China to Philippines: How to choose air freight vs sea freight?
Whether you are Filipino Chinese, international students, e-commerce sellers, or friends who like to shop for Chinese goods——
When sending items from China to the Philippines, choose the right logistics method to save money and worry!
Today’s article will help you figure it out:
How to choose between air transportation and sea transportation? What items cannot be sent? What’s the most cost-effective way to send it? 👇
Air freight: fast, but expensive
Suitable for the crowd:
Send documents, samples, small parcels, urgent items (mobile phones, clothes, cosmetics)
✅ Advantages:
· Fast delivery: 3-4 working days to major cities such as Manila
· Low loss rate
· Regular goods starting from 36 yuan/kg
📌 Little reminder:
Batteries, liquids, powders, cosmetics, brand names, and imitation brands are sensitive goods. Please go through special channels and don’t send them indiscriminately!
Sea freight: slow, but economical
Suitable for the crowd:
Send furniture, home appliances, bulk merchandise, moving luggage, and non-urgent daily necessities
✅ Advantages:
· 870-1300 yuan per cubic meter, more than half cheaper than air transportation
· Friendly for large and overweight items
❌ Disadvantages:
· Longer lead time: 15–25 working days
· Fragile items must be packed in reinforced packaging (wooden frames are recommended)
📌 Little reminder:
Shipping by cubic meter (CBM) or
Weight (volume/weight ratio: 1CBM=500KG) billing
The minimum billing starts from 0.3 cubic meters. It is not recommended to ship small items by sea.
Container shipping tips
✅What is container shipping?
The items you buy on Taobao, Pinduoduo, and JD.com are first sent to the domestic consolidation warehouse, and then combined into one package before being sent to the Philippines.
✅Why consolidate shipping?
· Save trouble: no need to connect multiple express delivery yourself
· Safer: professional packaging to reduce damage
✅Air Consolidation vs Ocean Consolidation
· Small items and urgent items → Consolidated by air freight
· Large items, no rush → ship by sea.
Special attention ⚠️
Philippine Customs inspects the following items strictly, so be sure to confirm before sending:
❌ It is strictly prohibited to send: drugs, weapons, flammable and explosive materials
⚠️Restrictions on shipping:
· Food (especially meat and fruits)
· Electronic products (large quantities may be taxed)
· Counterfeit brands and luxury goods (easily deducted)
Whether it’s your first time sending something to the Philippines or you’re a veteran, remember one core principle:
Don’t pursue speed → go for sea transportation
Pursue speed → take air transport