October 18, 2025

7 min read

Logistics

Ocean Freight vs Air Freight to Latin America: Which is Right for You?

Compare costs, transit times, and environmental impact of ocean and air freight options for Latin American destinations. Make informed decisions for your shipping needs.

Making the Right Choice

Choosing between ocean and air freight is one of the most important decisions when shipping to Latin America. Each mode has distinct advantages and trade-offs in terms of cost, speed, capacity, and environmental impact.

Ocean Freight: The Cost-Effective Choice

Advantages

•Significant Cost Savings - Ocean freight typically costs 4-6 times less than air freight for the same shipment
•High Volume Capacity - Ideal for large, heavy, or bulky shipments
•Flexible Container Options - 20ft, 40ft, and 40ft High Cube containers available
•Lower Carbon Footprint - More environmentally sustainable per ton-mile

Disadvantages

•Longer Transit Times - 2-6 weeks depending on destination
•Less Frequent Departures - Weekly or bi-weekly sailings to some ports
•Limited Accessibility - Only available to port cities without additional inland transport
•Weather Sensitivity - Potential delays due to port congestion or weather conditions

Best For

•Non-urgent shipments with flexible delivery timelines
•Large volume or heavy cargo
•Cost-sensitive shipments where time is not critical
•Regular, recurring shipments that allow for planning

Did you know?

A single 40ft container can hold up to 10,000 bottles of wine or 200 flat-screen TVs, making ocean freight incredibly efficient for bulk shipments to Latin America.

Air Freight: The Speed Solution

Advantages

•Fast Transit Times - 1-5 days to most Latin American destinations
•Reliable Schedules - Daily or multiple weekly flights available
•Greater Security - Reduced handling and shorter transport time minimizes loss risk
•Better Tracking - More frequent status updates throughout the journey

Disadvantages

•Higher Costs - Significantly more expensive per kilogram than ocean freight
•Size and Weight Restrictions - Limited by aircraft dimensions and weight capacity
•Environmental Impact - Higher carbon emissions per ton-mile
•Restricted Items - Dangerous goods regulations more stringent than ocean freight

Best For

•Time-sensitive or urgent shipments
•High-value, low-weight products
•Perishable goods requiring fast delivery
•Just-in-time inventory management
•Samples or prototypes needed quickly

Cost Comparison

Here's a practical example comparing costs for shipping from Vancouver to São Paulo, Brazil:

Ocean Freight (20ft Container)

Transit Time: 20-25 days
Freight Cost: $3,500 - $4,500
Additional Costs: $800-1,200
Total: $4,300 - $5,700
Capacity: Up to 28m³ / 20,000 kg
Cost per kg: $0.22 - $0.29

Air Freight (1,000 kg shipment)

Transit Time: 3-5 days
Freight Cost: $4.50 - $6.00/kg
Total Freight: $4,500 - $6,000
Additional Costs: $300-500
Total: $4,800 - $6,500
Cost per kg: $4.80 - $6.50

Key Insight: Air freight costs roughly 15-20 times more per kilogram, but for small, urgent shipments, the total cost difference may be manageable relative to business needs.

Did you know?

For shipments under 100kg, air freight can sometimes be more cost-effective than ocean freight when you factor in minimum charges, consolidation fees, and total door-to-door costs.

Transit Time Comparison to Major Destinations

From Vancouver

Destination	Ocean Freight	Air Freight
Mexico City	10-14 days (via Manzanillo)	1-2 days
Lima, Peru	14-18 days	2-3 days
Santiago, Chile	18-22 days	2-3 days
Buenos Aires, Argentina	25-30 days	3-4 days

From Toronto/Montreal

Destination	Ocean Freight	Air Freight
Bogotá, Colombia	15-20 days	2-3 days
São Paulo, Brazil	20-25 days	2-4 days
Panama City	12-16 days	2-3 days

Environmental Considerations

Sustainability is increasingly important for businesses. Transportation accounts for a significant portion of supply chain carbon emissions.

Carbon Footprint Comparison

Ocean Freight

10-40g CO₂

per ton-kilometer

Air Freight

500-700g CO₂

per ton-kilometer

Air freight produces roughly 15-20 times more carbon emissions than ocean freight for the same distance and weight. Companies with sustainability goals should prioritize ocean freight when possible.

Did you know?

Shipping one 40ft container from Vancouver to Chile via ocean produces approximately the same carbon emissions as shipping just 80kg via air freight over the same distance.

Hybrid Approaches

Smart logistics often involves using both methods strategically:

Sea-Air Shipping

Ship via ocean freight to a hub like Panama or Mexico, then use air freight for the final leg. This balances cost and speed while reducing total transit time compared to all-ocean routing.

Deferred Air Freight

Some carriers offer deferred or economy air service at lower rates, using available cargo space. This is slower than standard air freight but faster than ocean.

Strategic Inventory Positioning

Use ocean freight for bulk inventory, then maintain local stock for immediate needs. Supplement with air freight only for urgent replenishment.

Decision Framework

Use this framework to choose the right shipping method:

Choose Ocean Freight When:

✓Cost minimization is the primary concern
✓You have 4-8 weeks lead time
✓Shipping volume is high (multiple pallets or containers)
✓Products are heavy, bulky, or low-value per kg
✓Environmental sustainability is a priority

Choose Air Freight When:

✓Delivery deadline is urgent (less than 2 weeks)
✓Product value is high relative to weight
✓Shipment is small (under 500 kg)
✓Products are time-sensitive or perishable
✓Supply chain disruption requires expedited delivery

Metro Shippers' Expertise

Metro Shippers offers both ocean and air freight services to Latin America, with expertise to help you choose the optimal solution for each shipment.

Our services include:

•Comprehensive cost-benefit analysis for your specific needs
•Access to competitive rates for both ocean and air freight
•Consolidation services to reduce costs for smaller shipments
•Hybrid routing options to balance cost and speed
•Carbon footprint reporting for sustainability tracking

Get Expert Guidance

Not sure which shipping method is right for your Latin American shipment? Our logistics experts can analyze your specific requirements and recommend the most cost-effective solution.