One of the most common questions we get from Bangladeshi importers: "Should I ship by air or by sea?"
There's no single right answer — it depends on your cargo, your timeline, and your budget. Here's a clear breakdown to help you decide.
The Quick Answer
| If your shipment is... | Choose |
|---|---|
| Under 100 kg, urgent, or high-value | Air freight (3–7 days) |
| Over 1 CBM, non-urgent, bulk goods | Sea freight LCL (12–25 days) |
| Full container (15 CBM+), planned orders | Sea freight FCL (12–20 days) |
Speed Comparison
Air freight: 3–7 days door to door from China to Bangladesh. Your goods fly from Guangzhou or Hong Kong to Dhaka (HSIA airport), clear customs, and arrive at your door.
Sea freight: 12–25 days door to door. Your goods ship from Guangzhou (Nansha) or Shenzhen (Yantian) to Chittagong Port, clear customs, and are delivered inland to your door.
If you need stock in 2 weeks or less, air is the only realistic option. If you have 4+ weeks, sea saves you significant money.
Cost Comparison (China → Bangladesh, DDP)
| Shipment Size | Air Freight | Sea Freight (LCL) | Which is cheaper? |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50 kg / ~0.1 CBM | $200–350 | Not economical | Air |
| 200 kg / ~0.5 CBM | $800–1,400 | ~$200–400 | Sea (big gap) |
| 500 kg / ~2 CBM | $2,000–3,500 | ~$400–800 | Sea (much cheaper) |
| 1,000 kg / ~5 CBM | $4,000–7,000 | ~$750–1,500 | Sea (5–6x cheaper) |
As a rule of thumb: air freight costs roughly 4–8x more per kg than sea freight. But for small shipments, the minimum charge for sea freight (usually 1 CBM minimum) makes air the cheaper option.
What About Weight vs Volume?
Here's a key concept: airlines charge by chargeable weight — whichever is higher between actual weight and volumetric weight (length × width × height ÷ 6000 for air, ÷ 1000 for sea).
- Dense goods (metal parts, books, electronics) — actual weight is higher. Air shipping is more expensive per kg.
- Light, bulky goods (pillows, plastic items, packaging) — volumetric weight is higher. These are very expensive to ship by air. Sea freight is almost always better.
Best Use Cases
Choose Air Freight When:
- You need goods in 3–7 days (urgent restock, event deadline)
- Shipment is under 200 kg
- Products are high-value (electronics, jewelry, branded goods)
- E-commerce / Daraz orders with fast delivery expectations
- Samples or small test orders
Choose Sea Freight When:
- Shipment is over 1 CBM or 200 kg
- Goods are heavy or bulky (fabric, machinery parts, furniture)
- You have 3–4+ weeks of lead time
- You're ordering regularly (monthly/quarterly stock)
- Cost optimization matters more than speed
Pro Tip: Mix Both Methods
Many successful Bangladeshi importers use a hybrid approach: ship a small urgent batch by air (to keep stock moving) and the bulk order by sea (to keep costs low). This gives you the best of both worlds.
Ask Us for the Best Mix →Common Mistake: Only Looking at Per-Kg Price
Many importers compare $4/kg air vs $80/CBM sea and immediately choose sea. But they forget: sea freight has a 1 CBM minimum charge. If your shipment is only 0.3 CBM, you still pay for 1 CBM — making it more expensive than air for small shipments.
Always calculate the total cost for your specific shipment, not just the per-unit rate.
Bottom Line
Under 100 kg → Air. Over 1 CBM → Sea. In between → Ask us. We'll calculate both options and recommend the most cost-effective choice for your specific cargo.