Key Takeaways

• Air Cargo is the international transportation of goods by aircraft, making it suitable for shipments that require fast delivery.
• It is suitable for commercial cargo, high-value goods, urgent shipments, and certain types of special cargo.
• Freight charges are calculated by comparing Actual Weight with Volumetric Weight, with Chargeable Weight used for pricing.
• Before shipping, check the dimensions, weight, documentation, cargo restrictions, and requirements of the destination country.

International goods transportation is available in several modes, including air, sea, and road freight. Air Cargo is one option for shipments where speed is a priority, especially business goods that must arrive according to a schedule, high-value goods, or goods that are not suitable for long transit times.

However, choosing Air Cargo should not be based on transit time alone. Dimensions, weight, cargo type, documentation, customs procedures, and costs must also be checked before booking.

What Is Air Cargo?

Air Cargo is the transportation of goods by air, using aircraft as the primary means of moving shipments between the airport of departure and the destination airport. It is commonly used for commercial shipments that require fast transportation or have requirements that differ from those of general courier parcels.

The Air Cargo process may include pickup at origin, transportation to the airport, export customs clearance, flight booking, air transportation, import customs clearance, and delivery in the destination country, depending on the selected service scope.

CPL INTER provides Air Cargo services through airlines such as Thai Airways, Malaysia Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, and Emirates. Flight schedules and destination airports can be arranged to suit each shipment.

How Is Air Cargo Different from Air Courier?

Although both Air Cargo and Air Courier use aircraft to transport goods, their service characteristics differ.

Air Courier

Suitable for parcels or shipments that are not very large, require express service, and need a Door-to-Door process through a courier network. Tracking and last-mile delivery are generally managed within the service provider's network.

Air Cargo

Suitable for commercial cargo, goods with larger volumes or higher weights, and shipments that require planning for flights, airports, customs clearance, or handling according to the cargo's requirements.

To compare these two services, read more in What Is Air Courier? Sending Goods Overseas Door to Door: Which Types of Goods Is It Suitable For?

What Types of Goods Are Suitable for Air Cargo?

Air Cargo is suitable for goods for which transit time affects costs or business operations, such as:

• Urgent shipments
• Spare parts and machinery components
• Electronic Components
• High-value goods
• Product samples or Samples
• Fashion and Seasonal Products
• Goods required for urgent Stock replenishment
• Certain types of food or Perishable goods
• Certain types of temperature-controlled goods
• Certain types of Dangerous Goods accepted by the airline
• Commercial Shipments that require full customs clearance procedures

However, special cargo cannot necessarily be shipped immediately. Its classification, packaging, documentation, and airline acceptance must be checked every time.

How Is Air Cargo Suitable for Urgent Shipments?

One major advantage of Air Cargo is that international transit times are shorter than sea freight on many routes. It is therefore suitable for goods whose late arrival could increase costs or cause a business to miss opportunities.

For example, a factory may run out of a spare part for a machine. If it has to wait a long time for Sea Freight, production downtime may occur, costing more than the difference in freight charges. In this case, choosing Air Cargo may help reduce the cost of delay.

Another example is a product that must launch as part of a campaign or a seasonal product. If it arrives after the selling period, the business may lose more revenue opportunities even if the freight cost is lower.

What Air Cargo Service Options Are Available?

The Air Cargo service scope can be arranged in several ways, depending on the route and service provider.

Door to Airport

Goods are picked up at origin, transported to the origin airport, cleared through export customs, and shipped to the destination airport. The consignee or its representative in the destination country then handles import customs clearance and onward delivery.

This option is suitable for consignees who already have a customs broker or logistics partner in the destination country.

Door to Door

This service covers pickup at origin, export customs clearance, Air Freight, import customs clearance in the destination country, and final delivery according to the agreed service scope.

Door to Door reduces the number of parties the shipper needs to coordinate with. However, it is important to confirm exactly whether the quotation includes Import Duty, Tax, or any destination charges.

What Should You Know About Cargo Dimensions and Weight Before Shipping by Air Cargo?

The key information needed before requesting a freight quote is the dimensions and weight of the goods after packing.

Prepare the following information:

• Number of Packages
• Width
• Length
• Height
• Gross Weight per Package
• Total Gross Weight
• Packaging Type
• Stackable or Non-Stackable

Air Cargo charges are not calculated based on Actual Weight alone. The volumetric weight must also be compared.

What Are Actual Weight, Volumetric Weight, and Chargeable Weight?

Actual Weight is the actual weight of the goods after packing.

Volumetric Weight is the weight calculated based on the space occupied by the goods during transportation.

For CPL INTER Air Cargo services, the following formula can be used for an initial estimate:

Width × Length × Height (cm) ÷ 6,000 = Volumetric Weight (kg)

For example, a box measuring 60 × 50 × 40 cm:

60 × 50 × 40 ÷ 6,000 = 20 kg

If the Actual Weight is 12 kg but the Volumetric Weight is 20 kg, 20 kg will be used as the Chargeable Weight for calculation.

However, if the Actual Weight is 25 kg, 25 kg will be used.

In principle, Actual Weight is compared with Volumetric Weight, and the higher value is used as the basis for calculating freight charges. Actual rates and conditions must be confirmed with the airline and service selected at booking.

Why Does Packing Affect Air Cargo Charges?

The dimensions used to calculate freight charges are the dimensions after packing, not just the dimensions of the product itself.

For example, a product may be relatively small, but if it is packed in an unnecessarily large box or Wooden Crate, its Volumetric Weight will increase accordingly.

On the other hand, packaging should not be reduced to the point that the goods are inadequately protected, because Air Cargo goes through several handling stages, such as:

• Pickup
• Warehouse
• Cargo Terminal
• Loading
• Unloading
• Customs
• Delivery

The goal of packing should be to protect the goods appropriately without unnecessarily increasing their dimensions and weight.

Read more in How Should You Pack Goods Safely? 5 Ways to Reduce Damage During International Shipping.

What Documents Are Required for Air Cargo?

Commercial shipments by air generally involve documents such as:

• Commercial Invoice
• Packing List
• Air Waybill
• Export or import customs declaration, as applicable
• Certificate of Origin, if required
• Permit or License for controlled goods
• Product-specific Certificates
• SDS or MSDS if the goods involve chemicals or Dangerous Goods
• Other documents required by the origin and destination countries

The actual documents required vary depending on the goods, route, and destination. They should therefore be checked before booking to prevent document amendments after the goods are ready to ship.

What Is an Air Waybill (AWB)?

An Air Waybill is an air transportation document that shows shipment information, such as:

• Shipper
• Consignee
• Airport of Departure
• Airport of Destination
• Number of Packages
• Gross Weight
• Cargo Description

The information in the AWB should be consistent with the Commercial Invoice, Packing List, and information used in the Customs Declaration.

Can Goods Containing Batteries or Classified as Dangerous Goods Be Shipped by Air Cargo?

Certain types of Dangerous Goods can be transported by air, but each product and route must be checked individually.

Examples of goods for which additional information should be provided before booking include:

• Lithium Battery
• Power Bank
• Electronic Equipment containing a Battery
• Perfume
• Aerosol
• Spray
• Paint
• Adhesive
• Chemical
• Flammable liquids
• Dry Ice

Information that may be required for assessment includes:

• SDS
• UN Number
• Hazard Class
• Packing Group
• Battery Specification
• Watt-hour
• Packaging
• Quantity

Acceptance depends on the type of goods, airline, aircraft, and applicable regulations. Therefore, do not declare goods using only a broad product name if they contain components that may be classified as Dangerous Goods.

Can Air Cargo Transport Temperature-Controlled Goods?

Certain types of temperature-controlled goods can be transported, but both transportation and ground handling must be planned.

Provide information such as:

• Required Temperature
• Chilled or Frozen
• Shelf Life
• Packaging
• Dry Ice, if used
• Data Logger, according to requirements
• Maximum Transit Time

Food, pharmaceutical products, and other temperature-sensitive products must be assessed based on the time required before loading, during transit, and after landing—not just the flight time.

How Many Days Does Air Cargo Take?

Air Cargo transit time depends on the route, flight schedule, and service scope. There is no fixed number of days that applies to every shipment.

The total transit time may include:

• Pickup
• Export Customs
• Cargo Acceptance
• Waiting for Flight
• Flight
• Transshipment
• Destination Handling
• Import Customs
• Inspection
• Final Delivery

Therefore, Flight Time is not the same as Door-to-Door Transit Time.

Before booking, check the flight schedule and estimated transit time for the actual shipment.

What Costs Are Involved in Air Cargo?

Air Cargo costs include more than the Air Freight Rate and may consist of:

• Pickup
• Export Customs Clearance
• Origin Handling
• Documentation
• Air Freight
• Security or Surcharge, as applicable
• Destination Handling
• Import Customs Clearance
• Duty & Tax
• Storage, if incurred
• Special Handling
• DG Charge, where applicable
• Final Delivery

Before comparing quotations, check whether the service is Airport to Airport, Door to Airport, or Door to Door, and which costs are already included in each price.

Which Types of Businesses Are Suited to Air Cargo?

Air Cargo is suitable for businesses where shipping speed affects revenue, production, or inventory, such as:

• Factories that require Spare Parts
• Electronics businesses
• E-Commerce businesses
• Fashion businesses
• Businesses importing Samples
• Businesses requiring urgent Stock replenishment
• Businesses launching new Products
• Products with a limited Shelf Life
• Commercial Cargo requiring systematic documentation and Customs handling

If the goods are not urgent, have a very high weight or volume, and can be planned for in advance, Sea Freight may be another option worth comparing in terms of cost.

What Information Should You Prepare Before Requesting an Air Cargo Quote?

To help assess the route and freight charges as accurately as possible for the actual shipment, prepare the following:

• Product Name
• Product Description
• Photos
• Number of Packages
• Packed Dimensions
• Gross Weight
• Origin Country and City
• Destination Country and City
• Pickup Address
• Delivery Address
• Commercial Invoice
• Packing List
• Whether the goods contain a Battery
• Whether the goods are liquid
• Whether the goods are Dangerous Goods
• Whether temperature control is required
• Required Service Scope
• Ready Date

Complete information helps the team check the flight, airline, Chargeable Weight, and cargo requirements before booking.

Frequently Asked Questions About Air Cargo (FAQ)

Is Air Cargo Suitable for Heavy Goods?

Heavy goods can be transported in some cases, but dimensions, weight per package, and aircraft restrictions must be considered first. Oversize or Heavy Cargo may require a Cargo Aircraft or a specific route.

Are Air Cargo and Air Freight the Same Thing?

In general usage, both terms often refer to the transportation of goods by air. However, Air Freight is a broad term for air transportation, while Air Cargo often refers to the goods themselves and cargo services provided through airlines. Service details depend on the service provider.

Is Air Cargo Always Door to Door?

No. Services may include Door to Airport, Door to Door, and other options depending on the service scope. Check the quotation details before booking.

Are Freight Charges Based on Actual Weight or Volumetric Weight?

In general, Actual Weight is compared with Volumetric Weight, and the higher value is used as the Chargeable Weight, subject to the service conditions.

Do I Need to Declare Goods Containing Batteries in Advance?

Yes. This information should be provided before requesting a quotation because certain types of batteries may be classified as Dangerous Goods and affect airline acceptance, packaging, and required documentation.

Air Cargo Services with CPL INTER

CPL INTER provides air cargo transportation through airlines, along with pickup at origin, shipping document preparation, customs clearance, and delivery according to the shipment's service scope.

To request an Air Cargo assessment, prepare the product name, photos, number of packages, dimensions after packing, weight, origin, destination, and any special requirements. The CPL INTER team can then help check the route, flight, and suitable transportation options before booking.

Tel: 02-519-4426 / 091-519-4426
LINE: @cplinter

Written by: CPL Inter Logistics Operations Team, specialists in international freight transportation and customs clearance, with more than 15 years of experience and an internationally recognized ISO 9001:2015 quality management system.