Modes with a lower base cost are cheaper for smaller shipments while modes with lower variable weight costs are the cheaper options for larger shipments, even if they start out with a high base cost. How can Air Freight be cheaper than Sea Freight?Įach shipping mode has its own combination of base and variable costs. It will give you instant shipping estimates for both air and sea.
![eub airmail eub airmail](https://www.prospintackle.com/assets/full/SFT-Seadream.jpg)
You can even start shopping around right now with our handy freight rate calculator. Ocean freight offers tremendous economies of scale (some ships can carry 20,000 twenty-foot containers) – but prices have risen steadily since summer 2020 making sea freight less economical than before the pandemic. Like air freight, ocean freight rates vary widely between forwarders and over time, so shop around before choosing your forwarder. Once a shipment weighs more than around 500 kg, shipping by sea becomes the cheaper option. Express air freight is a little more expensive.įreight rates can vary widely between freight forwarders and prices change regularly, so make sure you shop around.įor larger shipments sizes and origin/destination pairs, LCL (less than container load) ocean freight costs might actually be cheaper than air freight costs – make sure you check it out! Sea freight costs and rates from China to Canada Very light shipments for their size might be charged on dimensional weight, rather than actual weight.Īir freight by far the fastest for the price. Standard air freight is the cheapest option for shipments between about 150 kilos and 500 kg. But watch out because some couriers will charge an astronomical amount if you are not a registered customer.Īir freight costs and rates from China to Canada Using an international courier is generally more reliable and quicker than by mail, whether it’s DHL, UPS or TNT.Īs a rule of thumb, at about $5 per kilo, express freight is the cheapest shipping mode for packages or small shipments up to about 150 kg. Mail is cheap, but with snail mail you’re also looking at a long wait time. The heavier the parcel, the more likely it is that a courier will be cheaper. For example, China Post offers several mail options: Air Mail/SAL or Surface Mail for small parcels Air Parcel, SAL or Surface Mail for large packages and the EMS/China International Express and EUB priority systems for packages.Ĭheck each option and compare it with courier charges before choosing your mode. Mail might be an economical shipping option for shipping light and small products.
![eub airmail eub airmail](https://image.dhgate.com/0x0/f2/albu/g11/M01/58/67/rBNaFl8hQJWAdeNPAACrUEKsC84219.jpg)
You’re safer falling back on: Regular Post It will cost you more and take you longer. If you’re importing small goods, like a new product sample, freight shipping is overkill. Often the most important freight factor when shipping from China is cost. October-December(air), July-October (sea)
![eub airmail eub airmail](https://img.alicdn.com/imgextra/i1/2007945560/O1CN01QEgzOe1qwWhufnsEE_!!2007945560.jpg)
Prices rise steadily over a period of months as businesses prepare for holiday shopping June (exact dates follow the lunar calendar) This week-long festival exacerbates holiday season price spikes and delaysīusinesses typically close for three days, causing potential delays Late January/early February (exact dates follow the lunar calendar)
![eub airmail eub airmail](https://cbu01.alicdn.com/img/ibank/2017/067/148/4706841760_906199488.jpg)
Check the following table to understand when peak seasons for shipping from China to Canada could affect your supply chain: Eventįactories and facilities shut down for several weeks of celebrations, causing price spikes and delays It’s also important remember that freight rates are seasonal, with regular fluctuations throughout the year. Production in China is back to normal, but COVID-19’s impact is creating a variety of other challenges including high demand for containers and delays at ports and warehouses.Īdditionally, with new waves of the virus, restrictions on air travel can dramatically reduced air freight capacity, leaving space tight and prices volatile.įor the latest developments in international freight, visit the updates page. For shippers from China to Canada, the coronavirus has been profoundly disruptive, causing major delays to both manufacturing and shipping.