Image 1 of 1
Image 1 of 1
Image 1 of 1
Image 1 of 1
Shipping your clothing collection doesn't have to be complicated.
Choosing between air and sea freight can have a major impact on your production costs, profit margins, and launch timeline.
The SEAMLINK Air vs. Sea Freight Guide is a practical 14-page resource designed to help fashion brands, independent designers, and apparel businesses better understand international shipping and make informed logistics decisions.
Whether you're shipping your first collection from China or managing regular bulk production, this guide breaks down shipping methods, costs, delivery planning, and the risks that can affect your business.
Air vs. Sea Freight: Understand the differences between express shipping, air cargo, sea LCL, and full-container shipping.
Shipping Cost Breakdowns: Learn about chargeable weight, volumetric weight, CBM, customs charges, and hidden logistics fees.
Realistic Delivery Planning: Understand the difference between factory completion, shipment departure, customs clearance, and final delivery.
Cost Comparison Examples: Explore illustrated calculations comparing shipping costs for a 300-piece apparel order.
Split Shipping Strategies: Learn when it makes sense to ship urgent inventory by air and the remaining stock by sea.
Import Responsibilities: Understand DDP, DAP, customs clearance, and importer responsibilities for China-to-U.S. apparel shipments.
Freight Quote Checklists: Know what to ask freight forwarders before approving a shipment.
Fillable Planning Worksheets: Prepare shipment details and compare up to three freight quotes side by side.
Fashion designers, startup clothing brands, apparel business owners, production managers, and anyone preparing to manufacture or import garments internationally.
14-page digital PDF guide
Two fillable freight planning and comparison worksheets
Illustrative shipping cost calculations
Practical checklists and decision-making tools
2026 revised edition
Shipping your clothing collection doesn't have to be complicated.
Choosing between air and sea freight can have a major impact on your production costs, profit margins, and launch timeline.
The SEAMLINK Air vs. Sea Freight Guide is a practical 14-page resource designed to help fashion brands, independent designers, and apparel businesses better understand international shipping and make informed logistics decisions.
Whether you're shipping your first collection from China or managing regular bulk production, this guide breaks down shipping methods, costs, delivery planning, and the risks that can affect your business.
Air vs. Sea Freight: Understand the differences between express shipping, air cargo, sea LCL, and full-container shipping.
Shipping Cost Breakdowns: Learn about chargeable weight, volumetric weight, CBM, customs charges, and hidden logistics fees.
Realistic Delivery Planning: Understand the difference between factory completion, shipment departure, customs clearance, and final delivery.
Cost Comparison Examples: Explore illustrated calculations comparing shipping costs for a 300-piece apparel order.
Split Shipping Strategies: Learn when it makes sense to ship urgent inventory by air and the remaining stock by sea.
Import Responsibilities: Understand DDP, DAP, customs clearance, and importer responsibilities for China-to-U.S. apparel shipments.
Freight Quote Checklists: Know what to ask freight forwarders before approving a shipment.
Fillable Planning Worksheets: Prepare shipment details and compare up to three freight quotes side by side.
Fashion designers, startup clothing brands, apparel business owners, production managers, and anyone preparing to manufacture or import garments internationally.
14-page digital PDF guide
Two fillable freight planning and comparison worksheets
Illustrative shipping cost calculations
Practical checklists and decision-making tools
2026 revised edition