International Sea and Air Shipping – Which is Best for Your Business

Table of content

1. International sea and air shipping – what is the difference and for what types of goods to use
2. How long does it take to ship from China to the USA by air?
3. How long does it take to ship from China to the USA by sea?
4. What is the shipping cost from China to the USA by air and by sea
5. Combined method

 

International sea and air shipping – what is the difference and for what types of goods to use

International sea and air shipping are the two most popular methods for overseas shipping.

Sea shipping involves transporting goods by ship or vessel across oceans, seas, or other bodies of water. This method of shipping is typically used for transporting large quantities of goods where the speed of shipment is not very important. Sea shipping is often the preferred method for businesses for the majority of their shipments because it is significantly less expensive than air shipping.

Air shipping, on the other hand, involves transporting goods by airplane. This method of shipping is typically used for transporting smaller quantities of goods or products that need to be delivered quickly, such as perishable items or time-sensitive materials. Air shipping is faster than sea shipping, but it is generally multiple times more expensive.
Sea shipping is the best way to transport large and heavy goods or goods that are not time-sensitive. For example:

• Bulky items: Sea shipping is ideal for bulky items such as furniture, machinery, and vehicles, as it can accommodate large volumes and heavy weights.
• Raw materials: Sea shipping is often used to transport raw materials such as minerals, ores, and chemicals that are not time-sensitive and can be transported over longer periods of time.
• Consumer goods: Consumer goods such as apparel, footwear, and electronics are also commonly transported via sea shipping due to the lower cost of transportation.
• Perishable goods: While perishable goods are typically shipped by air, sea shipping can be a viable option for certain types of perishable goods, such as frozen or refrigerated products that can be transported in special containers.

 

Air shipping is ideal for the following types of goods:

• High-value items: Air shipping is ideal for high-value items such as electronics, jewellery, and luxury goods, as it provides a faster and more secure transportation option.
• Perishable goods: Perishable goods such as fresh produce, flowers, and pharmaceuticals are often shipped by air to ensure they reach their destination quickly and maintain their freshness.
• Time-sensitive goods: Air shipping is the best option for time-sensitive goods such as urgent documents, samples, and prototypes that require immediate delivery.
• Small shipments: Air shipping is a cost-effective option for small shipments that have a high value-to-weight ratio, such as spare parts or prototypes.

 

How long does it take to ship from China to the USA by air?

The time it takes to ship from China to the USA by air varies depending on the shipping company, the specific route taken, and any customs or other clearance procedures required. Generally speaking, air shipping from China to the USA can take anywhere from 5 to 15 days, depending on the level of service and the distance between the origin and destination.

For example, express air shipping services such as FedEx, DHL, or UPS typically offer delivery within 5 business days for most locations in the USA, while standard air shipping services can take anywhere from 5-10 business days.

However, transit times can be longer if there are any delays in customs clearance or if there are any disruptions in air transportation due to weather or other factors.

How long does it take to ship from China to the USA by sea?

Generally, sea shipping from China to the USA takes around 4 to 6 weeks, depending on the distance and any potential delays.

For example, shipping from Shanghai to the West Coast of the USA typically takes around 2 to 3 weeks, while shipping to the East Coast of the USA can take up to 6 weeks. However, the transit time can be longer if there are any disruptions in sea transportation due to customs clearance, customs inspections, congestion at the port, weather or other factors.

It’s important to keep in mind that the transit time only includes the time in transit and does not account for the time required for customs clearance or any other formalities. Additionally, it’s always a good idea to check with the shipping company for specific transit times and to plan accordingly to avoid any potential delays.

What is the shipping cost from China to the USA?

The shipping cost from China to the USA varies depending on various factors such as the shipping method, shipping company, the weight and size of the shipment, the distance between the origin and destination, and the level of service required.

For sea shipping, the cost is typically lower than air shipping but the transit time is longer. On average, sea shipping costs around $1,000 to $5,000 for a 20-foot container and $1,500 to $8,000 for a 40-foot container, depending on the factors mentioned above. This does not include import duties at the country of destination.

For air shipping, the cost is typically higher but the transit time is much shorter. On average, air shipping costs around $4 to $10 per kilogram (kg), depending on the weight and size of the shipment, the level of service required, and the shipping company used.

 

Combined method

Combining air and sea shipping can be a good way to balance cost and speed when transporting goods from China to the USA.

Here are some strategies that can be used to combine air and sea shipping:

Use air shipping for urgent or time-sensitive items:

If you have some items that need to be delivered quickly, you can consider using air shipping for those items and sea shipping for the rest of the shipment.

Consolidate goods in one location:

Consolidating all your goods in one location in China can help you save money by shipping them together into one shipment. You can then split the shipment and use air or sea shipping for each part of the shipment depending on its urgency.

 

Choose a freight forwarder who offers both air and sea shipping services: By choosing Easy China Warehouse, we can coordinate the entire shipping process and be sure that your goods are transported efficiently and cost-effectively.

We provide each of our customers proposals for their shipments so they can choose the best method that meets the appropriate speed of delivery and budget requirements.

Below we have listed the typical types of shipment methods that we offer our customers, with the fastest highest cost on the top and the slower low cost options below.

1. Express shipment: This is the fastest option for extremely urgent shipments.  We use either UPS, FedEx, or DHL.  Shipments to the US can usually arrive within 4-5 days.
2. Air Freight + Express ground delivery in the destination country: In this method we will book air freight in a cargo aircraft, ship it to a US or a European airport, clear customs and pass the cartons off to FedEx or UPS for ground delivery to the destination.  This shipment method usually takes between 10 to 14 days to arrive at the destination in the US or Europe.  The cost of this method is usually less expensive than Express shipment but still much more expensive than sea shipments.
3. Fast boat + Express ground delivery in the destination country: The fast boat operated by Matson is the quickest route from China to the West coast of the US.  Typically the ship departs from Shanghai/Ningbo port and goes directly to LA.  From ship departure the entire sea journey is 11 days.  Matson operates its own terminal in LA so it’s able to quickly unload their ships compared to the common terminals shared by all carriers.  Once the container is deconsolidated we pass the goods on to either UPS or FedEx for ground delivery.  This shipment only takes between 3-4 weeks.  This shipment method is just a little longer than air freight but significantly lower in cost.
4. Regular boat + Express ground delivery in the destination country: This method is one of the lowest cost options but also provides a reasonable delivery time in the US.  We usually ship from Ningbo/Shanghai or Shenzhen directly to LA, clear customs and pass the items off to UPS or FedEx for delivery.  Typically this shipment method takes 4-5 weeks.
5. Regular boat + Truck delivery: This is the lowest cost option and the preferred option if speed is not important.  Once we deconsolidate the container in the US then we arrange a truck delivery of the goods to the final destination.

Make sure to connect with our professional sales team so we can provide a shipment proposal for your company.

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