# CAINIAO shipping methods: air or sea?

Air is faster; sea suits heavy boxes. What sets the price is chargeable weight, the route's billing rules and what you are sending.

Updated November 6, 2026

**On this page**

[Air or sea](https://cainiaohelp.com/cainiao-shipping-methods.html#shipping) [Which route should you compare?](https://cainiaohelp.com/cainiao-shipping-methods.html#route-choice) [Routes and delivery times by destination](https://cainiaohelp.com/cainiao-shipping-methods.html#routes) [How the price is worked out](https://cainiaohelp.com/cainiao-shipping-methods.html#billing) [Questions](https://cainiaohelp.com/cainiao-shipping-methods.html#questions)

## Air or sea

Each destination has air and sea routes. Every route bills on chargeable weight, the greater of actual and volumetric weight, rounded up in steps; the route's own rates, divisor and limits set the final price.

- Air is faster; sea costs less per kilogram and suits heavy, non-urgent boxes.
- Batteries, liquids, powders and some other goods are accepted only on certain routes, or not at all.
- Measure the packed box: for light, bulky items, volumetric weight decides the price.

### Which route should you compare?

Compare only routes offered for your actual items and address. Air and sea labels alone do not determine the price or delivery date.

Scroll horizontally to see all columns.

| Your priority | What to check | Next step |
| --- | --- | --- |
| A delivery deadline | The route’s current estimate, when the estimate starts, and any stated delivery commitment. | Compare the available air and sea options against your deadline, allowing for warehouse handling and customs. Do not assume an estimate is a guarantee. |
| Large or lightweight parcels | Measured packed dimensions, actual weight, the route’s divisor, minimum charge and extra fees. | Compare the full air and sea quotes for the same items and destination; use the calculators with each route’s own billing rules. |
| Items with unclear acceptance | The exact product, materials and features, such as a battery, liquid or food content. | Check the selected route’s restrictions before buying. A route that accepts another parcel may not accept yours. |
| Ready to choose and pay | Route, warehouse, delivery address, total quote, import-charge handling and expected delivery. | Select a route only after those details are clear. If the option or warehouse is missing, confirm with official support first. |

This table is planning advice, not a route quote or delivery promise. The official consolidation site provides service, price and timing information; the selected order determines availability and charges.

- [CAINIAO official consolidation: services, prices and timing](https://shipping.conso.cainiao.com/)

## Routes and delivery times by destination

CAINIAO publishes these ranges on its route pages. They count from the working day after you pay for shipping and exclude public holidays and customs inspection; around Double 11 they can run longer.

| Destination | Air | Sea or land | Duty and tax |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| USA | 9–12 days (premium) or 12–15 days | 25–35 days (express) or 35–43 days (saver) | Included in the price |
| Canada | 9–12 working days | 30–40 working days | Duty included in the quote |
| Australia | 9–14 days (standard) | 37–55 days (economy) | GST not included |
| Malaysia (West) | 6–11 days | 17–25 days | Not stated |
| Japan | 2–5 days after consolidation | — | Not included; collected on delivery |
| Thailand | — | Land express, 4–6 working days | Not included |

[CAINIAO US routes](https://ys.cainiao.com/wow/z/fa/cainiaoheader/2QczjHCbREHbBMDQRWQm) · [Canada](https://ys.cainiao.com/wow/z/fa/cainiaoheader/26ZBQ3BTX4N) · [Australia](https://ys.cainiao.com/wow/z/fa/cainiaoheader/bRtYdaTKT2hbBTTDEYyb) · [Malaysia](https://ys.cainiao.com/wow/z/fa/default/q5jarz4ga7) · [Japan](https://ys.cainiao.com/wow/z/fa/cainiaoheader/dmhrawnyvj) · [Thailand](https://ys.cainiao.com/wow/z/fa/cainiaoheader/zscwzadijrif3x4y2nzz)

## How the price is worked out

- Every route page checked uses a volumetric divisor of 6000 (L × W × H in cm ÷ 6000) and bills the greater of actual and volumetric weight.
- The billing step differs: US air bills per 0.5 kg, US sea per 1 kg, and Thailand rounds up to 1 kg.
- Malaysia air bills actual weight unless volumetric weight exceeds it by more than 20 kg.
- Surcharges can apply: fuel on US routes, ¥30–40 per order for remote US addresses, and an oversize fee for large parcels.
- The published prices apply only in CAINIAO App and its WeChat mini program.

[CAINIAO US price and rules](https://ys.cainiao.com/wow/z/fa/cainiaoheader/2QczjHCbREHbBMDQRWQm)

## Questions

**How is volumetric weight calculated?**

Multiply length, width and height in centimetres and divide by the route's divisor. Every CAINIAO route page checked uses 6000, so a 50 × 40 × 30 cm box counts as 10 kg. Other carriers often use 5000, which gives 12 kg for the same box.

## Related guides

[Shipping cost calculator](https://cainiaohelp.com/tools.html#shipping-cost) [Shipping resources by destination](https://cainiaohelp.com/countries.html) [Warehouse](https://cainiaohelp.com/cainiao-warehouse.html) [Consolidation](https://cainiaohelp.com/cainiao-consolidation.html) [Repacking](https://cainiaohelp.com/cainiao-repacking.html) [Tracking](https://cainiaohelp.com/cainiao-tracking.html) [Problems & customs](https://cainiaohelp.com/cainiao-customs-and-delivery-problems.html) [Promo codes](https://cainiaohelp.com/cainiao-promo-code.html)

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CainiaoHelp is a CAINIAO-authorized guide to consolidation shipping.