Updated September 6, 2026
Buyer guidance from Max Deck Print. Final specifications and commercial terms are confirmed for each project.
Use air freight when the launch date matters more than the lowest freight cost; use sea freight when the order is large, dense and planned well in advance. A practical planning range is 5–12 days for express/air delivery and 25–45 days port-to-port for sea freight, with customs and local delivery added in both cases.
Air vs sea freight comparison
| Decision point | Air / express | Sea freight |
|---|---|---|
| Transit planning range | 5–12 days | 25–45 days port-to-port |
| Best for | Samples, urgent launches and smaller shipments | Larger bulk orders with schedule flexibility |
| Cost basis | Actual or volumetric chargeable weight | Volume, route, port and service type |
| Schedule frequency | Generally more frequent | Depends on vessel departure and routing |
| Main risk | High cost for bulky premium packaging | Longer delay if a sailing is missed |
| Delivery scope | Courier, airport or door service | Port, LCL/FCL or door service |
Playing cards are dense, but packaging changes the shipment volume. A shrink-wrapped deck packs efficiently. A rigid gift box or tin may multiply carton volume even when the card count is unchanged. Freight should therefore be quoted from the finished packed specification, not from deck quantity alone.
Information needed for a useful freight estimate
- Complete delivery address, postcode and destination country.
- Consignee company and contact phone number.
- Deck quantity, cards per deck and finished packaging option.
- Required arrival date and whether partial air delivery is acceptable.
- Preferred trade term, if your company already uses a forwarder.
- Any warehouse appointment, pallet or carton-label requirements.
Three practical shipping strategies
1. All-air shipment
Use all-air shipping for a fixed event, sample approval, urgent replacement or smaller launch quantity. Confirm whether the quote is courier door-to-door, airport-to-airport or a freight service that still needs customs brokerage and local delivery.
2. All-sea shipment
Use sea freight when the bulk order is large and inventory can arrive well before launch. Ask whether the route is LCL or FCL and whether destination port charges, customs clearance and final delivery are included.
3. Split shipment
A split shipment sends a small quantity by air for launch or photography and the balance by sea. It can reduce schedule risk without paying air rates for the entire order. The factory must know this before export packing so carton quantities and documents are separated correctly.
Freight is quoted separately from the factory product
Max Deck Print prepares project-specific USD factory quotations after reviewing the brief. Shipping depends on the route, carton dimensions, packed weight, destination and service level. The final quotation should distinguish product value, samples, shipping, delivery terms and payment arrangements.
For schedule planning, also read the custom playing card production timeline. It separates artwork, proofing, production and freight so the deadline is easier to manage.
Frequently asked questions
How long does air shipping for playing cards take?
Use 5–12 days as a planning range for express or air delivery, then confirm the exact service, customs process and final postcode before approving the PI.
How long does sea shipping for playing cards take?
A common planning range is 25–45 days port-to-port, plus export handling, customs clearance and local delivery. Route and sailing schedule can change this materially.
Is shipping included in the online deck price?
No. The online estimate is a factory product price in USD. Freight is calculated after packed volume, weight, destination and delivery terms are known.
Can part of one order ship by air and the rest by sea?
Yes. A split shipment is useful when a small launch quantity is urgent and the balance can travel by sea. It must be planned before carton packing and export documents are finalized.
Ready to price your deck?
Share the quantity, card count and available specifications for a manual project quote. Artwork can follow later. Sending an enquiry does not confirm an order or collect payment.