Choosing Air or Sea should start from the item and the time you need to receive it. An option that is suitable for a small batch that is urgently needed may not be suitable for a bulky batch that has been planned in advance.
What is the difference between Air and Sea?
According to DHL Global Forwarding's instructions, air freight often has the advantage of speed, while sea freight is often more suitable in terms of cost for large quantities of goods. However, choosing the method still needs to consider the schedule and conditions of the specific route. Source: DHL, Choosing Between Air and Ocean Freight.
| Points to consider | Talk about Air | Talking about Sea |
|---|---|---|
| Priority | When do you need goods? | Where can you proactively plan to receive? |
| Scale | Weight and size of each package. | Volume, number of packages and packaging. |
| Cost | How to calculate weight and accompanying amounts. | Unit of calculation, minimum level and accompanying amounts. |
| Collection and delivery | Final pick-up point and domestic sector fees if any. | Final pick-up point and domestic sector fees if any. |
The above table is a list of questions for comparison, not a price list or schedule commitment. Warehouse pick-up or home delivery needs to be confirmed separately with the physical address in the Philippines.
1. Set the time to receive and the milestone to start calculating
Instead of just asking “how many days will it take”, state the date you expect the recipient to have the item. Ask about the advised time from the time Gia Phú receives the package, when processing is completed or from the time the shipment departs. It is also important to clarify business days or calendar days.
If the goods are used for an event, it should clearly state that it is an important deadline. Do not automatically assume that the time it arrives at the warehouse is the time it is delivered to the recipient. A useful schedule must have both a starting point and an ending point.
2. Compare total payables
Two numbers can only be compared when in the same range. You can include the following items in the message: Vietnam pick-up, handling/packaging, international leg, procedures or taxes when applicable, delivery leg in the Philippines. Ask for advice to clearly state which items are included, which items are not included, and who pays.
Do not add unreported fees as if they were definitely incurred; also do not consider the unmentioned item as free. Please retain the final quote for comparison upon handover.
3. Inspect the item before choosing by price
Goods with unique characteristics that need to be described in advance: battery, liquid, fragile or temperature requirements. Choosing Sea does not mean that all items are allowed to be sent. Import regulations and reception conditions still need to be checked independently of the method.
Prepare list and photos accordingly checklist sent to the Philippines for the first time. Once you have feedback on your ability to receive goods, you will have a basis for choosing the appropriate option.
Two illustrative situations to ask questions
Small parcel but needs to be received by a specific date
Priority to ask for Air schedules and response capabilities at the receiving address. Send measurements to check charges; We cannot infer that small packages are always cheap or reliably timely just from the method name.
Multi-bin batches and can be planned in advance
Thanks for comparing Sea with Air using the same list. Clearly state the total number of packages, volume, delivery time and how the recipient will pick up the goods. This is a hypothetical situation to illustrate how to inquire, not a shipment or quote made.
Solution closing message
Please compare air and sea freight for the shipment in this packing list. I need delivery to [address] by [required date]. Please specify the charging unit, included and excluded charges, the starting point for transit time and the final delivery location.
If you don't have case data yet, start with instructions for weighing and measuring goods. There's no need to decide on a method before you have enough data to compare.
Need to check a shipment to the Philippines?
See route information and price list at Gia Phú Express shipping page to the Philippines. You can call 097 186 7777 or message Zalo for exchange according to actual package.