Sea vs air freight calculator
Air always looks dearer on the freight quote. This counts what the slower sea route costs while your goods are on the water — money tied up in stock, sales lost while the shelf is empty, and the duty charged on the freight itself.
Read: sea vs air freight from China
Sources
An estimate for planning, not a quote. Air chargeable weight uses the common 1:6000 volumetric convention (167 kg per CBM); some forwarders use a different divisor, so check yours. Duty is shown on the freight only, because freight is part of the UK customs value; import VAT is charged on it too but is normally recoverable if you are VAT registered.
Questions about this tool
When is air freight cheaper than sea?
When what the slower sea route costs you while the goods are on the water outweighs the difference in the freight quotes. That cost is money tied up in stock, sales lost while the shelf is empty, and the duty charged on the freight itself. The calculator shows the weekly lost profit at which air becomes the cheaper route.
How is air chargeable weight worked out?
Using the common 1:6000 volumetric convention, which works out at 167 kg per cubic metre; you pay on whichever is higher, the actual or the volumetric weight. Some forwarders use a different divisor, so check yours.
Why is duty charged on the freight?
Because freight to the UK border is part of the customs value, so a dearer freight bill carries more duty. Import VAT is charged on it too, but is normally recoverable if you are VAT registered.