Air Freight vs Sea Freight: How to Choose?

Air Freight vs Sea Freight: How to Choose?

Sea freight and air freight are two common methods of transportation for international shipping. Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages. In this post, we will discuss the differences between the two to help you make an informed decision when it comes to shipping your cargo.

• Requirements for Air Shipment vs Sea Shipment
• Transit Time for Air Freight vs Sea Freight
• Comparison of Air Freight and Sea Freight Costs
• Air Freight vs Sea Freight – Which is Better?
• Air Shipping vs Sea Shipping Carbon Footprint

Requirements for Air Shipment vs Sea Shipment

In international trade, sea shipping is commonly used to transport cargo. Almost all types of products can be transported by sea, except for prohibited goods. Moreover, sea freight has no restrictions on the volume and weight of goods.

In contrast, air freight is subject to many restrictions. For example, cargo cannot be delivered by air if it contains any dangerous goods, such as:

The above are the most common restricted items. However, DG cargo restricted by air freight can be transported by sea freight with an MSDS sheet.

• Explosives
• Gases
• Strong magnets
• Toxins and hazardous substances
• Flammable, radioactive, and corrosive items

In addition, air freight also has restrictions on the size and weight of cargo, because space on the plane is limited. Items that are extremely long or tall, such as large furniture, cannot be shipped by air. For specific requirements, you can ask your freight forwarder.

Transit Time for Air Freight vs Sea Freight

Undoubtedly, air shipping is much faster than sea shipping. Take Guangzhou to Los Angeles, for example. Under normal circumstances, air shipping takes 5 days with a direct flight. Sea shipping takes 30 days to arrive at the New York port from the Guangzhou port. If it is the peak season, sea shipping time will become longer.

There are two main reasons. On the one hand, the speed of ships is much slower than that of airplanes. On the other hand, compared to sea freight, air freight is less restricted by natural geography. The routes are generally point-to-point straight, which is the shortest distance between two places.

Because air freight is faster, it is suitable for emergency goods such as masks, medical equipment during epidemics, and some perishable items such as seafood.

Comparison of Air Freight and Sea Freight Costs

Air freight is significantly more expensive than sea freight. For example, let’s consider shipping 5 CBM (750kg) of general cargo from Ningbo port to New York port.

Air Freight Fees

Air cargo fees are charged based on the larger of the actual weight and the DIM weight of the goods. The actual weight is the weight of the goods and packaging as measured on the weighing machine. DIM weight is calculated based on the cargo volume using one of two methods:

DIM weight = total shipment volume (CBM) * conversion ratio, where the ratio for air freight is 1CBM = 167 KG.

DIM weight = total shipment volume (cubic centimeter) / DIM factor, where the DIM factor for air freight is 6000.

In this case, the DIM weight is 5CBM x 167kg = 835kg, which is greater than the actual weight of 750kg. Therefore, the fees are charged based on 835kg, assuming an air freight rate of $6.5 per kg. Thus, the air freight cost would be $6.5 x 835kg = $5427.5.

Sea Freight Fees

Sea freight can be either LCL or FCL. FCL shipping charges are based on the type and number of containers used, while LCL shipping charges are calculated per CBM. In this case, LCL sea freight is appropriate due to the small cargo volume.

Assuming a sea freight rate of $75/CBM, the LCL sea freight cost for 5CBM of goods would be $75 x 5CBM = $375.

In general, when shipping cargo between 1-13 CBM, LCL is usually used, while cargo over 17 CBM is shipped by FCL. For cargo between 13-17 CBM, the prices of both LCL and FCL should be compared to determine the cheaper option.

Air Freight vs Sea Freight – Which is Better?

When it comes to shipping, there are two main options: air freight and sea freight. Sea freight is slower but cheaper, while air freight is faster but more expensive. Air freight is the better choice for high-value goods like jewelry due to its speed and safety.

Both methods have their pros and cons, so it’s important to choose the one that suits your needs and budget. For example, if you’re a US-based Amazon FBA seller:

• If you need to replenish inventory quickly, consider the “Air Freight UPS Combined” option. It’s cheaper than Express, takes only 11-15 days, and is more flexible.
• If you can wait for about 20 days to receive your goods, the “Sea Freight UPS Combined” option is more cost-effective. It’s faster than traditional sea freight and saves you at least 10 days. Once your shipment arrives at the US port, it will be cleared at customs efficiently and transported by UPS to your address.

Air Shipping vs Sea Shipping Carbon Footprint

Nowadays, people are increasingly concerned about the environment and carbon emissions. According to an MIT study, air freight has a much greater carbon footprint than sea freight. A cargo plane produces 47 times more greenhouse gases than a cargo ship per ton of goods shipped per mile. While an airplane emits 500g of carbon dioxide per kilometer for one ton of cargo, a ship only needs to emit about 10g of carbon dioxide per kilometer. Furthermore, airplanes release emissions directly into the atmosphere, which has a greater impact on the environment. Therefore, sea freight is a more eco-friendly option.

As a leading sourcing company, we have helped over 4000 clients source products and arrange shipping. We work with long-time cooperative suppliers and forwarders to offer competitive prices and solve any problems that may arise during shipping. Additionally, we can assist with one-by-one quality control to ensure product quality before shipping out of China if you require it.