Air Freight Guide: vs Ocean, and How Rates Work
Facing an urgent shipment, "air or ocean" comes down to a speed-versus-cost trade-off. But air rates are not set by weight alone, so light-but-bulky cargo can cost more than you expect.
This guide helps anyone new to air cargo understand how air freight works and how rates are calculated, and decide when to split between air and ocean.
What Is Air Freight?
Air freight moves cargo by aircraft: the fastest option, at the highest unit cost. Short lead times make it a fit for urgent, high-value, small, or time-sensitive cargo.
Air vs Ocean: When to Use Which
| Air | Ocean | |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | Fast (days) | Slow (weeks) |
| Unit cost | High | Low |
| Best for | Urgent, high-value, small, perishable | Bulk, heavy, non-urgent |
| Billing basis | Greater of volumetric vs actual weight | (FCL) container / (LCL) CBM |
Tight deadlines or high-value goods with heavy holding costs favor air; large volumes with time to spare favor ocean.
How Air Freight Rates Are Calculated
Air rates are based on chargeable weight, taking the greater of actual weight and volumetric weight.
- Volumetric weight: length × width × height (cm) ÷ 6000 = kg (international air standard)
- Example: a 40 × 50 × 60 cm box = 120,000 ÷ 6000 = 20 kg. If actual weight is 12 kg, the 20 kg volumetric weight becomes the chargeable weight.
So light, bulky cargo is billed by volumetric weight, which means packing efficiency directly affects the rate.
Lead Time and Cautions
- Lead time: airport-to-airport is short, but judge the full door-to-door time including pickup, security screening, customs, and inland transport.
- Dangerous or special cargo: batteries, liquids, and refrigerated goods need IATA compliance and extra documents and packing.
- Surcharges: beyond the air rate, THC, a security surcharge (SSC), and documentation apply. Compare on the all-in total.
This guide is for general information. Actual rates, volumetric basis, and surcharges vary by lane, carrier, and timing. Confirm with a quote.
Frequently asked questions
When should I choose air freight?
When deadlines are tight, or for high-value, small, or time-sensitive cargo where holding and opportunity costs are high. For large volumes with time to spare, ocean is cheaper.
What are air freight rates based on?
Chargeable weight, which is the greater of actual weight and volumetric weight. Light but bulky cargo is billed by volumetric weight.
How is air volumetric weight calculated?
Length × width × height (cm) divided by 6000 gives the volumetric weight in kg. For example, 40×50×60 cm is 120,000÷6000 = 20 kg.
What costs apply beyond the air rate?
Surcharges such as THC, a security surcharge (SSC), and documentation. Compare on the all-in total rather than the air rate alone.
