Air Freight vs Sea Freight for Games

Sea freight is the right choice for almost every board game print run. It takes about 30 to 70 days to the door and costs about 2.70 to 3.60 USD per kg with duty and VAT paid. Air freight takes 7 to 15 days but costs about 4 to 8 USD per kg, depending on the time of year. So the question of air freight vs sea freight (or ocean freight vs air freight) comes down to time against money. This guide compares the two and shows when air is worth it.

Every Method: Transit Time and Rate

Here is air freight vs ocean freight, method by method: our typical transit times and rates to the door, with our logistics partner Prime Ship. Sea rates include duty and VAT (or GST), plus about 100 USD per shipment.

• Express courier: 5 to 7 days. Quoted per parcel; remote zones such as Alaska about 10 USD per kg.
• Air freight: 7 to 15 days. About 4 to 8 USD per kg, depending on the time of year.
• Sea freight plus ground delivery, by the kilogram:
  • US West Coast: about 30 days, 2.70 USD per kg.
  • US Midwest: about 35 days, 2.90 USD per kg.
  • US East Coast: about 35 days, 3.10 USD per kg.
  • Australia: about 40 days, 3.00 USD per kg.
  • New Zealand: about 40 days, 3.30 USD per kg.
  • Canada, the UK and the EU: about 70 days, 3.60 USD per kg.
• Slower sea freight to the US: about 50 to 60 days. 1.80 to 2.60 USD per kg.
• Less than container load (LCL): 45 to 70 days. Priced by the cubic metre.
• Full container load (FCL): about 60 days. Priced by the container.

Larger runs priced by the cubic metre, and every extra such as pallets and storage, are in our guide to board game shipping cost.

Sea Freight for Board Games

Sea freight (also called ocean freight) carries your games in shipping containers. It is the default because board games are large and heavy for their price, and the sea moves bulk cheaply. It also has a much smaller carbon footprint than air. The downsides are time and planning: delays at ports happen, so build a buffer into your launch date.

Air Freight for Board Games

Air freight flies your games as cargo, and is priced by the actual weight or the volume weight, whichever is higher. So a large, light box can cost more than its weight suggests. Prices are highest before the holiday season. Air is fast and reliable, and simple for a small shipment, but too costly for a full print run, and its carbon footprint is far higher.

When Air Freight Makes Sense

• Review copies: a few games for reviewers and content creators before launch.
• Conventions and events: a few cartons that must arrive by a fixed date.
• Urgent restocks: when a shop or Amazon runs out.
• Fulfilment straight from China: light games can fly straight to backers, skipping 40 days or more at sea. Our guide to Kickstarter fulfillment explains how.

The Hybrid Plan

Most publishers combine the two. Send the bulk of the run by sea, and fly a few cartons ahead for a launch, a convention or reviewers. Our guide to board game shipping cost gives the rates by volume and the extras, and our guide to how to ship board games covers the whole route.