The trade-off in one line
Sea freight costs less but takes longer; air freight arrives faster but costs more. When comparing air freight vs sea freight from China, the right choice depends on volume, value, and your timeline.
Sea freight (LCL / FCL)
- Best for: large volumes, low value-per-volume, non-urgent orders
- Cost: lowest per unit — shared container (LCL) or full container (FCL)
- Lead time: weeks — typically 20–40 days depending on route
Air freight
- Best for: small volumes, high value-per-volume, urgent launches, samples
- Cost: highest per unit — priced by weight and volume
- Lead time: days — typically 3–10 days depending on route
How to decide
- Compare total landed cost — freight plus the cost of waiting
- Estimate the cost of delay: a missed launch date has a real price
- Split the order if needed — sea for the bulk, air for the urgent part
Freight is a decision, not an afterthought. Choosing it deliberately saves real money and real launches.
See also: Shipping from China and import compliance and Deliver.