Most times, the choice between air freight and sea freight for international tradeshow shipping depends on convenience, cost and speed. Other factors to consider include distance, accessibility and the type of goods being shipped. So, which option is best for you?

Choosing Between Air Freight and Sea Freight for International Tradeshow Shipping

Air Freight
Air freight is great for direct shipping of goods from one city to another between different countries. It is ideal for perishable or light goods and also comes in handy for last-minute shipping due to its speed. As air freight can be expensive, you may want to use it only when the costs are less than 20% the value of your merchandise. Although it limits the type of goods, as well as capacity and weight, you can always charter the largest planes to bring in your large exhibition cargos.

Air freight has the following advantages:

  • Speed
    It is the fastest means of transportation, and you can use it for your international tradeshow shipping if your goods are time sensitive. Since your cargo spends less time in transit, your insurance costs are also reduced.
  • Reliability
    Air freight is predictable as planes follow a strict schedule. You can rest assured your goods will be delivered at the stipulated time. The limited capacity also ensures quick handling of cargo at the airport, eliminating delays due to congestion.
  • Safety
    Strict airport regulations and minimum handling guarantee the safety of your shipment. You don’t have to worry about goods being damaged when using air freight.
  • Flexibility
    Shipping by air is more convenient in terms of location and accessibility. This is not true for sea freight as it requires multiple transport options to bring your goods inland, and some ports cannot accommodate large vessels.

Sea Freight
Sea freight is perfect for transporting large volumes of cargo over long distances and across vast waters. Since sea freight is slower than air freight, it is only recommended for goods that are not time sensitive. It also requires adequate planning and proper packaging for timely delivery and damage prevention.

The benefits of sea freight include:

  • Large Volume and Capacity
    Sea freight allows you to ship large volumes of goods at once, unlike air freight, which is subject to limitations. With sea freight, you can transport large volumes of goods in containers.
  • Less Expensive
    It is a less expensive option compared to air freight, as shipping costs are calculated by volume. Shipping by sea is especially cost-effective considering that you can move large volumes of cargo at one time.
  • Accommodates All Types of Goods
    Whatever commodities you are shipping for a tradeshow, you can transport them by sea. Sea freight doesn’t have strict regulations, so you can transport anything from heavy machines to clothing.
  • Reduced Carbon Footprint
    In the spirit of environmental conservation and sustainability, sea freight is a “greener” option compared to air. You reduce your carbon footprints by choosing sea freight for your international tradeshow shipping.

While these advantages are significant, it is important to also be aware sea freight is prone to delays due to large volumes of goods handled at the port, leading to congestion. This may cause you to incur additional expenses from detention and demurrage.

Depending on your needs, either of these two shipping options could be ideal. Contact AMR Group today at 702-800-6385 for your international tradeshow shipping and enjoy timely delivery of your goods. AMR Group can help coordinate the transportation of all goods to and from the show.