Once your goods pass inspection, the next decision is how they travel. For most importers it comes down to sea versus air. Here's how we advise clients to choose.
Sea freight: the default for volume
Sea is dramatically cheaper per kilogram and handles large, heavy or bulky cargo that air can't economically move. The trade-off is time — expect several weeks in transit plus port handling. For full containers and non-urgent stock, sea is almost always the right call.
Air freight: speed at a premium
Air is fast — days, not weeks — and the better choice for high-value, low-weight or time-critical goods. You pay a large premium per kilogram, so it rarely makes sense for heavy or bulky shipments.
What forces the decision
Sometimes the cargo decides for you. Certain goods — large batteries, some chemicals, oversized items — face restrictions on one mode or the other. Getting this wrong causes customs holds and demurrage, so it's checked before booking, not after.
- Heavy or bulky, not urgent → sea freight
- High value, low weight, time-critical → air freight
- Restricted or hazardous cargo → mode confirmed before booking
It's not only the freight
The freight cost is one line. Customs clearance, documentation, insurance and final delivery all sit on top — and a missing document holds heavy cargo at the border. We coordinate the whole chain so the shipment moves without surprises.
