At present, there are three main modes of international logistics transportation: international air transport, international sea transport and international railway. Air transport and sea transport here have become the mainstream choice of foreign trade enterprises and cross-border e-commerce enterprises because of their wide postal range and strong transport capacity. Although air transportation and sea transportation are the current mainstream choices, there are big differences between the two methods, including time efficiency, service, tariff, customs clearance, etc., and the following will introduce the specific differences between the two methods in detail.

 

1. Mode of transportation

 

International air transport is quite different from international sea transport in terms of transport mode. International air transport takes the aircraft of airlines as the means of delivery and operates from airport to airport. International shipping, on the other hand, takes the ships of shipping companies as the means of transportation, and the mode of operation is from port to port.

 

2. Transport subject

 

The main carriers of international air transport are major airlines and logistics companies, such as Air Canada, American Airlines, British Airways, etc. The goods are transported to the designated destination through these international airlines; The main body of international maritime transport is the major shipping companies, such as Maersk, EVA, etc. The goods are delivered to the designated destination through these shipping companies.

 

3. Logistics timeliness

 

Because of their differences in transportation means, their logistics timeliness when arriving in the same country is very different. International air transport uses aircraft, which is fast, while international sea transport uses ships, which is slow. For example, the U.S. special line normally takes 3-5 days to choose international air transportation, while international sea transportation takes 30-35 days, sometimes even longer.

 

4. Logistics expenses

 

There is also a big difference between international air transport and international sea transport in terms of tariff. Although air transport is fast in logistics, its transport cost is high, so the tariff is relatively expensive. For international shipping, the transportation cost is low and the carrying capacity is strong, so the tariff is relatively low.

 

5. Inspection method

 

Sometimes it takes time and high cost to carry and unload containers in international shipping; There may be inspection fees, loading and unloading fees, trailer fees, etc; The principle of "inspection before warehousing" is applied to the inspection of goods delivered by international air transport, which is fast and generally free of inspection fees.

 

6. Customs clearance method

 

Although there is not much difference between international air transport and international sea transport in customs clearance process, there is a big difference in customs clearance timeliness. Customs clearance by international air transport is usually completed within 1-2 days, while international sea transport takes about 3-4 days. In addition, in terms of miscellaneous charges and declaration documents, international air transportation is less than sea transportation. For example, for exports to the United States, AMS (American Anti Terrorism Manifest System) is required for sea transportation, while air transportation is not.

 

Because of their differences in transportation means, their logistics timeliness when arriving in the same country is very different. International air transport uses aircraft, which is fast, while international sea transport uses ships, which is slow. For example, the U.S. special line normally takes 3-5 days to choose international air transportation, while international sea transportation takes 30-35 days, sometimes even longer.