Reseller Inventory Carrying Cost Calculator
Calculate capital, storage, service, and risk costs, then test whether an unsold item earns enough extra net value to justify more holding time.
1. Build the annual carrying-cost rate
Use your average cost basis for inventory on hand—not hoped-for resale value. Enter annual dollar costs except for the capital rate.
Transparent cost stack
| Component | Annual amount | Method |
|---|---|---|
| Capital | $800.00 | Inventory value × annual capital rate |
| Storage | $1,200.00 | Rent, bins, utilities, or allocated space |
| Service | $240.00 | Insurance, software, handling, or admin |
| Risk | $560.00 | Shrink, damage, obsolescence, and write-downs |
2. Test hold versus sell now
Use net proceeds after platform fees and shipping for both exits. The tool applies the blended portfolio rate only to this item’s cost basis.
Holding clears the entered sell-now alternative after carrying cost.
Break-even future net: $74.67. Entered future route after added carry: $7.33 versus selling now.
Formula and scope
Annual carrying cost = capital cost + storage + service + risk. Carrying-cost rate = annual carrying cost ÷ average inventory cost basis. Item hold cost = item cost basis × annual carrying-cost rate × months ÷ 12.
This is operating decision support, not a tax inventory valuation method. Keep tax records and accounting treatment separate.
30-SKU audit template
Download a blank, labeled CSV with 30 SKU rows. It contains no observed sales or invented performance data; fill it with your own cost basis and exit estimates.
Evidence and next checks
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