Replaces Spreadsheets

FlowIQ is not a spreadsheet replacement — it’s a purpose-built import costing software for import and inventory complexity.

Instead of static cells, FlowIQ uses structured data:

• Shipments as cost containers
• SKUs as cost recipients
• Rules-based cost allocation
• Automatic recalculation on receipt

Every number is traceable. Every margin is real.

FlowIQ vs Spreadsheets at a Glance

The Real Cost of Staying on Spreadsheets

Businesses staying on spreadsheets experience:

• Undetected margin erosion
• Incorrect pricing decisions
• Excess cash tied up in the wrong stock
• Late discovery of loss-making SKUs
• Increasing admin workload as volume grows

FlowIQ eliminates these risks by making accurate costing the default.

Who Should Move Beyond Spreadsheets

FlowIQ is the right step if you:

• Import products regularly
• Manage multiple SKUs per shipment
• Deal with freight, duty, and FX complexity
• Need reliable margin visibility
• Want to scale without scaling admin

Frequently Asked Questions