Air Freight vs Sea Freight: Choosing the Right Shipping Method

Speed vs. Cost

Your shipping choice balances two competing goals: getting products to market fast, and keeping landed costs low. Understanding the trade-offs helps you choose the right channel for each shipment.

When to Use Air Freight

Air freight costs more per unit but wins on speed — typically 3-7 days door-to-door. Choose air when you're:

• Restocking best sellers — inventory downtime costs more than freight
• Shipping high-value items — electronics with high per-unit value
• Running promotions — deadlines that can't slip
• Sending small volumes — under 100 kg, air is often sensible

When to Use Sea Freight

Sea freight is dramatically cheaper for large volumes. Choose sea when you're shipping more than a pallet of goods with a less urgent timeline — typically 25-40 days from port to port.

Calculating Total Landed Cost

Your landed cost includes freight, insurance, duties, customs clearance, and warehousing. Compare the full picture, not just the freight quote, before choosing a channel.

"The cheapest shipping method is rarely the cheapest overall — always calculate total landed cost."