由 caicai8478 In logistics transportation, the choice of air or sea transport requires comprehensive consideration of factors such as cargo characteristics, timeliness requirements, and cost sensitivity. The following is a detailed classification guide and decision framework:
- Types of goods that must be given priority to air transport
Highly time-sensitive goods
Medicine and vaccines: medicines that require cold chain transportation, emergency medical supplies (such as plasma, organ transplant supplies).
Fresh food: seafood, high-end fruits (such as cherries, blueberries), flowers (such as Dutch tulips), with short shelf life and high temperature control requirements.
Case: Norwegian salmon is usually exported to Asia by air to ensure freshness.
High-value, low-volume/weight goods
Electronic products: chips, high-end mobile phones (such as the first release of new iPhone models), precision instruments (avoid humid environments in sea transport).
Jewelry/luxury goods: diamonds, famous watches (high single-piece value, relatively controllable air transport insurance costs).
Emergency orders and supply chain disruption remedies
Auto parts: JIT (Just-in-Time) replenishment when production lines are out of stock
Fashion industry: ZARA and other fast fashion brands urgently replenish stocks in response to fashion trends.
Documents and key information
Original contracts, visa passports, bidding documents and other documents that cannot be delayed.
- Types of goods more suitable for sea transportation
Large low-value commodities
Raw materials: ore, coal, wood, steel (low unit value, sensitive to transportation costs).
Agricultural products: soybeans, corn, wheat (storable, low timeliness requirements).
Heavy/large volume cargo
Industrial equipment: wind turbine blades, construction machinery (such as excavators exported by Sany Heavy Industry).
Complete vehicle transportation: commercial vehicles exported from China to Africa (such as BYD electric buses).
Non-time-sensitive consumer goods
Furniture and home furnishings: IKEA’s flat-pack furniture (sea containers can optimize loading rates).
Toys/daily necessities: Christmas gifts (usually prepared by sea 3-6 months in advance).
Dangerous goods (partial)
Chemical raw materials (such as PVC particles), lithium batteries (must comply with IMDG special packaging standards for sea transportation).
- Decision-making reference framework
Dimension Air freight Ocean freight
Time 1-7 days 20-45 days (about 15 days for the West Coast route)
Cost Freight ≈ $5-$10/kg Freight ≈ $0.5-$2/kg (full container)
Carbon emissions 50 times that of ocean freight Low carbon, suitable for companies with high ESG requirements
Cargo restrictions Liquids/magnetic items are prohibited (MSDS report required) Most goods are accepted (dangerous goods need to be declared) - Special scenario solutions
Sea-air combined transport: Electronic products from Shenzhen to Europe can be shipped to Dubai by sea first, and then airlifted to Europe, saving 30% of costs.
Seasonal adjustment: Amazon prepares stocks to FBA warehouses by sea before the peak season, and cooperates with air transportation for emergency replenishment.
Through the above classification, companies can choose the best solution based on the urgency of the order, logistics budget and cargo characteristics. It is recommended that high-value + time-sensitive goods be shipped by air, bulk + storable goods be shipped by sea, and further optimized using the intelligent path planning tools of logistics service providers.