Are you shipping internationally and weighing up the cost of air freight vs sea freight? When choosing the best option, you need to align your shipping needs with your business goals while balancing your budget, delivery timelines, and environmental priorities. Getting this decision right will help your bottom line and leave a lasting impression on your customers.
Quick View: Air Freight Vs Sea Freight Cost Comparison
| Factor | Air Freight | Ocean Freight |
| Transit Time | Fast, often just a few hours to a few days | Slower, typically 20-30 days or more, depending on the route. |
| Cost Balance | Higher price per kg so suitable for urgent deliveries | More economical, especially for large or bulk shipments |
| Cargo Suitability | Best for smaller, high-value, or time-sensitive goods (e.g. electronics, perishables) | Ideal for bulk shipments, heavy machinery, or non-urgent goods |
| Environmental Impact | Higher carbon footprint | Lower carbon footprint, more environmentally friendly |
| Best For | Speed and urgency | Budget-friendly shipping with less urgency |
Things to Consider When Deciding Between Air Freight and Sea Freight
How quickly does the shipment need to arrive?
If your shipment is time-sensitive, such as perishable cargo like fresh produce or pharmaceuticals, air cargo is the obvious mode of transport. It can deliver goods within days or even hours, depending on the destination. This is especially useful for meeting tight supply chain deadlines or avoiding penalties for late deliveries.
However, speed comes at a premium. Sea freight, while slower, is far more budget-friendly. For businesses shipping non-urgent goods, waiting a few extra weeks may be worth the savings.
What are you shipping?
The type of goods is one of the most significant factors in deciding your mode of freight transportation.
Air freight is often the best choice for smaller shipments, particularly high-value or urgent ones. The speed and reliability of air transport means these goods arrive quickly and in excellent condition.
Sea freight is ideal for larger shipments and specific types of cargo like raw materials, large quantities of consumer goods, or industrial equipment. Sea freight is generally better for goods that won’t neatly fit into a container, as ocean transport offers other types of cargo shipping. For example, sea freight is an affordable solution for breakbulk shipping, where goods are transported individually in boxes, crates or barrels instead of containers. It’s also well-suited for heavy, oversized items classified as out-of-gauge cargo, like industrial machinery or other equipment that doesn’t fit into standard containers.
Is the environmental impact a priority?
If sustainability is important to your business, using sea freight is a better option. Compared to air freight, it’s far more environmentally friendly, producing significantly fewer carbon emissions per shipment. In fact, long-haul flights emit 47 times more greenhouse gases than ocean freight per ton per mile.
Sending goods by aeroplane has a much higher environmental impact due to fuel consumption, CO2 emissions and quicker transit times. However, some logistics providers offer carbon offsetting options for air freight. This involves funding projects such as reforestation or renewable energy initiatives to compensate for the emissions generated by your shipment. While air shipping is sometimes unavoidable, these programmes can help reduce your environmental impact and align with your sustainability goals.
Air Vs Sea Freight Cost
| Factor | Air Freight | Sea Freight |
| Basis for Charges | Weight or volumetric weight (whichever is greater) | Volume (CBM) or per-container charge |
| Typical Units | Per kilogram | Per cubic meter (CBM) or per container |
| Surcharges | Fuel, security, handling | Port, terminal handling, documentation |
| Cost per Unit | Higher per kg | Lower per CBM |
How much does air shipping cost?
Air freight transportation charges depend on either the actual weight of your shipment or its volumetric weight, whichever is higher. Volumetric weight considers the size of your shipment, so even lightweight items like clothing or electronics can end up costing more if they take up a lot of space on the aircraft.
On top of this, there are additional surcharges to keep in mind. Fuel costs, security fees, and handling charges are all standard for international air freight, making it a higher-priced option overall. The price per kilogram is significantly higher than sea freight, but you’re paying for faster delivery and reliability, making it worth it for time-sensitive or high-value goods.
How is Ocean Freight charged?
Ocean freight transport charges are usually based on the size of your shipment, measured in cubic metres (CBM), or on a flat fee for a full container. If you’re shipping a full container load (FCL), you’ll pay for the whole container, no matter how much of it you use. For smaller shipments, less-than-container load (LCL) pricing allows you to share the space (and expenditure) with other cargo.
There are also some extra overheads to keep in mind, like port fees, terminal handling charges, and paperwork costs. These can add up, so it’s worth factoring them in when planning your budget.
Tips to Keep Your Freight Affordable
By taking a proactive approach, you can keep your shipping expenses manageable while still delivering great value to your customers. With a few smart strategies, you can streamline your freight outlays and protect your bottom line.
Careful Packing and Packaging
The way you pack your goods will significantly impact your freight expenditure. For air freight, opting for lightweight and compact packaging minimises volumetric weight, which helps reduce charges. With ocean shipping, efficient use of container space means you only pay for what’s necessary, avoiding the expense of unused capacity.
Choose Off-Peak Times to Ship
Timing will make a big difference in what you pay for freight. During peak seasons like the run-up to Christmas or Chinese New Year, higher demand drives up rates, particularly for air freight. By planning shipments for quieter periods, you can take advantage of lower prices and greater availability.
Consolidate Shipments
Combining smaller shipments into one larger load is a simple way to save money. Sea freight is especially flexible, with less-than-container load (LCL) options allowing you to share container space with other businesses. Consolidation not only reduces overheads but also makes shipping more efficient.
Speak to Logistics Experts for the Best Prices and Routes
Managing freight is complicated, but the right partner will take the stress out of the process. At SL Global Logistics, we specialise in finding cost-effective solutions for your business. From securing competitive rates to planning smarter shipping strategies, we make freight simple and affordable.
Need Help Making a Decision Between Air Freight or Sea Freight?
When it comes to air freight vs sea freight costs, making the right choice will save your business time and money. Whether you’re prioritising speed or keeping things budget-friendly, here at SLG Logistics, we’ll provide expert guidance to find the solution that works best for you when your shipping to ASEAN countries from the UK.
Ready to make your next shipment stress-free? Contact us today for professional advice and a personalised quote.