Air freight is often the right call for samples and urgent parts, even for businesses that use sea freight for their main shipments.

Air freight is billed on chargeable weight, which can be higher than actual weight for bulky, lightweight cargo.

Air freight costs more per kilogram, but for the right kind of shipment, it’s the more economical choice overall.

Air freight is the fastest way to move cargo from China, but the exact transit time still depends on your route and whether the shipment is direct or transshipped.

CY and CFS describe where your cargo is handled at the port, and the difference matters most for LCL shipments.

If you’ve never shipped by sea before, here is the process laid out in order, from getting a quote to receiving your cargo.

Congestion at the destination port can add unplanned days to your shipment’s timeline, even after the vessel arrives on schedule.

Cargo insurance is a small cost relative to the value it protects, especially over a multi-week sea voyage.

For very small shipments, sea freight isn’t always cheaper than it looks once minimum charges and handling are factored in.

Rates and transit times both move during peak shipping periods. Knowing when these windows fall helps you plan shipments and budgets ahead of time.