Sea Freight vs Air Freight: Which Should You Use?
Most guides answer this with “it depends.” Here's the actual decision framework.
The core trade-off
| Sea Freight (LCL) | Air Freight | |
|---|---|---|
| Transit time | 15–25 days | 5–7 days |
| Minimum | No minimum | 1 kg |
| Billed by | Volume (CBM), or weight if over 500 kg/CBM | Weight (per kg) |
| Best for | Bulky, heavy, planned orders | Small, urgent, high-value goods |
How each is actually priced
Sea freight is billed on volume (CBM), with a weight allowance of 500 kg per CBM. Heavier shipments bill on total weight instead — ₱21/kg (Commodity 1) or ₱25/kg (Commodity 2–3), whichever is greater. Full rule and worked example on the rates page.
This matters more than people expect. A cubic metre of pillows and a cubic metre of ceramic tiles cost very differently, because one is volume-limited and the other hits the weight ceiling.
Air freight is simpler: rate per kilogram × total kilograms.
The decision rule
Choose sea freight when:
- Your goods are bulky relative to their value (furniture, packaging, homeware)
- You planned ahead and can absorb 15–25 days
- You're moving volume and want the lowest cost per unit
Choose air freight when:
- You need it in under a week
- The item is small and light but valuable (electronics, accessories, samples)
- You're testing a product before committing to a bulk order
- Your shipment is under 0.01 CBM — at that size, air is often the sensible option anyway
The mistake that costs the most
Ordering bulk stock by sea without first air-freighting a sample. Air-freighting one unit costs relatively little. Discovering after three weeks at sea that a whole pallet is the wrong colour, size, or quality costs the entire order.
What's included either way
Angkat rates are all-in: taxes and tariffs, port fees in China and the Philippines, freight, warehouse fees, and free delivery within covered Metro Manila areas. No surprise invoices at release, provided the details you gave us were accurate.
Related reading
- How long sea freight takes
- What shipping costs
- Import duties and taxes
- LCL vs FCL: which one fits your business
- What is CBM? How sea freight is actually priced
Not sure which to choose?
Send us your shipment details and we'll tell you which makes more sense.
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