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Air Freight vs Sea Freight: Making the Right Choice
Choosing between air freight and sea freight is one of the most important decisions in international shipping. Each mode offers distinct advantages depending on your cargo, timeline, and budget. This guide helps you decide.
Cost Comparison
Sea freight is typically 4-6 times cheaper per kg than air freight. A 500 kg shipment to East Africa might cost £500-800 by sea vs £2,500-4,000 by air. However, sea freight has higher minimum charges, making very small shipments sometimes comparable in cost.
Transit Time Comparison
Air freight: 1-7 days door-to-door to most destinations.
Sea freight: 14-35 days depending on destination and routing.
When to Choose Air Freight
- Time-critical shipments (spare parts, AOG, medical supplies)
- High-value goods where inventory holding cost exceeds freight differential
- Perishable goods requiring speed
- Small, lightweight shipments
- Seasonal goods with tight delivery windows
When to Choose Sea Freight
- Large volume shipments (15+ CBM)
- Non-urgent commercial goods
- Heavy or bulky cargo
- Vehicles and machinery
- Regular, planned supply chains where longer lead time is acceptable
Hybrid Solutions
For medium-sized shipments where budget and speed both matter, consider sea-air hybrid — cargo travels by sea to a hub port (e.g., Dubai) then transfers to air freight for the final leg, saving 30-40% vs full air freight while being faster than full sea freight.
How KAM Helps You Choose
Our team analyses your specific requirements — cargo type, value, urgency, destination, and budget — and recommends the optimal solution. Often a combination of modes delivers the best overall result.
Get expert advice: Call +44 (0) 208 573 2522.