So your load to India is all set to ship, but your doubts are still fogging up your brain before the final journey… happens with everyone, don’t worry. Will the shipment cost me a ton, or are there any ways to send the bulk packages without drilling a hole in my pocket? Should I opt for air freight for faster shipment, or will sea freight be more beneficial for me? It’s finally time to rest all these doubts as your shipment guru is here to help you make the best decision… without charging you a penny.
Difference Between Air and Sea Freight
If you believe that the only difference between air freight vs sea freight is their mode of shipment, then you sure need some more details.
The first thing you need to keep in mind before choosing a mode for your shipment is how urgent your shipment needs to be delivered and how voluminous it is. If you need urgent, quicker deliveries, then Air Freight should be your go-to option. Shipment of goods that do not weigh more than and have a higher value must be sent via air freight.
In contrast to it, Sea Freight is the ultimate winner when you need to send bulk items that do not have an urgency for immediate delivery. It might be a slower option for shipment, but you must know that it will cost you way less per unit than air freight.
This is just the basic difference; let’s learn more about the air freight vs sea freight comparison to help you choose the best.
Cost Comparison: Air vs. Sea Freight
Typical Cost Structures: Per Kg vs Per Container
- Air Freight– The total charges of air freight could be calculated per kg or based on the volumetric weight. Whichever is higher is chosen. Imagine you are shipping around 50kg of goods via air freight, then you may be charged around USD $5 to $10 per kg. You can do the further calculations from here.
- Sea freight– The calculation of sea freight will depend on whether you are shipping a Full Container Load (FCL) or Less than Container Load (LCL). A 20-foot FCL container can cost you around $200 to $500. The prices will also depend on the season of shipment or the port you are shipping to.
This shows how sea freight could be a better option for bulk shipment.
Air Freight Cost Trends for Lightweight Shipments
If your shipment consists of documents, luxury goods, or costly electronics, then you should definitely go for air freight. It may cost you a bit more, but the delivery would be faster and the risk of goods damage would be reduced.
These cost trends are determined by factors like –
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- Volumetric weight– For your lightweight shipments, the volumetric weight determines the total pricing. The airlines will charge according to the one that is higher of the two.
- The ever-changing fuel prices– The fuel prices of airplanes, etc, greatly affect your total charges. If fuel prices increase, you may witness surcharges in your shipment fee, too.
- The rise in e-commerce– With the advancements in e-commerce and growth in online shopping, the prices of air cargo have significantly increased.
Regulatory and Documentation Requirements
For international shipments, you have to consider a lot more documentation than for domestic shipments. Customs regulations and duties are complex but significant for cross-border shipments. If you handle them properly, you won’t be charged extra for penalties, and your packages will no longer be delayed.
Customs, Duties, and Import Regulations
If you choose sea freight from India to Singapore or sea freight Singapore to India, you will have to adhere to the trade regulations. Customs at Singapore might not appear that complex, but Indian customs may require some extra documentation. You must possess-
- Shipment packing lists
- Commercial invoices
- License for Import-Export
- Airway or Lading bill
- GST Payments or IGST in India
Compliance Tips for Singaporean Exporters
Singaporean exporters, for a smoother shipment without any hassle, must ensure that-
- Before you ship, all the required paperwork is completed and available.
- The goods to be shipped are classified correctly according to HS codes.
- The freight forwarder that you are working with is well aware of prices from Singapore to India and is also knowledgeable of freight charges from India to Singapore.
- An experienced freight forwarder can be a great help as they can be useful to navigate taxes and duties, and with their experience, the errors in your documentation will also be reduced.
Delivery Time – Air Freight vs Sea Freight Time Differences
Your shipment, while traveling via air freight or sea freight, will experience a huge delivery time difference. Let’s talk about some numbers then..
Transit Times and Reliability of Air Freight vs Sea Freight
If you are shipping via air freight, then do understand that it may take around 1–3 days from Singapore to finally reach the major Indian airports, including Mumbai, Chennai, or Bangalore. Customs clearance is included in this time period.
Sea Freight, however, will take about 7 to 21 days to reach, depending on the routes and even the port traffic. Let’s take an example that you have to send your shipment to the Mumbai port, which will take around 10-14 days. You can consider some extra time too when they need to reach the inland cities or other farther areas. So, if you are considering air freight vs sea freight time, then you must have now understood that air freight is quite faster, although expensive, but the shipment will reach faster.
Factors Influencing Delays
It’s never so easy breezy all the time when you are sending your shipment. You may witness delays via both modes of shipment. Some of the factors are-
- Port Congestion – This delay can be experienced when you ship via sea freight, and due to a greater number of carriers, you may face delays at seaports.
- Weather conditions– This condition affects both air freight and sea freight. The carriers won’t be able to move due to bad weather, and shipments will be delayed.
- Container Availability– Sometimes, when you are shipping via sea freight, you may witness a situation where the ports do not have enough containers.
- Customs– Customs clearance, if not handled by an expert, may lead to delivery delays, both via air freight and sea freight.
When Fast Delivery Justifies Air Freight Cost
Everyone does say that Air Freight costs are higher and it is, of course, true. However, when you consider the speed of the delivery duration then you will understand that these air freight costs are well justified. If your shipment includes products that are time-sensitive and need to be delivered asap like medical supplies, fashion items, other significant products, then paying the premium air freight cost makes sense.
For those with their e-commerce businesses are already aware how rapid delivery can turn out to be a game changer for their businesses and for their business to grow, it can be a competitive advantage.
Volume & Cargo Suitability: Which Method Works Best
Whether you should opt for air freight or sea freight will ship all your load better? This dilemma can only end when you get to know what type of cargo you are shipping.
- Fragile Items– Does your shipment possess fragile items like medical equipment or even electronics or items that need some extra care? Trust us and go for air freight because there you will see minimal handling.
- Bulk Goods– The huge machinery and furniture would be better off shipped via sea freight. You will witness affordable rates for your bulk shipments when you opt for this shipment mode.
- Dangerous goods or restricted items– First of all, you must follow the international regulations before you ship any such items. Then, for better handling of those items, air freight can be a better option.
- Product Lifecycle– If your shipment products need quick restocks then you should definitely go for air freight shipment. This will suit your logistics chain better as compared to the other shipment mode.
Sea Freight Route Options Between India and Singapore
Role of Ports, Schedules, Customs
With the businesses among the two nations witnessing growth at every aspect, India and Singapore already have a well established maritime route structure. The major ports in India like Mumbai, Chennai, and also Kochi do receive cargo from Singapore, frequently.
To learn about the sea freight rates from Singapore to India, one needs to well understand the post schedules and also the transit times. Customs processing may add 2-3 days more to your schedule.
To optimize the cost and time for your shipment, try to choose direct routes and make sure you pre-clear your documentation beforehand. If possible, you must partner with a logistics expert so that your shipment is handled well.
Choosing a Freight Forwarder for India-Singapore Trade
No matter where you ship, it is important to choose the right freight forwarder India to Singapore or Singapore to India.This will be a great help to ensure hassle-free shipping.
- Importance of a reliable partner– If you partner with a reliable courier company then you will be able to get timely notification of its location and other aspects. They will provide you with smooth coordinations and hassle-free delivery.
- End-to-end logistics management– With this management, your shipment pickup, customs, delivery, etc are all covered by them.
- Support with documentation and tracking– They help you with detailed guidance for your documentation and provide transparent tracking, so you avoid fines and delay.
- With the help of these reliable freight forwarders, you can get a negotiable pricing for freight charges from India to Singapore, offer you with customs brokerage and may also provide with insurance.
Final Considerations: When to Choose Air Over Sea and Vice Versa
When to Choose Air Freight
- When you need to deliver the goods within days and do not want to extend to weeks.
- When you are shipping lighter goods that are fragile, high value, and need least handling.
- When your shipment is very urgent or it is a situation of a product launch.
When to Choose Sea Freight
- When you have to ship large, bulky items as these heavy items could be better transported via sea freight.
- When you are looking for affordable shipment options and do not want to pay a lot for deliveries.
- When your items are non-sensitive and you can still manage with a slower delivery time.
Conclusion
Well, we are finally done with this debate and by now, you must have understood that both these freight services have their own pros and cons. Both these modes of shipment have been discussed in detail already so all you need to do is understand your shipment, learn your priorities, gather your budget details and then choose the option that works well for all aspects. If you want to ship economically from Singapore to India, follow us for the ultimate guidance.