Air vs Sea FreightUK to India
Choose the right shipping method for your needs. Compare pricing, transit times, and find out which option is best for your cargo.
Air Freight
Fast delivery by air cargo
Sea Freight
Economical ocean shipping
Counted from the next working day after payment received.
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Complete Feature Comparison
Everything you need to know, side by side
Which Service is Right for You?
Use this guide to decide whether air or sea freight is the better choice for your shipment
Choose Air Freight When
- You need your items delivered within 2-3 weeks
- Sending lightweight items where volumetric weight is similar to actual weight
- Time-sensitive documents or gifts
- Items needed for a specific event or occasion
- Business shipments with deadlines
Choose Sea Freight When
- Sea has a 100 kg chargeable-weight minimum; Sea becomes cheaper than Air from 75 kg chargeable weight.
- You can wait the fixed 45 working days to every Indian destination (counted from the next working day after payment received)
- Sending heavy items (clothing, books, kitchenware)
- Moving household goods or personal effects
- Shipping items where cost savings are priority
Understanding Weight Calculations
How we calculate your shipping cost for each service
Air Freight: Chargeable Weight
Air freight uses the higher of actual weight or volumetric weight:
Volumetric = (L × W × H in cm) ÷ 5000
Example: A 50cm × 40cm × 30cm box weighing 10kg has a volumetric weight of 12kg. You would be charged for 12kg (the higher of the two).
Sea Freight: Chargeable Weight
Sea freight uses the same formula as air freight — the higher of actual or volumetric:
Chargeable = MAX(Actual, Volumetric)
Example: A 50cm × 40cm × 30cm box weighing 10kg has volumetric weight of 12kg, so chargeable weight is 12kg. At £2.99/kg, sea is about 25% cheaper per kg than air on shipments over 100 kg.
Pro Tip: Save up to 25% with Sea Freight
Sea freight is about 25% cheaper per kg than air on shipments over 100 kg (£2.99 vs £4 per kg) — ideal for larger, non-urgent shipments where you can wait the fixed 45 working days (the Sea transit clock starts when final payment is received).
Important: Weight Limits Apply
For both air and sea freight, individual pieces must not exceed 30kg. All carrier pickup terms and conditions apply including:
- Home collection: £60 for actual weight above 30 kg per box
- Home collection: £60 for any side above 80 cm per box
- Surcharges waived for warehouse drop-offs
Surcharges Apply to Both Services
The following surcharges apply equally to air and sea freight
Long Length Charge
£60 per parcelHome collection only: any side above 80 cm
Not charged at warehouse drop-off. The 32 kg / 95 cm limits still apply; above either limit, acceptance is discretionary.
Heavy Weight Surcharge
£60 per parcelHome collection only: actual weight above 30 kg
Not charged at warehouse drop-off. The 32 kg / 95 cm limits still apply; above either limit, acceptance is discretionary.
Non-Compatible Items
£15 per parcelFor suitcases, bags, trolley bags and shrink-wrapped packages because labels do not adhere properly.
We strongly recommend using standard cardboard boxes
Locked Items
£25 per parcelFor any suitcases, bags, or boxes sent in a locked condition. This covers professional lock cutting.
Please ensure all items are unlocked before shipping
Our Price Transparency Promise
Our freight rates include duty, clearance, handling, documentation, UK collection and delivery in India. Review the published additional charges before booking; payments into our Indian account also attract GST. We explain these separately so you can understand the shipment total.
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