The choice of transport mode has a direct effect on the total cost and duration of the supply chain. The cheapest option is not always the most economical: storage, insurance and transhipment costs often even out the difference.
Road transport
The most widely used option on routes to and from Türkiye, Georgia, Iran and Europe.
- door-to-door delivery is possible
- flexible for small and medium consignments
- groupage shipments are available
- the price advantage narrows as the distance grows
Sea transport
For large, non-urgent shipments this is the most economical method per unit of weight.
- best suited to container shipments
- appropriate for goods from distant markets — China, South-East Asia, the Americas
- the transit time is longer than with other modes
- onward road carriage is needed after the port
Air transport
The most expensive option by price and the fastest by transit time.
- for urgent, valuable and lightweight shipments
- for products with a limited shelf life
- sensitive to every kilogram, so packing is worth optimising
Rail transport
Azerbaijan's geographical position makes rail convenient on transit routes.
- for large consignments of homogeneous cargo
- an intermediate option between sea and road
- runs to a timetable, which makes planning easier
What to compare when choosing
- the weight, volume and characteristics of the cargo
- the route and the border crossing points
- how critical the delivery date is
- total costs — not only freight, but storage, transhipment and insurance
- the point at which responsibility passes under the delivery term (Incoterms)
Multimodal shipments
In practice a combination of modes is often more economical: by sea to the port, then by road to the warehouse. On such routes the sequence of documents and the coordination of transhipment points matter particularly.
Tell us your route and the parameters of the cargo, and we will compare several options by transit time and total cost.
Still have a question?
Get in touch to discuss your specific customs clearance situation — our team will explain it within the framework of the law.
