Overview
Choosing between sea and air freight impacts your costs, timeline, and cash flow. Here's how to decide.
Sea Freight
Transit time: 15-40 days depending on route
Cost: $3-6 per kg (approximate)
Best for:
- Large, heavy shipments
- Non-urgent orders
- Price-sensitive products
- Regular inventory replenishment
Options:
- FCL (Full Container Load) - Rent entire container
- LCL (Less than Container Load) - Share container space
Air Freight
Transit time: 3-7 days
Cost: $4-8 per kg (approximate)
Best for:
- Urgent orders
- High-value, low-weight items
- Samples and prototypes
- Seasonal products with tight windows
Cost Comparison Example
For a 500 kg shipment to USA:
| Factor | Sea (LCL) | Air |
|---|---|---|
| Freight Cost | ~$800 | ~$2,500 |
| Transit Time | 25-30 days | 5-7 days |
| Customs | Similar | Similar |
Breakeven: Air becomes cost-competitive for goods under 100kg or valued over $50/kg.
Decision Framework
Choose Sea When:
- Order is planned 6-8 weeks ahead
- Products are heavy or bulky
- Margins are tight
- You have existing inventory
Choose Air When:
- Stock-out situation
- Product launch deadline
- High-margin products
- Small, urgent orders
Need shipping quotes? Contact us for competitive rates on both options.