One of the most important decisions when importing is how your cargo travels: by ship or by plane. The wrong choice can cost you extra or make you wait weeks unnecessarily. Here we explain the key differences and when each mode is best.
In this guide
Ocean freight
Ocean freight is the workhorse of international trade: it moves most of the world's cargo. It's much cheaper per kilo and handles large volumes (a whole container), but it's slower (weeks) and runs on scheduled sailings.
Air freight
Air freight is fast (days instead of weeks) and very reliable on timing, but more expensive per kilo. It's charged by chargeable weight (the greater of actual and volumetric weight), so it's best for compact, urgent or high-value cargo.
Side-by-side comparison
| Aspect | Ocean | Air |
|---|---|---|
| Cost per kilo | Low | High |
| Transit time | Weeks | Days |
| Ideal volume | Large / heavy | Small / compact |
| Best for | General cargo, low cost | Urgent, high value, perishables |
| Carbon footprint | Lower | Higher |
Which is best for you
Choose air if you need the goods fast, they're high-value, perishable, or the volume is small and compact.
Many importers combine both: ocean for the bulk of inventory and air for urgent restocks. If your cargo goes by sea, the next step is deciding between FCL and LCL.
Not sure which mode is cheaper for you? Ask us for a quote and we'll compare the options with real numbers for your cargo.
Written by the VS Logistics team.
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