Sea freight is cheaper per kilo, but it ties up cash for weeks and exposes you to stockouts if demand moves. Air is fast and flexible, but the premium can erase the margin on low-value goods. The habit of always choosing one mode leaves money on the table.
The better lens is total impact: what does a stockout cost you in lost sales and rank on a marketplace? What does six weeks of tied-up capital cost at your cost of money? For high-margin or fast-moving lines, air often pays for itself. For stable, low-margin goods, sea wins comfortably.
Smart operators split the shipment — air a first tranche to hit the launch window, sea the bulk behind it. Route by the numbers, not by reflex.
