Indonesian Canned Tuna Private Label: 2025 Complete Guide

A practical, bookmarkable playbook to calculate true landed cost per can for Indonesian private-label tuna in 2025. Includes FOB/CIF ranges, HS 1604 duty guidance, 40HQ capacity, packaging add-ons, testing, and realistic MOQs and timelines.

“I went from $0 to $10,247 in 90 days using this exact system.”

That line usually belongs in a side-hustle ad. For us, it was a buyer in California who simply didn’t have a clean landed-cost model. We rebuilt it from the ground up. The first full container shipped three months later, and the cost clarity alone avoided overpaying on freight, label setups, and duty classification. That one container saved $10,247. The method below is the same one we use every week.

The 3 pillars of landed cost you can actually control

Here’s the thing. Tuna pricing moves with raw fish, oil, tinplate, and freight. You can’t control all of that. But you can control three pillars that decide most of your landed cost per can:

Spec and pack format. Oil vs brine. Easy-open lid (EOE) or plain end. 170 g vs 185 g. Each choice adds or subtracts cents that compound by 48 cans per carton and 2,000+ cartons per 40HQ.
Packaging and artwork. Paper label vs printed can body. Label MOQs and plate fees. Carton print quality. These are small numbers per can, but they’re sneaky margin killers if you don’t model them.
Logistics math. 40HQ capacity is weight-limited, not cube-limited for tuna. And 2025 freight is volatile. Get the per-can math right and you avoid surprises when rates swing.

Practical takeaway: Lock spec early. Use paper labels unless you truly need printed cans. And model freight per can using weight-limited case counts, not rough CBM.

Week 1–2: Validate the spec, HS code, and duty

Which HS code applies, and what duty will I pay in the US/EU?

Use HS 1604 for prepared/preserved fish. For canned tuna, most shipments classify under 1604.14 (tunas, skipjack or bonito, whole or in pieces, not minced) in airtight containers. Oil vs brine matters for some destinations.

United States. Canned tuna typically enters under HTSUS 1604.14, with different lines for “in oil” vs “not in oil.” Historically, “in oil” attracts higher ad valorem duty than “not in oil,” and some “not in oil” lines are subject to quota. In practice, importers often plan 6–12.5% on CIF as a conservative range. Confirm exact classification and any quota status with your broker for 2025 before you price.
European Union. Canned tuna (CN 1604.14) generally faces a significant ad valorem MFN duty. Indonesia does not currently benefit from an EU FTA that zeroes that rate. Many buyers budget low-20s% on CIF as a planning number for 2025, then confirm the exact figure and any autonomous tariff quotas with their customs agent.

We recommend locking HS code at quote stage and running duty on CIF (FOB + ocean freight + insurance). If you need a quick read on your exact item, feel free to Contact us on whatsapp and we’ll point you to the right subheading to verify with your broker.

What’s a realistic 2025 FOB price for 170 g tuna in brine from Indonesia?

Our current quoting range for standard private-label, chunk light skipjack in brine, 170 g can, paper label, plain end:

FOB Indonesia: USD 0.92–1.08 per can (USD 44–52 per 48x carton)

Adds and deducts you should plan:

Oil pack: +0.08–0.15 per can depending on oil (sunflower/soy) and fill ratios.
Easy-open lid (EOE): +0.02–0.04 per can vs plain end.
Yellowfin or premium chunk/solid specs: +0.12–0.25 per can.
MSC/chain-of-custody: +0.05–0.12 per can depending on scope and documentation.

Note on trend: Tinplate and EOE premiums firmed in late 2024, and freight volatility in Q1 2025 is keeping FOB quotes tight. We’ve found locking a 2–3 month call-off window stabilizes pricing.

Week 3–6: Build your landed-cost model and confirm logistics

How do I calculate landed cost per can for Indonesian canned tuna?

Use this structure. It’s simple and it works:

Landed cost per can = FOB per can

Ocean freight per can
Insurance per can (usually 0.25–0.5% of CIF)
Duty on CIF per can
Destination charges per can (brokerage, port, drayage share)
Compliance/testing amortized per can
Warehouse handling per can (if you need landed-to-shelf)

A worked example to the US West Coast in 2025:

Spec: 170 g chunk light in brine, paper label, plain end
FOB: 1.04 per can
Freight: Jakarta to Los Angeles 40HQ at 7,000. Weight-limited load of 2,200 cartons (48/case) = 105,600 cans. Freight per can ≈ 7,000 / 105,600 = 0.066
Insurance: 0.30% of CIF. On a 48x carton with CIF ≈ 53.2, insurance ≈ 0.16/case = 0.003/can
Duty: assume 6% on CIF for “not in oil” line (verify!). Duty per can ≈ 0.066
Destination charges: broker + ISF + terminal + drayage share ≈ 1,100 per container. Per can ≈ 0.010

Estimated landed per can: 1.04 + 0.066 + 0.003 + 0.066 + 0.010 ≈ 1.185. Round to 1.19 per can before local warehouse handling.

EU example with higher duty:

Same CIF, freight to Rotterdam at 6,500. Freight per can ≈ 0.062. Duty budget at 20–22% on CIF adds roughly 0.22–0.24 per can. Landed often pencils at 1.32–1.36 per can before local logistics.

How many 170 g cartons fit in a 40HQ, and what’s the freight cost per can?

Key realities from our load sheets:

Carton for 48x 170 g typically weighs 10.5–12.5 kg gross and measures about 0.015–0.017 CBM. Tuna is weight-limited long before you cube out.
Practical 40HQ plan: 2,100–2,400 cartons of 48x 170 g, depending on carrier payload limits and road weight rules at origin and destination. We usually model 2,200 as a safe number.
Freight per 40HQ in early 2025: Indonesia to US West Coast 5,500–8,500. To US East Coast 7,500–11,000. To major EU ports 5,500–9,000. Converted to per can, most lanes land at 0.05–0.09 per can.

Label printing cost per can and other packaging adds

From our 2024–2025 invoices:

Paper label, 4-color, roll-fed: 0.007–0.015 per can at 50k–100k label MOQs.
Printed outer carton upgrade: +0.15–0.30 per carton vs plain. That’s +0.003–0.006 per can.
EOE vs plain end: +0.02–0.04 per can.
Artwork setup: 150–300 per SKU for labels and 100–250 per carton design at most printers. Spread across a 40HQ, it’s <0.002 per can. Digital runs can waive plates.

If you’re also building a broader frozen seafood line, we can coordinate labels across SKUs. For example, pairing tuna with whitefish like Grouper Fillet (IQF) in the same private-label family can improve print economics.

Week 7–12: Place the order, ship, clear, optimize

What MOQ and lead time should I plan for private label?

Our typical starting points for Indonesian canneries in 2025:

MOQ per SKU: 50,000–100,000 cans when using custom labels. If you bundle 2–3 SKUs, a single 40HQ is common. For trials, plain-label or house-label runs can start lower.
Lead time: 6–8 weeks production after artwork approval and deposit. Add 3–5 weeks transit to the US West Coast (longer to USEC/EU). First orders with new labels usually take 8–10 weeks end to end.

Compliance, testing, and the tiny costs that add up

Mercury/histamine testing: 50–150 per test depending on scope. Spread across a container, it’s fractions of a cent per can, but include it in your landed model.
FCE/SID (US): Indonesian canneries experienced with the US have this in place. You still need Prior Notice and your broker’s filings.
MSC/traceability premium: 0.05–0.12 per can if you require certified chain-of-custody and full trip trace. Useful when your retailers demand it.

Need help mapping duty and testing to your exact SKUs? Questions about your project? Call us and we’ll share a one-page template we use with buyers to avoid misses.

5 costly mistakes we see on private-label tuna (and how to avoid them)

Modeling container capacity by CBM alone. Tuna is weight-limited. Use 2,100–2,400 cartons of 48x 170 g per 40HQ in your math.
Ignoring “in oil” vs “not in oil” duty. In the US, this can swing your duty line materially. Confirm HS and quota exposure before you print labels.
Over-engineering packaging. EOE, sleeve, and high-ink coverage labels look great but can add 3–6 cents per can that you never recover on shelf. Spend where shoppers notice, not where margins die.
Missing freight volatility. 2025 opened with Red Sea diversions and tight capacity. Always model a low/likely/high freight range and set retail accordingly.
Not amortizing one-time costs. Artwork, audit, and initial compliance spread over volume are tiny. On small runs they punch above their weight. Either increase volume or keep packaging generic for trials.

Quick answers to the questions buyers ask us most

What’s the price difference oil vs brine?

Right now, brine is cheapest. Oil adds 0.08–0.15 per can on FOB. In the US, “in oil” lines can also face higher duty, which compounds the gap.

170 g can 48x carton CBM and weight?

Plan 0.015–0.017 CBM per carton, 10.5–12.5 kg gross. It varies by label stock, can ends, and carton board.

How many 185 g tuna cartons fit in a 40HQ?

Slightly fewer than 170 g because of weight. We model 2,000–2,200 cartons of 48x 185 g on a 40HQ.

FOB vs CIF for canned tuna from Indonesia?

FOB gives you freight control. CIF can work if you want a single price, but make sure the carrier, service level, and free time are clear. We quote both, then buyers typically choose FOB and fix their own freight.

Can I source inputs separately for value-added tuna lines?

Yes. If you’re building retort products or mixed seafood programs, we supply tuna inputs like Yellowfin Ground Meat (IQF) and Skipjack Cube (WGGS / IQF). Pairing canned tuna with frozen whitefish or steaks in one program can improve container efficiency. You can also View our products for broader SKU planning.

Resources and next steps

Landed-cost checklist: lock HS line, confirm duty on CIF, model freight per can using weight-limited carton counts, and amortize one-time costs.
Baseline 2025 planning numbers: FOB brine 170 g at 0.92–1.08 per can, freight 0.05–0.09 per can, US duty budget 6–12.5%, EU duty budget low-20s%.
When to pause: if your retailer insists on EOE + oil + high-ink labels at aggressive retails. Model first. You may need to trade spec or adjust margins.

If you want our working calculator with editable ranges for FOB, freight, and duty, send us a quick note on WhatsApp and we’ll share it. Need help with your specific situation? Contact us on whatsapp.

We’ve priced and shipped a lot of tuna. The reality is, a clean landed-cost model beats a low headline FOB every time. Get the math right once, then scale with confidence.