Air Freight v Sea Freight: Guide for Importers & Exporters
Moving goods internationally can be a logistical nightmare, requiring specialist skills and experience. Whether you choose to transport your goods by air, sea or road (or a combination of all three), there are many factors to take into consideration, including cost, timeframes, reliability and capacity.
When it comes to importing or exporting goods in Australia, you have the choice of two options - air freight or sea freight. Each option has its own pros and cons which can complicate the decision-making process, especially for new importers or exporters.
So, which mode of transport is best? We’ve put together this handy guide to help you make the best decision for your specific situation.
Air Freight
Air freight is the best option if you need to import or export goods fast. Often used for high value and low volume shipments, air freight is the obvious choice if you’re working to tight delivery timeframes. You pay for this advantage, however, as air freight is usually more expensive than moving goods by sea, although the smaller the shipment, the smaller the margin becomes between the two transport options.
Air freight can be a safer way to move goods compared to transporting cargo on rough seas, although air travel can also be impacted and delayed by bad weather. There are limits on the size and weight of goods that can be transported by air, as well as stricter regulations on what can be carried on aircraft, which could impact your decision. For smaller and higher-value goods, air freight is a quick, safe and reliable option for both importers and exporters.
Sea Freight
While sea freight can’t compete with the delivery speeds of air freight, it is a reliable and cost effective option, especially when transporting goods in bulk. Generally, a cheaper choice than air freight, there are other costs that need to be considered when choosing sea freight, namely warehousing fees at seaports, which can be more expensive than those at airports. On the other hand, sea freight is more environmentally friendly than air travel, with a smaller carbon footprint.
If your goods are heavy, big or large in number, sea freight will more likely be the best option for you. Modern freight ships offer more capacity for bulky goods than cargo planes and don’t share the same restrictions as air travel. Costs for sea freight are often more stable than air freight, giving greater certainty to importers and exporters, while the option of using FCL shipping (full container load) or LCL (less than a container load) helps you get the most value.
Air Freight v Sea Freight
If you’re still wondering which option is best for you, this table might help. It provides a quick overview of the pros and cons of each method and might help you decide on which mode of transport will work best for your goods.
FACTORS
Reliability
Cost
Time
Capacity
Journey
AIR FREIGHT
Reliable, risk in bad weather
More expensive
Quicker
Less capacity, more restrictions
Direct, less stops
SEA FREIGHT
Reliable, risk at sea
Less expensive
Slower
More capacity, less restrictions
Longer, multiple stops
As you can see, each mode of freight transport has its own benefits and choosing the right one for you is dependent on many factors. In the end, your decision will be based on your budget, the types of goods being transported, your timeframes, the size of your cargo and any necessary deadlines that need to be met.
Whichever mode of transport you ultimately choose, it’s a good idea to engage the services of a licensed customs broker or experienced freight forwarder to ensure a smooth process. Customs brokers and freight forwarders understand the import and export process, know the operations of seaports and airports and can guide you on the best way to transport your goods as quickly and as safely as possible.
PJ's Customs are experts in importing and customs brokerage and are here to guide you in choosing and organising the right transport options for your goods. To find out how we can help, drop into our Darwin office, email us logistics@pjscustoms.com.au or give us a call on 1300 395 760 for more information.