There are many different methods of ensuring your products get from you, or the manufacturing factory, to the retailer, or even the customer that wants them. Of course, in the 21st century, the most modern form of product shipment is by using aircraft, also known as “air freight,” but when does it actually make sense to use this type of shipping? Here are a few of the circumstances that justify it.
The Product Has A Short Lifespan
While some products, such as retail electronics, can sit on shelves indefinitely until needed, there are others, such as premium food or beverages that will only last a matter of weeks, or even days before their condition is compromised. If you are shipping something with a short expiration date of any sort, then getting it to its destination as quickly as possible is critical. Air freight is the fastest form of transportation, and therefore makes the most sense in this instance.
The Product Is Temperature Sensitive
Temperature sensitive products may not necessarily have a short lifespan, such as a bottle of wine, that can be stored indefinitely, but their vulnerability to temperature shifts means they must be shipped with care. This is why it sometimes makes more sense when shipping temperature-sensitive products to consider air freight. Longer shipping times may require extra investment in precautions such as reefer units. Air freight, however, allows for shipping temperature sensitive products using other means of protection, such as insulated box liners, since products will only be shipped for a matter of hours, not weeks.
Your Production Schedule Is Variable
Freight sent by sea vessels is extremely cost-effective, but only if you are certain of your production schedule. When you can’t commit to a specific manufacturing and distribution schedule, and you must be able to ship things quickly as and when needed, air freight is the better way to go. Again, this can be particularly true of shipping temperature sensitive products.
Your Budget Is Generous
It should come as no surprise that the fastest method of cargo transportation is also the most costly. Shipping products via air freight means paying premium prices. If your business is in a position where it can justify this expense without breaking the budget, that’s a perfectly acceptable reason to go with air freight rather than the slower, but less costly sea-going cargo vessels.
If you’re shipping temperature-sensitive products and want to know how to transport them safely to their destination, we can help. Contact us to explain your shipping needs and obtain a quote.
