Air Freight vs Sea Freight: Which Should You Choose?
Both get your package from Plantation, FL to Kingston — the right choice comes down to how fast you need it and how big or heavy it is.
The short answer
If your package is small to medium-sized and you want it in Jamaica in 2–4 business days, choose Air Freight. If you're shipping something large or bulky where speed matters less than cost per size — furniture, appliances, big bulk orders — Sea Freight is usually the better value.
| Air Freight | Sea Freight | |
|---|---|---|
| Priced by | Weight (lbs) | Volume (cubic feet) |
| Starting rate | $4.50 first lb, then $2.75/lb | $12.00 per cubic foot |
| Typical transit | 2–4 business days | Longer — best when you're not in a rush |
| Best for | Everyday parcels: clothing, electronics, most online orders | Large or bulky low-density items |
Why weight vs. volume matters
Air Freight is priced by weight because cargo planes are constrained by how much they can lift. Sea Freight is priced by volume (cubic feet) because ocean freight is constrained by space, not weight — a large but light item (like a bulky but empty storage bin) can cost more to ship by air relative to its value, but be efficient by sea.
Need it fast? There's an Express option
Air Freight Express adds priority handling on the next available flight for an additional $10 over the standard air rate — useful when timing matters more than saving a few dollars.
Try both on the calculator
The easiest way to decide is to just check both. Head to the Rates page, enter your package's weight for Air Freight and its estimated cubic footage for Sea Freight, and compare the two estimates side by side before you decide.