When air beats ocean on total landed cost
Freight cost per kilo is only part of the picture. Inventory, shelf life and lost sales can tip the balance towards air.
Air freight costs around ten times more per kilo than ocean. For high-value, short-life or launch-critical goods, it can still be the cheaper option once you count inventory held in transit and sales lost to late stock.
A quick test
- Value above $40 per kilo
- Shelf life under 90 days
- A launch or season date that cannot move
If two of the three apply, ask your forwarder for an air and ocean comparison on total landed cost.
