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The whole import, not just the freight

Freight is the most expensive part of the puzzle, but rarely the only one that decides the outcome. Customs clearance, supplier verification and consolidation can each swallow or double the saving you won on the freight rate.

Cztery tryby transportu obok siebie

Indicative figures
Transit time, cost profile, use cases and limitations compared across four transport modes from China
ModeTransit timeCostBest forLimitations
Sea32–45 daysLowest per unit of volumeVolume with no hard deadline; the default for most goodsLongest transit; with FCL, demurrage and detention risk
Rail18–28 daysRoughly twice sea, far below airMid-value goods when 40 days is too longVariable capacity; restrictions on dangerous goods and liquids
Air5–9 daysHighest per kilogramHigh-margin goods, stock top-ups, samplesVolumetric weight ÷6000; batteries and aerosols restricted
Express courier3–6 daysEconomical to roughly 70–100 kgSamples, small batches, urgent stockoutsVolumetric weight ÷5000; above ~100 kg air cargo is often cheaper

Cost is shown relatively, because absolute rates move week to week. For a range on your own cargo, use the freight calculator.

Freight

Choosing a mode is a trade-off between time and cost. Here is each one in detail.

Import support

Everything that happens around the carriage itself — and usually what decides whether a shipment runs without surprises.

Not sure which mode fits?

Tick “advise me” in the form. We will compare the workable options for your cargo and show the difference in cost and time.

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