A mixed basket rarely wants one freight mode. Rattan furniture and PCBA have almost nothing in common on a rate sheet: one is volume, the other is value. Choosing per category rather than per shipment is usually worth more than negotiating the rate itself.
The two numbers that decide the mode
- Density (kg per cbm): under ~167 kg/cbm your goods are volumetric — air freight punishes you.
- Value density (USD per kg): above roughly USD 25-30 per kg, air freight often costs less than the working capital and stockout risk of five weeks at sea.
| Category | Typical profile | Sensible default |
|---|---|---|
| Electronics / PCBA | High value, low volume | Air for launch, sea for replenishment |
| Metal parts | Heavy, dense | Sea FCL |
| Plastics / housings | Bulky, low value | Sea FCL, nest parts |
| Textiles | Compressible | Sea; air only for peak restock |
| Home & rattan | Very bulky | Sea FCL, optimise cartons |
| Food & ingredients | Weight, temperature | Sea; reefer where required |
Hybrid splits that work
- Launch split: air the first 10-15% to hit the on-shelf date, sea the balance.
- Category split: one FCL for the bulky categories, an LCL or air consolidation for the small high-value lines.
- Rolling consolidation: weekly collection into a Bangkok or Laem Chabang warehouse, one departure per month — lower per-unit cost than four LCL bookings.
Ports and routings from Thailand
Laem Chabang handles most containerised exports; Bangkok Port suits smaller LCL volumes; Suvarnabhumi covers air. Direct services run to the US West Coast, Europe via transhipment, and Australia with short transits. Ask for transit time and reliability, not just the rate — a cheap service with two transhipments costs more in buffer stock.
Do not forget the paperwork per category
Food, cosmetics and electrical goods carry extra documents. A single container holding all three needs every set correct or the whole box waits. See HS codes and duty for mixed baskets.
Where TUSKO fits
We consolidate multiple factories into one departure, choose the mode per category against your landed-cost target, and keep the document set complete before the booking is confirmed. Track the whole basket in one place instead of chasing five suppliers.
FAQ
Is LCL always cheaper for small volumes? No. Above roughly 12-15 cbm, an FCL is often cheaper and always faster to clear.
Can one container mix food and non-food? Frequently yes, with proper segregation and documentation — confirm the destination rules first.
When is air freight rational? Launch volumes, high value density, and replenishment where a stockout costs more than the freight premium.