How do you know what freight forwarding is right for you? Air freight or Ocean freight? How much money and time can you save? If you are moving to Japan or sending goods for business, choosing the correct mode of transport can be hard. But, we know that the most important is money and time. So, we will help you to decide which type of freight forwarding you will choose – Air freight or Ocean freight.

The cost difference between sea freight and air freight

If you want to know which type of transporting goods will cost you the least, you will most likely get the answer that shipping by sea is cheaper than air freight forwarding. This can be true but not always. This depends on transport companies, how much they charge for international shipping.

The cost difference between sea freight and air freight depends on the trade and the cargo you ship. Airplane capacity is limited by weight and sea freight by volume. The main difference in price between air freight and sea freight forwarding is less for light cargo than it is for heavy lift cargo.

Airlines charge for cargo forwarding based on weight and size of cargo. Large light items take up more space than a small heavy item. Sea forwarders charge per container rates for shipping in standard containers. Also, a factor that impact the cost of shipping by sea is the cargo requires a dedicated full container or can be shipped with other cargo.

So, for large and heavy shipments it is the best solution to transport them by the sea. If your cargo is smaller than the price of shipping can be less expensive with air freight forwarding.

Also, don’t forget! You have to pay fees no matter which type of freight forwarding will you choose. Even, shipping by sea can be cheaper than air freight, the warehouse fees at seaports can be more expensive than the warehouses at the airports. So, if the price is not important for you, we bring you more tips that will help you decide – Air freight or Ocean freight.

Speed – important factor in your decision: air freight or ocean freight

If you only consider speed, then air freight forwarding is the right solution for you. It is the fastest way to transport goods long distance. For business, shipping time can be much more important than money. But, with urgent shipping comes the higher cost of forwarding. Shipping by sea can take much more time, even weeks. And shipments by sea last couple of days. Air freight typically is lasting maximum 10 days. It includes holding time at airports and others procedures. Ocean freight depends on distance and can last from a week to 70 days.

How important is it that your cargo reaches its destination in time?

This is the most important question if you choosing between air freight or ocean freight. Since time is money, this can make you decide and ship cargo via air.

For most business shipping cargo, faster is better. When it comes to the shipping household to Japan, you can do it with ocean freight. If you prepare on the time your household goods can be on time in the country.

Reliability

Reliability is an important factor, especially in forwarding services. Which one of air freight or ocean freight is better in this category? Definitely, air freight shipping is a winner in this “battle”. Ocean ships can be off schedule. And for days it can bring business serious cost effects. But with airplane flight can delay cargo just for one day, but shipping by sea can have a longer delay. Air freight can be delayed because of bad weather conditions or similar factors. But, airlines are very cautious with their schedule. Missing a flight doesn’t cause many problems and delays for a cargo.

With ocean shipping goods you can experience weekly schedules and risks that something can go wrong. It is a high percentage of delayed shipments. So, the weekly delay can cause many problems for business.

When comparing this two types of forwarding, air freight tends to be more reliable option for international transportation of goods.

Accessibility

Another important factor you should consider. When you are planning your Japan relocation is the accessibility of your inland or ocean departure port and destination port.

Goods which are shipping with air freight are delivered to the nearest international airport. So, your goods are easily reachable.  With shipping by the ocean, you have to get your cargo to a warehouse close to the port.

Here are a few factors to consider air freight or ocean freight

• Ocean freight is much better option if you what to ship goods that are larger and heavier
• If your shipment is smaller than difference in cost between this two types of forwarding is decreasing because air freight can be cheaper than using sea shipping
• When air freight is cheaper than shipping by the sea, ocean transportation depends on the destination and of the type of goods.
• You will also need to calculate destination charges and customs fees for both methods.

Air freight or ocean freight with Kokusai Express Japan

Whatever that you choose between air freight and ocean freight, with Kokusai Express Japan you get the best forwarding service. Our company gives you best professional team in moving and transporting your goods to and from Japan. You will get the best of overseas moving, warehousing services, customs clearance, air and sea import/export, cargo tracking, etc. You just need to decide which type of transport is better for your shipping cargo.