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 Generally the cheapest way is ocean freight (not air or courier). Here’s a quick guide to options and how to shrink costs. Best options by cost - Ocean freight, full container load (FCL): Cheapest per unit when you have enough volume to fill a container. One 20-foot or 40-foot container moves many items at a lower per-unit cost than any other mode. If you can justify a full container, this is usually the cheapest option. - Ocean freight, less-than-container-load (LCL): Best for smaller shipments. You pay per cubic meter (CBM) or per kilogram with a minimum charge, plus origin/destination charges and surcharges. It’s cheaper than air for the same cargo, but the per-unit cost can be higher than FCL if you only have a tiny shipment. - Rail freight (China↔Europe, or China↔Central Asia): Often cheaper than air, slower than sea, and can be a good middle option for some lanes. Costs are highly lane-dependent. - Air freight and courier: fastest but usually the most expensive. Use only for...