Air freight vs ocean freight: how to choose
Air freight moves cargo in one to five days at a higher cost per kilogram, with tight dangerous goods and size limits; ocean freight moves larger and heavier cargo in two to six weeks at a far lower cost per unit. Choose air when the cost of delay exceeds the premium, ocean when volume, weight or hazmat class rule air out.
Transit time
Air: one to five days door to door depending on lane and customs. Ocean: roughly 10 to 20 days trans-Atlantic, 20 to 40 days trans-Pacific and to Australia, plus consolidation time for LCL.
Cost
Air is priced per kilogram on chargeable weight and is typically several times the cost of ocean for the same shipment. Ocean is priced per container or per cubic meter for LCL. The comparison should include inventory carrying cost, safety stock and the cost of a delayed production line, not only the freight invoice.
Cargo limits
Size and weight
Air freight is limited by aircraft door dimensions and floor loading; ocean accepts anything up to breakbulk and RoRo scale.
Dangerous goods
IATA restricts classes, quantities and packaging more tightly than the IMDG Code; some products cannot fly at all.
Bulk liquids
ISO tanks and flexitanks move by ocean; liquids by air ship in small packaged quantities.
When to choose which
- Air: line-down parts, samples, high-value or perishable cargo, missed ocean cutoffs
- Ocean: full production runs, machinery, bulk liquids, hazmat that air will not accept
- Both: air for the first lot to start production, ocean for the balance
- Charter: outsize or urgent cargo that scheduled air cannot carry
Air vs ocean FAQ
How much more does air freight cost than ocean?
Commonly four to eight times the ocean cost per unit, varying with lane, fuel and season. The full comparison includes inventory and delay costs.
Can hazardous materials fly?
Many can within IATA DGR limits, with lower quantity limits and stricter packaging than ocean. Some substances are forbidden by air.
What is chargeable weight?
Air freight is billed on the greater of actual weight or volumetric weight, so light bulky cargo pays for the space it occupies.
Can you quote both modes?
Yes. Send the shipment details and required date and we quote air and ocean side by side.
Quote air and ocean for your shipment
Send the product, origin, destination and timing. 732-817-0401 or quotes@totalconnection.com.
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