Air cargo4 min read
Air vs ocean freight to the Caribbean: when speed is worth it
Air cargo arrives in days, ocean freight costs a fraction. How chargeable weight works and when to pay for speed.
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How air freight is priced
Airlines charge by chargeable weight — the greater of actual weight or volumetric weight (length × width × height in cm ÷ 6,000). Light, bulky cargo can cost far more than its scale weight suggests.
When air makes sense
Choose air cargo for:
- Urgent spare parts that stop production when missing
- High-value, low-volume goods like electronics or pharmaceuticals
- Perishables with a short shelf life
- Samples and documents for a deadline
The middle ground
Ocean freight from the US East Coast reaches Caucedo in an estimated 7–10 days, depending on the sailing schedule. For many shippers, a well-planned ocean booking delivers nearly the same result as economy air at a fraction of the cost.