Sea vs air freight: cost and time
The basic trade-off between cost and speed, typical transit times China to the UK, and how to choose.
The trade-off
Almost every shipping decision comes down to one trade-off: sea is far cheaper per kilogram, air is far faster. The right choice depends on how urgent the goods are and how much they weigh relative to their value.
For most bulk, non-urgent orders, sea wins on total cost. For small, urgent or high-value shipments, air can be worth the premium.
Sea freight
China to the UK by sea typically takes around 30–40 days door to door, though transit can be longer during shipping disruptions or re-routing.
A full container (FCL) is most economical when you have the volume; smaller shipments share space in a container (LCL) and cost more per unit but avoid paying for a whole container.
Air freight
Air freight from China to the UK is usually in the region of 3–8 days. It is priced by weight (with a volumetric adjustment for bulky, light goods), so it suits smaller, denser, higher-value items.
Use it for urgent restocks, samples, or launch quantities where speed matters more than the freight cost.
How to choose
As a rule of thumb: plan ahead and ship the bulk by sea to protect your margin; keep air in reserve for the urgent top-ups. Many businesses do both — an initial air shipment to hit a deadline, with the balance following by sea.
Whichever you choose, a door-to-door service folds the freight, duty and VAT into one landed price so you can compare like for like.
Frequently asked questions
How long does sea freight take?
Roughly 30–40 days door to door China to the UK in normal conditions; it can be longer during disruptions. Air is usually 3–8 days.
When is air freight worth it?
For urgent, small or high-value shipments where the cost of being late — a missed launch or an empty shelf — outweighs the higher freight cost.