Choosing the correct mode of transportation is very important in international trade. The seller can pick between sea freight, land transport, and air freight. In this article, we will be focusing on air freight and sea freight to help you determine what the better option may be for you and your company.
Air freight offers several advantages. It enables cargo to be transported quickly, even over long distances. Goods that are transported by air usually arrive much faster than ones transported by land or sea. It is also a very reliable mode of transport, more dependable than others. In fact, the plane is the safest form of transportation in the world. However, it is also quite expensive, and some large cargo cannot be shipped by air.
On the other hand, the costs of sea freight are relatively less expensive and therefore within the reach of most exporters. It also transports large volumes at once and can travel long distances. However, sea freight can often take a long time, as it takes several weeks to transport cargo. The proposed tariff may also be less favorable when you need to export or import small loads. In this case, air freight or even a courier service may be a much more suitable and cost-saving method. There are also weather issues and other unforeseen events that may arise at ports that are difficult to control and generate significant additional costs for exporters. Moreover, in comparison to air freight, sea freight may be more susceptible to damage in transit, but such incidents are unlikely to occur.
The two modes of transport mentioned above both have their own strengths and weaknesses. Thus, in order to choose the most appropriate one, the exporter must first analyze the type of product he or she is planning on shipping, the delivery times, and the volume and value of the goods to get the most ideal results.
Stay Tuned with EXIMA
At EXIMA, we believe in making international trade easy and making sure you have all the tools you need to trade confidently. That includes helping our users learn everything they need to know about global trade and connecting them with the right people. Join our association today!