Sea or air for a small pet toy order?
A few cartons of samples or a test order normally go by air, door to door on DAP terms. Once the order fills pallets, a shared sea container (LCL) becomes the cheaper choice, and a larger order takes a 20 ft or 40 ft container of its own (FCL). The right answer depends on volume, how fast you need the goods and who you want to control the freight.
- For importers, shops and Amazon sellers
- Air, LCL and FCL from Vietnam
- About 6 minutes to read
The three ways a small order travels
| Your order | How it ships | Terms we would suggest |
|---|---|---|
| A few cartons: samples, a test order | Air, door to door | DAP |
| One or more pallets | Shared sea container (LCL) | FOB, CIF, or FCA to your forwarder's warehouse |
| Enough to fill a 20 ft or 40 ft container | Your own container (FCL) | FOB or CIF |
Air is the quickest for small loads but costs more per piece. Sea is slower and takes more planning, and the cost per piece drops as the order gets heavier. There is no fixed weight at which one beats the other: it moves with the route and the week, so we compare both when you ask for a quote.
When air makes sense
Air fits samples, a first test order across a few product codes, or a restock you cannot wait for. We ship these on DAP terms: the goods are delivered to your address, and import customs and duties stay with you. The paperwork is an air waybill (AWB) instead of a bill of lading, together with the commercial invoice and packing list.
Payment on a small DAP order by air follows our T/T 50/50 terms, with the balance due when the goods are finished, before pickup. Our minimum is 50 per item, and sizes can be split freely under one item, so a test order across several items can still fit in a few cartons.
One check before you choose air for an order into the United States: the rules for low-value shipments have changed. Read the end of US de minimis for pet sellers and confirm the current position with your customs broker.
When pallets go by sea (LCL)
Once your cartons fill a pallet or more, a shared container is the cheaper choice compared with flying them. Your pallets travel with other shippers' goods in one container. For coffee wood we use pallets of 1.2 × 1.1 m.
There are two common ways to run LCL with us:
- CIF. We book the freight through our forwarder, the B/L reads freight prepaid, and insurance is bought through the forwarder. Our forwarder also arranges fumigation when it is needed.
- FOB or FCA with your forwarder. Your forwarder carries the goods and the freight is yours (freight collect). If your forwarder consolidates at its own warehouse in Vietnam, FCA describes what really happens: we deliver there and clear export customs. See FCA explained.
The US International Trade Administration lists FOB and CIF among the four Incoterms 2020 rules for sea and inland waterway transport, while FCA and DAP are among the seven rules for any mode. For air shipments we use DAP.
When a full container pays
A 20 ft or 40 ft container just for your order gives the lowest shipping cost per piece once the volume is there. For plain goods, a full container takes 30–45 days of production from the day we receive the deposit, and the 20 ft and 40 ft take the same time. With labels, printed bags or boxes in your design, we confirm the time after seeing the design file.
On a full container the B/L carries your container and seal numbers. How to read one is in how to read a bill of lading, and what to check while the container is loaded is in container loading check.
What the material changes
Coffee wood is vacuum-packed with a desiccant pack inside each bag. Vacuum sealing slows moisture exchange. Wood that was checked but not vacuum-packed would pick up moisture again on a sea voyage in the rainy season. Keep the goods out of strong heat at your end too: coffee wood can crack from 40 °C, depending on its moisture at the time.
Hemp balls and coco coir are packed in poly bags, not vacuum-sealed. Pet beds are bulky, so tell us early if beds are in the mix: they change the volume, and with it the choice between air, LCL and a full container.
Shipping to Amazon FBA
Yes, we can deliver to an Amazon FBA warehouse. You have three ways to arrange it: book the freight through Amazon yourself, use your own forwarder, or ask us to quote the freight. Our standard carton for Amazon is 51 × 31 × 39 cm, packed under 22.5 kg. The full packing routine is in FBA prep for natural pet toys.
Freight quotes have a shelf life
Ocean freight on one route can change noticeably within a few weeks, so every freight quote we send has a validity date. Import duties are decided by customs in your country, and we agree how they are handled before we quote. On DAP you keep control of duties yourself, which is one reason we suggest DAP rather than DDP. Confirm duty rates with your customs broker before you order.
Bear in mind that insurance bought under CIF is minimum cover and does not pay for moisture, mould, cracking or breakage. Product checks before shipment matter more than the policy.
Questions buyers ask about sea and air
Should my first order go by air or by sea?
A few cartons for samples or a test order go by air on DAP terms. Once the order fills pallets, a shared sea container is the cheaper choice.
Can I use FOB for an air shipment?
The US International Trade Administration lists FOB among the rules for sea and inland waterway transport. For air we ship on DAP.
Who books the freight on LCL?
On CIF we book it through our forwarder. On FOB or FCA your forwarder books it and the freight is yours.
Can you deliver straight to an Amazon warehouse?
Yes. You can also book through Amazon yourself or use your own forwarder.
How long is a freight quote valid?
Each freight quote carries its own validity date, because ocean rates on one route can change within a few weeks.
Tell us the mix, we compare the routes
Send the items, rough quantities and your port or warehouse address, and we will compare air, LCL and a full container for you.
Ask for a quote Coffee wood chews
Not ready to order? Start with samples: your first 3 are free, you pay the shipping.