At present, there are three main modes of international logistics and transportation: international air transport, international shipping and international railway. Although air and sea freight are the current mainstream choices, there are great differences between the two methods, including timeliness, services, tariffs, customs clearance methods, etc., and the following will introduce the specific differences between the two methods in detail.

1. Transportation method

There is a big difference between international air freight and international sea freight in terms of transportation methods. International air transport is based on the

airline's aircraft as a means of transport, and the mode of operation is airport-to-airport. International shipping, on the other hand, uses the ships of the shipping

company as the means of transportation, and the mode of operation is port-to-port.

2. The main body of transportation

The main body of international air transport is the major airlines, logistics companies, such as Air Canada, American Airlines, British Airways, etc., and the goods are

transported to the designated destination through these international air transports;

3. Logistics timeliness

Due to the difference between the two in the means of transport, they arrive at the same country logistics timeliness is very different, in which international air transport

uses airplanes, the timeliness is fast, while international sea transport uses ships, the timeliness is slow. For example, the United States special line, under normal

circumstances, it takes 3-5 days to choose international air freight, while international sea freight takes 30-35 days, and sometimes it will take longer.

4. Logistics costs

There is also a big difference between international air freight and international sea freight in terms of tariffs, although air freight logistics is fast, but the transportation

cost is high, so the tariff is more expensive. International shipping, on the other hand, has low transportation costs and strong carrying capacity, so the tariff is relatively

low.

5. Inspection method

International shipping sometimes has to pick up the box, unpacking, time-consuming, high cost, will produce inspection fees, may also have loading and unloading

fees, trailer fees, etc.; and international air transport when the inspection, the implementation of "first inspection and then warehousing" principle, fast, generally no

inspection fees.

6. Customs clearance method

Although there is not much difference between international air freight and international sea freight in the customs clearance process, there is a big difference in the

customs clearance timeliness. Customs clearance for international air transport can usually be completed within 1-2 days, while international sea freight takes about

3-4 days. In addition, in terms of miscellaneous expenses, declaration documents, etc., international air transport is less than sea freight, such as export to the United

States, sea freight needs to declare AMS (American Anti-Terrorism Manifest System), while air freight does not.

The above 6 items are the main differences between international air transport and international shipping, from the above differences, it can be known: international

air transport is fast, high freight rate, suitable for mailing small pieces, high time requirements of goods;