Almost every importer faces the same question on every order: do we fly it or ship it? Air freight is fast but expensive; sea freight is economical but slow. The right answer depends on your product, your margins, and how quickly you turn stock into cash.
Here is how we help clients decide, lane by lane.
Cost: the headline difference
Sea freight is priced by container (FCL) or by volume/weight for shared containers (LCL), and is dramatically cheaper per kilogram for anything bulky. Air freight is priced on chargeable weight — the greater of actual and volumetric weight — and can be five to ten times the sea rate for the same goods.
For low-value, high-volume goods, sea almost always wins. For small, light, high-value goods, the air premium is a small share of the unit cost.
Transit time
Air freight from China to Nairobi typically lands within days; sea freight to Mombasa plus inland clearance and delivery usually runs several weeks. If a delay means empty shelves or a missed season, the cost of being late often dwarfs the freight saving.
Cargo type and restrictions
Some cargo is better suited to one mode. Perishables, pharmaceuticals, and urgent spare parts favour air. Heavy machinery, furniture, building materials, and bulk consumer goods favour sea. Dangerous goods and batteries face stricter rules by air.
A simple rule of thumb
Compare the air premium against the value tied up in the goods and the cost of stockouts. If flying adds a small percentage to your unit cost but gets stock selling weeks sooner, fly it. If it adds a large percentage and you can plan ahead, ship it.
- Choose air for: high-value, low-weight, urgent, perishable, or seasonal stock.
- Choose sea for: bulky, heavy, low-margin, or non-urgent cargo where lead time can be planned.
- Mix both: fly your fast-movers to restock quickly while a sea container follows behind.
Need help with your shipment?
Bluescale Logistics handles freight, customs clearance, and delivery across Kenya and East Africa. Tell us what you're moving and we'll map the smartest route.
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