Air Freight Shipping

Air Freight & Cargo

Air freight transfers and transports goods via a charter or commercial air carrier. Such loads travel from passenger and commercial aviation gateways to anywhere airport in the world. So, whether on Fedex, Ups, DHL aircraft, a commercial flight, or a charter, we’ll find the best and most efficient way to fly it. Because it’s not the logo on the plane that matters most, it is the logo on the cargo. Air is roughly 15x more expensive than ocean freight, which makes a huge difference. However, air cargo cannot ship large items as you can on an ocean vessel.

So, whether on UPS aircraft, a commercial flight, or a charter, we’ll search for an efficient way to fly it. Because it’s not the logo on the plane that matters most—it’s the logo on the cargo.
Explore options for International or within North America.

How To Calculate Air Freight Rates

Are you looking to calculate air rates? Shipping rates are based on the weight and size of the shipment. In Air freight, weight is determined either by the gross physical weight or the dimensional weight. Whichever is greater. Depending on the size, specific oversize fees can be added to the shipping cost. These additional fees are flat, and some are based on size or length.

Air freight shipping prices and costs

Global importers and exporters use air cargo to transport their products worldwide. Ocean freight providers transport roughly 90% of all imports and exports. As one can imagine, standard air freight is significantly faster than ocean freight reducing China-US ocean freight shipping time from 20-30 days to only three days by air. Regarding air freight shipping, weight, and volume are vital factors. Air carriers will charge by the dimensional or actual weight, which is greater. To calculate the dimensional weight for air shipping, multiply the LxWxH, then divide by the standard Dim weight factor of 194. For Example, L:48, W: 48in, H: 60 in. 48x48x60 / 194 = 713 dimensional weight.

In cases when the dimensional weight exceeds the actual weight of the product, the dimensional becomes the chargeable weight for the shipment. If you book freight on FreightCenter, it is done automatically.

Additional Air freight shipping fees

In addition to the cost of freight costs as discussed above, additional fees may apply when shipping door to door.

• Security surcharges
• Airport transfers
• Fuel surcharges
• Station/terminal handling charges

Depending on where your shipment is coming from or going to, the below fees may also apply:

• Customs Brokerage
• Pickup and delivery
• Cargo insurance
• Accessorial charge

Express Air Freight Providers

Typically speaking, express air shipments are usually smaller than standard air. Are usually done by big companies such as UPS, FedEx, or DHL. These providers manage the entire shipment lifecycle and ship door-to-door, usually in under 5 days. The largest cargo airplane that can hold an entire train is the Anatov 225.

How Much Does Air Freight Cost?

With our freight rate calculator, you will always have a market overview, ensuring you find the most favorable rates.  Air cargo rates change depending on the time of the year and the starting and destination countries, but for a popular route like China to the USA, expect to pay approximately $3-4 a pound. This means air cargo rates are around $6,000-8,000 a ton before discounts.

Comparing air freight forwarders

Checking various shipping rates from freight providers is not required. All our partners have long-term experience in their field. You can compare and book the best and best shipping rates on FreightCenter.com in a matter of minutes. Are international freight quotes and freight prices changing? International air freight usage grew slowly, showing less than 1% growth in 2015. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) said air freight growth only hit 1.6% in 2019. This is down from roughly 5% back in 2015. Due to lengthy delays plaguing ocean freight, more importers and exporters moved to air cargo.

Since the pandemic in March 2020, air cargo rates have doubled. This is due to many reasons, including:

• Constrained capacity
• Limited passenger travel due to restrictions
• Increased consumer demand
• Other factors resulting from the pandemic

Covid-19 Effects On Air Freight

Pre-COVID-19, international air cargo shipping rates ranged from approximately $5.50-$12.00 per pound. This depends on the type of cargo and available space. Shipping costs significantly increased in February 2020 when COVID-19 began a period of severe disruptions. The disruptions affected ocean freight, and the consumer demand for shipping air increased; as a result, air cargo rates reached a range of $11.00-$21.00 per pound. As of early to mid 2023, rates have dropped to around $6.50-$14.00 per pound, which is still higher than pre-pandemic shipping rates. This is likely due to increased fuel and labor costs.

Get the Lowest Air Freight Rates Available

We can help you through the complicated air freight process of pricing air freight rates and picking a carrier while arranging paperwork and the entire international air freight transaction. We will help coordinate your plan from pick up to delivery and stay committed to your air cargo. Faster transit times, competitive air freight rates pricing, and a vast network of carrier and service choices are some benefits you can expect when selecting us to handle your air shipping needs. We have well-established relationships with air cargo carriers and airlines for all major routes in most countries worldwide.

The Fastest International Shipping Option

Whether your global air freight needs to be serviced as expedited, consolidated, deferred, or another customized solution, our trained international freight experts will create the perfect plan for you. We have the fastest transit times available with our global express air service and can even arrange overnight delivery to certain countries. We excel at finding cost-effective solutions for our customers and getting your international air freight where and when you need it.

Additional Air Freight Services:

Customs Clearance & Insurance, As customs clearance often turns out to be complicated, a specialist’s help is usually required. So that you can book this service quickly and cheaply, you will find the service of customs clearance, which you can easily add when booking your air freight transport on our platform. Despite all the precautions, as with every transport, damages can occur. But not only your goods have to be affected, to make you liable for it. We recommend covering air freight insurance to avoid an unpleasant surprise and additional charges.

You can cover it quickly and favorably on our website. The Best Service, choosing FreightCenter for your global air freight will ensure you receive the best rates and quality customer service. If you would like to get started, you can contact a FreightCenter shipping expert at 800.716.7608.

What Goods Are Transported By Air?

Air cargo is costly. Air is often 5x the cost of 4–5 over the road transport and 12–16 times that of ocean or sea transport. As a consequence, air freight is typically high-value or time-sensitive items such as:

• Samples and Documents: The air remains the most cost-effective method of shipping documents.
• Seasonal shipments: When there is a high demand for a product, and it is made overseas, it will generally be shipped by air.
• Electronics. Steve Jobs is famously known for shipping the first iMac before the holiday season by purchasing the air freight capacity along key Asia-US routes.
• Clothing & Apparel: typically applies to higher expensive or luxury items. Due to the short season, luxury clothing brands with season products often transport goods via air freight or cargo.
• Medical supplies and Pharmaceuticals: Due to their value and small size, medical goods are frequently shipped by air.

Air Freight Competitive Advantages

Using air freight can create competitive advantages for any shipper. Retailers will often use the ocean for the initial large order of garments, electronics, and other goods manufacturers then use air freight to replenish inventories when demand requires.

Diversifying

Air freight can also be used to introduce goods and products with shorter shelf life or to deliver smaller volumes into new markets. Once the volumes increase and the market has been established, the manufacturer can reconstruct supply chains using a less costly mode of transport. Air freight is the only means of guaranteeing continuity for landlocked countries where exports require cold chains.

Shipping Product Samples

Air freight is vital in the shipment of product patterns, designs, and technical drawings. While this is not a significant source of air cargo, it is essential for manufacturers who export manufactured products. This includes product prototypes sent for the buyer’s approval before placing a large order.

Airports Holding Up The Shipment

An advantage of air freight is significantly reduced transit times over land. But getting the cargo to move quickly through an airport is critical. The four factors that affect how fast a shipment moves through an airport are:

• Customs clearing
• Inspection equipment
• Warehousing
• Cargo handling

Most cargo will move through the airport within a few hours. Customs procedures, inspection equipment, cargo handling services, and warehousing are essential.

Customs clearing

For imports, customs clearing and procedures are essential. The custom clearance requires the customs declaration and airway master bill, sent when the flight departs. In some countries, inbound freight can take up to a day or two to be cleared. In others, the procedures are adapted to air cargo requirements and conducted electronically. Electronically cleared shipments can happen within one or two hours.

Inspection equipment

For exports, the documents are filed when the cargo arrives at the destination airport. The inspection is done simultaneously so that the shipment can be loaded quickly. A 24-hour cooling period was added to the transit time, but this has been eliminated due to X-ray scanners. Full pallet scanners allow shippers to build their pallets off-airport and load them on the aircraft within a few hours.

Warehousing

Many warehousing and storage facilities at smaller and older airports are pretty simple. Most cargo only stays at airports for a short time. Generally, exports are time-sensitive, and imports are fast-moving and high-value products. Modern warehouses use loading docks to speed truck turnarounds and minimize vertical cargo movements. Export facilities have large areas for scanning, inspection, building palettes, and gathering cargo for specific flights. Separate import facilities have offices and inspection areas to facilitate customs clearance procedures and allow cargo segregation into truckloads. For perishable products, these warehouses have temperature-controlled rooms. This maintains the cold chain between the truck and the aircraft transporting the products.

Cargo handling

Cargo handlers at the airport should ensure the secure and efficient handling of the cargo. Contractors must provide the appropriate equipment for loading and unloading aircraft types.

In 3rd world countries, often there is only a single air freight provider, and they have a monopoly. Places such as this present a problem if the carrier is an inefficient state-owned. Private contractors maintain a monopoly in other airports, but performance is often regulated.

Air Freight FAQs

How Long Does Air Freight Take?

Standard air freight takes approximately 4 to 7 days door-to-door, whereas couriers can take under 2-3 days.

Is Ocean Freight Cheaper Than Air Freight?

Air Freight is much faster; however, the ocean is significantly cheaper.

How are air freight rates calculated?

Shipping rates are based on the weight and size of the shipment. In Air freight, weight is determined either by the gross physical weight or the dimensional weight. Whichever is greater. Depending on the size, specific oversize fees can be added to the shipping cost. These additional fees are flat, and some are based on size or length

What Are The Main Air Freight Exports?

Fresh cut flowers, electronic parts, and fresh fruits and vegetables.

Why Is Air Freight More Expensive Now?

The reality is that freight logistics is still heavily impacted by the pandemic. Air Freight Rates are roughly 60% higher than pre-pandemic air freight rates.

Is shipping By Air Greener than Ocean?

Studies show air cargo gives off more emissions. As of March of 2023, Air Freight gives off roughly 40x the CO2 emissions compared to the ocean. Not the greenest way to

How can I get cheaper air freight?

It comes down to being flexible with the delivery times and negotiating with multiple suppliers to find the best service quality.

How to calculate air freight cost

You can calculate air freight rates by contact air freight cargo providers and comparing the shipping rates and transit times to other carriers. It is recommended to use a air freight intermediary or freight broker to save you time and money.

Can You Negotiate Air Freight?

Yes, like most freight services air freight is negotiable. Shipping rates can be reduced if you are a frequent shipper.

How much more is air freight vs. sea freight?

Air freight is roughly 15x times more expensive than ocean freight, depending on the time of year.

What are the disadvantages of air freight?

• High Costs.
• Limited Carrying Capacity.
• Unfit for specific products.
• Dependable on weather conditions.