So, you’ve decided to move abroad. Executing an international move takes a lot of planning and decision-making. Next to choosing what to bring to your next destination, one of the most important decisions is choosing the right shipping method for your belongings.
The timeline of your move and your budget will largely depend on whether you choose air freight or sea freight. Both methods have advantages depending on your circumstances, destination, and priorities.
With over a century of experience in the moving industry, we’ve helped thousands of families and professionals ship their belongings across the globe. Below is a breakdown of the key differences between air and sea freight, along with the major pros and cons of each option. And a third alternative you may not have considered.
Moving by Air Freight
What is Air Freight
Air freight refers to transporting household goods via commercial or cargo aircraft. Your belongings are securely packed and loaded onto an international flight before being transported to your destination airport, where they are cleared through customs and delivered to your new home. Air freight is typically used for smaller shipments or when speed is the top priority.
Pros of Air Freight Shipping
Significantly Faster Delivery
One of the biggest advantages of air freight is speed. While sea freight shipments can take several weeks or even months, depending on the destination, air freight shipments typically arrive in a matter of days.
If you are moving for work, your children are starting school, or beginning a new assignment abroad, receiving essential belongings quickly can make the transition much smoother.
Great Accessibility
Airports are often more accessible than major seaports, especially for inland destinations. It’s more likely that the destination will have an international airport than a large shipping port.
This means air freight can provide more direct routes and fewer transportation legs compared to sea freight, which may also incur trucking from the port to your final destination.
Less Handling of Goods
Air shipments involve fewer transfer points than sea freight, which reduces the amount of handling your belongings experience during transit. Fewer handling stages translate to lower risk of damage, so if you are shipping fragile or high-value items, air freight is worth considering.
Competitive Pricing
Many people assume air freight is always significantly more expensive than sea freight. While this can be true for large shipments, pricing ultimately depends on your international mover.
For example, movers, like Arpin International, with International Air Transport Association (IATA) certification, have access to preferred airline rates and a wider network. In this case, air freight may actually be comparable in price or even less expensive than sea freight.
Cons of Air Freight
Limited Space
Because aircraft cargo space is limited, air freight is best suited for smaller shipments of essential or high-value items rather than an entire household.
Moving by Sea Freight
What is Sea Freight?
Sea freight involves transporting your household goods internationally aboard cargo ships. Your belongings are packed and loaded into shipping containers, which are then transported from one port to another before being delivered to your final destination.
This is the most common method for large international moves because it can accommodate the volume of a full household.
Pros of Sea Freight
More Space
Shipping containers provide far more capacity than aircraft cargo holds. This makes sea freight ideal for large shipments, including furniture and appliances. Depending on your needs, you can choose between a full container load (FCL), where your goods occupy an entire container, or a shared container option known as less-than-container load (LCL).
However, using a full container is usually more time- and cost-efficient. LCL shipments require additional handling because multiple shipments share the same container, which can lead to longer transit times and extra terminal handling fees.
More Economical for Large Shipments
For full household relocations, sea freight is the more budget-friendly option. But for small moves, pricing depends on your moving company and its industry certifications. At Arpin, we are able to secure air freight quotes that are comparable, or even cheaper, than sea freight for certain shipments.
Cons of Sea Freight
Longer Transit Times
Sea freight shipments take considerably longer than air freight. Depending on the origin and destination, shipping times can range from several weeks to over a month. In addition to ocean transit, shipments must also go through port handling, customs clearance, and inland delivery before reaching your home.
Greater Risk of Delays
Ocean freight is more susceptible to delays due to port congestion, weather conditions, and customs processing. While experienced movers work to minimize disruptions, longer transit routes naturally introduce more variables compared to air transport.
Hybrid Move
In some situations, the most practical solution is a combination of both shipping methods. A hybrid move lets you ship essential items by air freight while the rest of your household goods travel by sea.
If you are working with an IATA-certified mover like Arpin that offers competitive air rates, this hybrid approach allows you to settle into your new home quickly without the higher cost. Meanwhile, your larger belongings arrive later via sea freight.
The Decision Is Yours: Air or Sea Freight
Choosing between air and sea freight ultimately depends on your priorities. If speed and convenience are your main concerns, air freight is the best solution. If you are moving a full household, sea freight will be the better option.
Every international move is unique, so if you need tailored advice, our experienced move coordinators are here to guide you through every step of the process. We’ll help you evaluate your options and design a shipping plan that fits your needs.
Reach out to the team at Arpin for a personalized quote.
