01
Sea freight
Full container (FCL) or shared container (LCL)
The cheapest way to move volume. You book a whole container (FCL) or share space with other cargo (LCL). Almost every destination is reachable, and it is the default for a first big order or a full restock.
- Best for
- Full containers and large volumes
- Transit
- Indicative 25–45 days door to door
02
Rail freight
China–Europe block trains
Block trains run from China into Central Asia and Europe. Priced between sea and air, and typically a good deal quicker than sea on the same lane. Useful when a full container is too slow but air is too expensive.
- Best for
- Container volumes, faster than sea
- Transit
- Indicative 18–30 days door to door
03
Air freight
Airport to airport, or door to door
The fast option for larger shipments. Because air is charged on chargeable weight (actual weight or volumetric weight, whichever is greater), it suits urgent cargo that is too big for a courier but cannot wait for a container.
- Best for
- Urgent cargo, including bulky or heavy items
- Transit
- Indicative 7–15 days door to door
04
Express courier
Door to door, tracked
Parcel networks and cross-border e-commerce lines. Best for a small shop topping up a fast-selling line, sending samples, or testing a product before committing to volume. Tracked end to end.
- Best for
- Small urgent restocks
- Transit
- Indicative 3–10 days door to door