Sea Freight vs. Air Freight, General Cargo vs. Sensitive Cargo: One Chart Solves All Cross-Border Logistics Choices

In the logistics decision-making link of cross-border trade, 80% of merchants fall into two major dilemmas: “Should I choose sea freight or air freight?” and “What is the difference between transportation plans for general cargo and sensitive cargo?” In fact, there is no absolute “optimal solution” for logistics selection—only the “most suitable one”—the key lies in matching cargo attributes (general/sensitive), order requirements (timeliness/cost), and risk-bearing capacity.

This article will clarify the logic through a core comparison chart, then break down the adaptation rules of general cargo, sensitive cargo with sea freight and air freight by scenarios. With data, cases, and directly applicable decision-making formulas, it helps you completely get rid of logistics selection anxiety and achieve a cross-border logistics closed loop of “timeliness compliance, cost control, and minimal risk.”

I. Core Comparison Chart: See Through Cross-Border Logistics Selection Logic in 4 Dimensions

First, here is a “universal comparison table” covering the core differences between general/sensitive cargo and sea/air freight. Save it and refer directly when making selections:

Key Conclusion: For general cargo, prioritize sea freight (large volume) or air freight (small volume emergency orders); for sensitive cargo, focus on “compliance + volume”—choose sea freight for large volumes (cost control) and air freight for small volume emergency orders (but bear high premiums + high risks).

II. General Cargo Logistics Selection: How to Choose the Cheapest and Most Stable Option?

General cargo (goods without flammable/explosive properties, no ingredient restrictions, no brand infringement risks, such as ordinary apparel, household items, non-branded accessories) has a core selection logic of “cost priority, timeliness adaptation.” There is no need to worry about compliance issues; the focus is on cargo volume and order cycle.

(I) General Cargo + Sea Freight: The “Cost King” for Large Volumes

Sea freight is the absolute first choice for large-volume general cargo transportation. Its cost advantage stems from “economies of scale”—the larger the container load, the lower the unit shipping cost. Taking 10 CBM of furniture as an example, the LCL sea freight cost from Shanghai to Los Angeles is about 1,200 USD, equivalent to 120 USD per cubic meter; if the volume reaches 28 CBM (40’HQ FCL), the total freight is about 2,000 USD, and the unit cost drops to 71.4 USD per cubic meter, saving more than 40%.

Applicable Scenarios:

• Regular inventory stocking (order cycle ≥30 days);
• Cargo volume ≥10 CBM (cost-effective LCL) or ≥20 CBM (more cost-effective FCL);
• Merchants who are not sensitive to timeliness and pursue maximum profits.

Practical Money-Saving Skills:

1. Book 4-6 weeks in advance: Sea freight prices fluctuate greatly. Locking prices in advance during peak seasons (April-November) can save 15%-20%;
2. Choose “ALL IN” quotes: Include THC (Terminal Handling Charge), BAF (Bunker Adjustment Factor), PCS (Port Congestion Surcharge), etc., in the total quote to avoid subsequent price increases;
3. Optimize loading: Design packaging according to container dimensions (e.g., 40’HQ internal dimensions: 12.032m×2.352m×2.698m) to maximize space utilization and reduce volume waste.

Case: A Yiwu household goods seller exported 2,000 sets of tables and chairs (about 25 CBM) via 40’HQ FCL sea freight from Shanghai to New York, with a total freight of 1,800 USD and a timeliness of 28 days; if air freight was chosen, the cost would be 12,000 USD, a 6-fold difference. By booking in advance and optimizing loading, the seller saves over 80,000 RMB in logistics costs per shipment and increases the annual profit margin by 4 percentage points.

(II) General Cargo + Air Freight: The “Timeliness Savior” for Small Volume Emergency Orders

The core value of air freight is “speed,” but the cost is 6-10 times that of sea freight, which is only suitable for small-volume, emergency general cargo. For example, a 3C accessories seller received an emergency replenishment order from an overseas customer (500kg, about 1 CBM) and chose air freight from Shenzhen to London, with a timeliness of 4 days and a total cost of 35,000 RMB; if LCL sea freight was chosen, the timeliness would be 35 days and the cost only 4,000 RMB, but the order would be lost.

Applicable Scenarios:

• Emergency replenishment (order cycle ≤15 days);
• Sample delivery, exhibition goods transportation;
• Cargo volume ≤5 CBM, where LCL sea freight costs account for a high proportion (e.g., for 1 CBM of goods, LCL sea freight + destination port fees may be close to air freight).

Pitfall Avoidance Guide:

1. Confirm “volumetric weight ratio”: Air freight charges are based on the larger of “actual weight” and “volumetric weight” (usually 1 CBM = 167kg). For lightweight bulky goods (e.g., plush toys), air freight costs are extremely high—sea freight is recommended first;
2. Choose direct flights: Connecting flights are cheaper but have higher delay risks. For general cargo emergency orders, direct flights are recommended to avoid affecting delivery dates;
3. Simplify packaging: Air freight has low packaging requirements—no excessive reinforcement is needed. Reducing packaging weight can lower shipping costs.

(III) General Cargo Selection Decision Formula: Directly Applicable, No Hesitation

1. Cargo volume ≥10 CBM + Order cycle ≥30 days → Sea freight (LCL/FCL);
2. Cargo volume ≤5 CBM + Order cycle ≤15 days → Air freight;
3. Cargo volume 5-10 CBM → Calculate “sea freight cost + storage cost” vs. “air freight cost”: If storage fees + stock-out losses caused by sea freight delays ＞ air freight premium, choose air freight; otherwise, choose sea freight.

III. Sensitive Cargo Logistics Selection: Compliance Is the Premise, Volume Determines the Plan

Sensitive cargo selection is much more complex than general cargo—compliance is the “pass,” and volume is the “cost key.” Once the selection is wrong, you will not only lose shipping fees but also face risks of cargo seizure and fines.

(I) Sensitive Cargo + Sea Freight: The “Compliant Cost-Effective Choice” for Large Volumes

The core advantage of sea freight for sensitive cargo is “shareable compliance costs.” For large volumes, fixed compliance costs such as UN38.3 certification and dangerous goods declaration fees are spread out, and the comprehensive cost is only 30%-50% of air freight. More importantly, sea freight has relatively loose compliance requirements for sensitive cargo (e.g., no 1.2-meter drop test report required) and a lower inspection risk than air freight.

Applicable Scenarios:

• Cargo volume ≥15 CBM (FCL transportation to avoid LCL cross risks);
• Complete compliance documents (e.g., UN38.3, MSDS for batteries; ingredient test reports for cosmetics);
• Order cycle ≥35 days (reserve time for compliance review and transportation).

Compliance + Transportation Practical Points:

1. Prepare certification documents in advance: Sensitive cargo sea freight requires submitting compliance documents 7-10 days in advance to avoid booking delays due to incomplete documents;
2. Prioritize FCL transportation: LCL for sensitive cargo is extremely risky (if there are non-compliant goods in the same container, the entire container will be seized). If the volume is less than 15 CBM, “consolidate orders” or “merge shipments”;
3. Adequate insurance coverage: Choose “All Risks + War Risks + Strike Risks” with the insured amount of 120% of the cargo value to cover risks such as inspection delays and cargo damage.

Case: A Shenzhen electronics factory exported 10,000 lithium battery-containing tablets (about 30 CBM) via 40’HQ FCL sea freight. The compliance costs (UN38.3 certification + dangerous goods declaration fee) were about 5,000 RMB, the total freight was 18,000 USD, and the timeliness was 35 days; if air freight was chosen, the compliance costs + freight would be 60,000 USD, saving more than 70%. With complete documents and FCL transportation, the goods cleared customs smoothly without any additional losses.

(II) Sensitive Cargo + Air Freight: The “Last Resort” for Small Volume Emergency Orders

Air freight for sensitive cargo has extremely high costs—it not only bears the freight of ordinary air freight but also pays dangerous goods handling fees (usually 20%-30% of the freight), special security check fees, compliant packaging fees, etc. However, it has fast timeliness (5-10 days) and is suitable for emergency needs.

Applicable Scenarios:

• Cargo volume ≤3 CBM (small volume, unable to share fixed sea freight compliance costs);
• Emergency orders (e.g., customer-urgent medical equipment with batteries, sensitive exhibition samples);
• High-value sensitive goods (e.g., precision instruments with a unit price exceeding 10,000 RMB—air freight can reduce damage risks caused by long transportation time).

High-Risk Avoidance Skills:

1. Confirm freight forwarder qualifications: Must choose a freight forwarder with “sensitive cargo air freight qualifications” and “dangerous goods transportation license” to avoid rejection by airlines due to insufficient qualifications;
2. Compliant packaging is indispensable: Sensitive cargo air freight packaging must meet IATA rules (e.g., UN138.3 standard packaging for lithium batteries). Unqualified packaging will directly lead to cargo seizure with no refund of shipping fees;
3. Communicate destination policies in advance: For example, for cosmetics air freight exported to the EU, confirm the validity of FDA certification in advance to avoid rejection during customs clearance.

Case Warning: A Guangzhou beauty seller exported 50kg of alcohol-containing skincare products (emergency order) and chose a freight forwarder without sensitive cargo qualifications for air freight. Due to packaging not meeting IATA rules, the goods were detained at the airport—not only was 30,000 RMB in shipping fees lost, but also 10,000 RMB in storage fees and repackaging fees were paid. The delivery was delayed by 15 days, and the customer claimed 20,000 RMB in compensation, resulting in a total loss of over 60,000 RMB.

(III) Sensitive Cargo Selection Decision Formula: Compliance First, Then Transportation

1. Complete compliance documents + Cargo volume ≥15 CBM + Order cycle ≥35 days → FCL sea freight;
2. Complete compliance documents + Cargo volume ≤3 CBM + Order cycle ≤15 days → Air freight (choose sensitive cargo dedicated line);
3. Incomplete compliance documents → Supplement documents first, then select transportation (without compliance documents, both sea and air freight have seizure risks);
4. Counterfeit brands, flammable/explosive sensitive goods (e.g., cosmetics with alcohol content ≥70%) → Prohibited from transportation (extremely high risk).

IV. In-Depth Analysis of Four Core Scenarios: No More Mistakes in Selection

Scenario 1: A 3C seller exports 1,000 lithium battery-containing mobile phones (about 15 CBM) with an order cycle of 45 days → FCL sea freight

Selection Logic: The volume meets the standard (15 CBM), the order cycle is loose, and lithium battery-containing goods are sensitive cargo. FCL sea freight can share compliance costs with controllable risks.

Operation Points:

• Apply for UN38.3 certification and MSDS report in advance;
• Choose dangerous goods-specific containers and affix Class 9 dangerous goods labels on the container;
• Purchase marine insurance with 120% of the cargo value to cover inspection delay risks.

Scenario 2: A beauty seller exports 5,000 bottles of ordinary skincare products (no alcohol, about 8 CBM) with an order cycle of 20 days → LCL sea freight

Selection Logic: Ordinary skincare products are general cargo (no ingredient restrictions) with a volume of 8 CBM and an order cycle of 20 days. LCL sea freight costs are only 1/5 of air freight, and no compliance review is required.

Operation Points:

• Confirm whether the destination port DTHC (Destination Terminal Handling Charge) is included in the quote;
• Liquid skincare products need sealed packaging with outer leak-proof bags;
• Book 15 days in advance to avoid tight LCL space during peak seasons.

Scenario 3: A cross-border e-commerce seller urgently replenishes 500 pieces of authorized branded apparel (about 2 CBM) with an order cycle of 10 days → Air freight

Selection Logic: Authorized branded goods are sensitive cargo (require authorization documents) with a small volume (2 CBM) and urgent orders. Air freight can quickly replenish inventory to avoid stock-out losses.

Operation Points:

• Carry copies of brand authorization letters and trademark registration certificates and proactively provide them during declaration;
• Choose the “independent customs declaration” model to avoid mixing with other sensitive goods;
• Confirm whether the airline accepts air freight of branded goods to avoid rejection.

Scenario 4: A hardware accessories seller exports 5 CBM of non-branded screws with an order cycle of 25 days → Choose sea freight after calculation and comparison

Calculation Process:

• LCL sea freight cost: About 800 USD, timeliness 25 days, no additional fees;
• Air freight cost: About 3,000 USD, timeliness 5 days;
• Comparison: Although air freight is 20 days faster, the cost is 3.75 times higher, and hardware accessories have no emergency needs—sea freight is more cost-effective.

V. Selection Pitfalls: These 6 Mistakes Must Never Be Made

1. Mistake 1: Choosing air freight for large-volume general cargo—For example, choosing air freight for 10 CBM of furniture costs 6 times that of sea freight, which is completely unnecessary;
2. Mistake 2: Choosing LCL sea freight for sensitive cargo—For example, shipping lithium battery-containing products via LCL: if there are non-compliant goods in the same container, the entire container will be seized, resulting in heavy losses;
3. Mistake 3: Ignoring sensitive cargo compliance documents—For example, air freight of cosmetics without ingredient testing: once detected by customs, the goods will be destroyed + fined;
4. Mistake 4: Choosing air freight for lightweight bulky goods—For example, 1 CBM of plush toys (actual weight 50kg) is charged as 167kg for air freight, with extremely high costs;
5. Mistake 5: Trusting low-price freight forwarders that “can ship sensitive cargo without qualifications”—Such freight forwarders usually use misdeclaration methods; once detected, both goods and shipping fees are lost;
6. Mistake 6: Not purchasing insurance or insufficient insurance coverage—Especially for sensitive cargo, the risks of inspection, delay, and damage are high; adequate insurance is the last line of defense.

VI. Summary: The “Universal Formula” for Cross-Border Logistics Selection

For general cargo selection, look at “volume + timeliness”:

• Large volume (≥10 CBM) + Long cycle (≥30 days) → Sea freight;
• Small volume (≤5 CBM) + Short cycle (≤15 days) → Air freight;

For sensitive cargo selection, look at “compliance + volume”:

• Complete compliance + Large volume (≥15 CBM) → FCL sea freight;
• Complete compliance + Small volume (≤3 CBM) + Emergency order → Air freight dedicated line;
• Incomplete compliance → Supplement documents first, then select transportation;
• Prohibited goods → Never ship.

There is no “one-size-fits-all” answer for cross-border logistics selection, but as long as you remember the core logic of “cost adapting to timeliness and compliance underpinning risks” and refer to the comparison chart and decision-making formulas in this article, you can quickly make the most suitable choice for yourself. After all, the best logistics plan is never the most expensive or the fastest, but the one that best fits your goods and order needs.