Shipping guides
Air freight vs. sea freight
Air freight is fast and costs more per kilo. Sea freight is slow and costs far less per kilo. The right choice depends on how much you are sending and how soon it has to arrive.
The short comparison
| Air freight | Sea freight | |
|---|---|---|
| Transit | Days | Weeks |
| Charged by | Chargeable weight (kg) | Volume (CBM) or container |
| Sweet spot | 45 kg to a few hundred kg | 1 CBM and up, heavy goods |
| Restrictions | Stricter on batteries, liquids, chemicals | More flexible for heavy and bulky goods |
A rule of thumb
- Under 45 kg: use courier (express or economy)
- 45 kg to roughly 300 kg, or anything urgent: air freight
- More than about 1 to 2 CBM and not urgent: sea freight (LCL)
- More than about 15 CBM: consider a full container (FCL)
Hidden costs to compare
Sea freight has port charges, documentation fees and destination handling that air freight often bundles in. For small sea shipments these can outweigh the lower freight rate, so always compare door-to-door quotes, not just the freight rate.
Inventory thinking
For sellers restocking an overseas warehouse, a common pattern is a large sea shipment for steady stock plus small air shipments to cover gaps. It balances cost and the risk of running out.